Montana women cruise to 17th Big Sky title

MISSOULA – Northern Colorado held a healthy 13-point lead over Montana in the first half of the Big Sky Conference women’s championship game on Saturday.

But after a 20-4 run in the second half and an unlikely hero in senior Maggie Rickman, Montana became Big Sky champions for the 17th time, beating the Bears 60-49 in Dahlberg Arena.

Rickman scored 20 points, 18 in the second half, to help Montana earn its 21st berth into the NCAA tournament.

Big Sky co-MVP Kellie Rubel added 14 points for Montana.

“Unbelievable game,” Montana coach Robin Selvig said. “I thought they were pretty dominant in the first half, we were having a hard time. I was wondering how we were going to turn it around in the second half.”

Montana struggled mightily to shoot the ball, going 8 of 31 from the field and 0 of 7 from 3-point range. The Lady Griz didn’t make a 3-pointer all game.

D’Shara Strange had 23 points for Northern Colorado (20-12).