BISMARCK, N.D. – Bismarck State women's basketball played (RV) MSU-Northern to the wire Saturday evening, but fell just short in a 75-70 conference loss at the BSC Armory.

The Mystics found themselves down 16 points as the score read 69-53 with just 2:49 remaining in the game. From there, they began a steep march back into the game to give themselves a chance at the upset, with the clock working against them.

Their quick offense and intense defense brought the lead down to 11, by a successful Skylight three-point play rebuilt the lead to 14 with 1:24 remaining and appeared for the moment to be the dagger.

But the Mystics wouldn't go down without a fight. Kali Dauenhauer and Kennedy Stormer each converted a pair of free throws before each sank a three to cut the lead to four points in just under a minute. Both shots were set up by unrelenting defense from Piper Harris, who traded places with Dauenhauer to provide the big defensive stops, including a steal that led to Stormer's three.

The game was within reach now at 72-68 with 25 seconds to go. MSU-Northern converted one of two free throws and Dauenhauer connected on both her opportunities to make it a one score game, 73-70, with 11 seconds remaining. 

The Mystics' final hope relied on getting a defensive stop, which they appeared to get on the sideline inbound coming out of the timeout, but the Skylights narrowly avoided an over-and-back violation, and BSC had no option but to foul. MSU-Northern converted the ensuing free throws to solidify a hard fought, 75-70 victory.

Kennedy Stormer led the Mystics once again with 30 points, seven rebounds and five steals, her second 30-point game of the season. Kali Dauenhauer was behind her with 10 points off the bench.

Bismarck State finished the night 7-of-25 from beyond the arc and shot 37 percent from the field, while the Skylight converted on 43 percent of their shots and went 8-of-19 from deep.

With the loss, BSC falls to 6-14 and 6-10 in the Frontier, while the Skylights improve to 15-6 (11-5). The Mystics are now tied with Montana Western for the seven seed with six conference games to play, and hold a slim one-game advantage over Bellevue (Neb.) for that final playoff spot.

Following Saturday's game, the Mystics will make it a triple header for the weekend as they head to Grand Forks on Sunday, Feb. 1, to take on Division-I North Dakota (5-17, 2-7). The Fighting Hawks are coming off an exciting one-point come-from-behind victory Saturday against Denver, 73-72, in a game they trailed by 14 in the final period.

Sunday's 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 two 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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