MSUN pulls away late to defeat Bruins in Frontier matchup

Box Score
Frontier Standings

BELLEVUE, Neb. -- Montana State University–Northern used a strong second half and a decisive advantage on the offensive glass to defeat Bellevue University 75–63 on Friday evening in Frontier Conference women's basketball action at the BU Fieldhouse.

MSUN (4–1, 2–0 Frontier) outscored BU 42–33 after halftime and finished with 20 offensive rebounds, converting them into 18 second-chance points. Bellevue (3–3, 0–2 Frontier) received double-doubles from both Joy Beran and Zakiyyah Muhammad, but the Bruins could not overcome 22 turnovers or the Skylights' timely scoring stretches.

The first half featured six ties and five lead changes, with BU holding a 23–16 edge midway through the second quarter after a 10–4 stretch sparked by baskets from Muhammad and Coleman. MSUN answered with a 17–7 run over the final 4:43 of the period, capitalizing on three BU turnovers and late baskets by Trottier and Gunn to take a 33–30 lead into the break.

The Skylights carried that momentum into the third quarter, opening the frame on an 11–2 run fueled by Gunn's layup, Melcher's three-pointer, and a pair of transition scores by Trottier and Ciera Agasiva. Bellevue responded as Russell drilled a right-wing three-pointer and Muhammad converted inside to pull the Bruins within 44–40 at the 3:23 mark. MSUN countered with another surge, using a 10–5 sequence highlighted by baskets from HisBadHorse and Trottier to build a 54–45 cushion heading into the fourth.

BU made multiple pushes in the final frame. Beran scored twice in the lane, and Coleman's driving finish made it 56–51 with 7:27 to play. On each occasion, MSUN had an answer. HisBadHorse scored through traffic, and Gunn connected from beyond the arc with 3:39 left to extend the margin to nine. The Skylights then added seven points over the final 90 seconds—including three late free throws and a pair of putbacks from HisBadHorse—to close out the win.

Top Performers

Bellevue University

Joy Beran — 16 points, 11 rebounds, 2 steals (second double-double of the season)

Zakiyyah Muhammad — 15 points, 11 rebounds (third double-double of the season)

Jhanel Coleman — 13 points, 1 three-pointer, 2 assists

Emma Russell — 9 points, 5 rebounds

Drasoni Kyles — 5 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist

Montana State University–Northern

Lauren Gunn — 16 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists

Canzas HisBadHorse — 16 points, 6 rebounds, 3 blocks

Taya Trottier — 14 points, 4 assists, 3 steals

Ciera Agasiva — 12 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists

Becky Melcher — 9 points, 5 rebounds

Inside the Numbers

BU shot 42.6% from the field and 73.7% at the free-throw line.

MSUN attempted 21 more field goals and held a 20–13 advantage in offensive rebounds.

The Skylights produced a 25–4 margin in points off turnovers.

Both teams finished with 38 points in the paint.

BU outrebounded MSUN 43–41, including 30 defensive boards.

Six ties and five lead changes occurred, all before halftime. 

Up Next

BU returns to the BU Fieldhouse on Saturday, Nov. 22, hosting (RV) the University of Providence at 5 p.m. in Frontier Conference play.