March 4, 2005
The University of Texas-Pan American women's basketball team fell in Independent Tournament action, 49-44, against Northern Colorado on Friday (Mar. 4) in Orem, UT.
The Lady Broncs would jump out to an early lead, 10-4, after Dominique Montague (Gilbert, AZ/Central Arizona College) connected on a three-pointer with 14:34 remaining in the half. Montague would hit again from deep in first half action to give the Lady Broncs an eight-point advantage, 19-11, with 7:45 to go. UTPA was able to hold that lead and head into intermission with a five-point cushion after the Bears connected on a three of their own at the buzzer to end the half.
The Bears would then go to work early in the second half cutting the lead to one after a jumper from Kirsten Van Orden with 19:02 on the clock. Montague would net her third trey of the contest to push the lead back to four at the 17:00 mark.
The Lady Broncs were then able to keep a small lead over the Bears until mid-way through the second half when they captured the lead by one after a three-point make from Molly McGrath. With 5:47 remaining and the game tempo in their favor, Northern Colorado would connect on three consecutive offensive possessions to take their largest lead of the game 43-36.
A lay-up from MaHogany Daniel (Corpus Christi, TX/Mary Carroll H.S.) would get the Lady Broncs back to within five, 43-38, with 4:58 to go. After two defensive stops, UTPA would get the ball into the hands of Devin Reed (Indianapolis, IN/Crowley County C.C.) who would hit from behind the arc to bring the team within two with just under three minutes to play.
With 1:37 on the clock, UNC's Nicole Ford would hit a jumper to take the lead back by four, 45-41. However, with time running down the Lady Broncs responded quickly with a three-point make from senior Ashley Roberts (Hernando, MS/Butler County C.C.) that would cut the lead to one 45-44. In an effort to stop the clock, the Lady Broncs fouled the Bears who would connect on four free throws down the stretch to seal the 49-44 victory.
The Lady Broncs were led by the shooting performance of Montague who connected on three from deep, and finished with a game-high performance of 11 points. Reed also finished with a solid performance of nine points, including two from deep.
The loss takes the team to 14-13 with one game remaining in the season. The team will play their final game of the season at the Independent Tournament tomorrow (Feb. 5) tipping off at 4:30 p.m. The Lady Broncs competition is to be determined as tournament play continues tonight.
UTPA Sports Information
