BISMARCK, N.D. – A tight three-quarter battle slipped away from Bismarck State on Friday evening as (RV) Providence (Mont.) used a dominant fourth quarter to pull away for a 90-68 Frontier Conference win at the BSC Armory.
The Mystics trailed just 37-29 at halftime and responded with their strongest stretch of the night in the third, outscoring Providence 30-25 to pull within three entering the final period.
Kennedy Stormer led BSC with 24 points and seven rebounds, consistently attacking the paint to keep the Mystics within striking distance. Natalie DeCoteau added 15 points off the bench, while Alionna Lawrence and Kali Dauenhauer each hit a pair of three-pointers as BSC found rhythm from deep in the third quarter.
Providence answered with a decisive closing run, shooting over 70 percent in the fourth and holding the Mystics to just nine points. The Argonauts capitalized on efficient perimeter shooting and second-chance opportunities to stretch the margin late.
Bismarck State finished the night 9-of-46 from beyond the arc and shot 32 percent from the field.
With the loss, BSC falls to 6-13 and 6-9 in the Frontier, while Providence improves to 13-9 (9-7). The Argos maintain their two-and-a-half game lead over the Mystics for the sixth spot in the standings. BSC now leads Montana Western by a half-game with seven conference games to play.
The Mystics are back at home tomorrow, Jan. 31, as they welcome another ranked conference opponent, (RV) MSU-Northern. The Skylights are 14-6 overall and 10-5 in conference play, currently sitting fifth in the Frontier. They defeated Dickinson State on Friday, 92-82.
Following Saturday's game, the Mystics will make it a tripleheader for the weekend as they head to Grand Forks on Sunday, Feb. 1, to take on Division-I North Dakota. That game at the Betty Engelstad Sioux Center is set for 1 p.m., having been rescheduled from Dec. 9.
Check out the
women's schedule for information on how to follow and watch the team, and attend the final three home games.
Be sure to visit BSCMystics.com and download the MysticNation app to continue to stay up to date with everything going on in Mystic Athletics.
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