The Montana Lady Griz faced a tough setback on Saturday afternoon, having their four-game winning streak brought to an end by Sacramento State, who secured a 64-57 victory at Dahlberg Arena.
Rubi Gray led the way for the Hornets (11-11 overall, 5-4 Big Sky) with an impressive 18 points, while Benthe Versteeg and Natalie Picton, a former Montana State guard, contributed 17 points each. Versteeg not only scored effectively but also recorded seven assists, whereas Picton added eight rebounds to her performance. The Hornets demonstrated solid shooting, finishing the game with a field goal percentage of 43.4% and successfully hitting 8 out of 18 attempts from beyond the arc.
The game was tightly contested throughout, with both teams tied at 29 points at halftime. In the third quarter, Sacramento State pulled ahead by establishing a double-digit lead at 49-39. The Lady Griz fought back, scoring eight consecutive points that closed the gap. However, despite several efforts to regain the lead, including a near comeback triggered by a three-pointer from Jocelyn Land that brought the score to 56-55, they were unable to surpass the Hornets. Picton’s crucial baskets late in the game proved decisive in securing the win for Sacramento State.
For Montana (7-14 overall, 4-6 Big Sky), Avery Waddington, who had recently set a career-high with 31 points, finished with 16, while Draya Wacker added 10 points. The Lady Griz struggled with their shooting, managing only 35.5% from the field and making 11 of 41 attempts from three-point range. They were also out-rebounded 41 to 32 in the match.
On a positive note, Montana welcomed back point guard Mack Konig, who returned to the lineup after a seven-game absence due to a foot injury. In her comeback, Konig scored two points on 1-for-6 shooting and contributed three assists in 20 minutes of play.
The Lady Griz will look to bounce back as they head to Eastern Washington on Thursday and will face Idaho next Saturday, presenting them with an opportunity to regain their momentum in the Big Sky Conference.