By Ryan Divish/Havre Daily News Sports Editor/rdivish@havredailynews.com
While snow falls in Havre, the Montana State University-Northern women's basketball team is basking in the somewhat fairer weather of Los Angeles. The Skylights are also winning some basketball games too.
Northern picked up a 59-55 win over NCAA Division III Occidental College on Wednesday after a long Christmas break.
In the first half, the remnants of a long break from competition showed as the Skylights shot a paltry 26 percent from the field. However, Occidental's shooting was worse as the Tigers shot 24 percent from the field.
Northern did convert eight of nine free throws and sank three three-pointers to take a 23-21 lead.
Both teams picked it up in the second half, but Northern played just a little better, burying six three-pointers and making eight of 10 free throws to make the difference.
Northern overcame 22 turnovers by outrebounding Occidental 40 to 24 and making 16 of 19 free throws. Occidental only attempted eight free throws in the game.
Camille Gardner played her finest game as a Skylight, scoring a season-high 21 points, grabbing seven rebounds and picking up two steals and two assists.
Michele VanDyke had a solid game off the bench, scoring 11 points, while Megan Valgardson scored 10 points and grabbed nine rebounds in the win.
Northern will be in action again today in L.A. when it faces Biola College.
MSU-Northern 59, Occidental College 55
MSU-NORTHERN (12-4)
Jessi Reome 3-14 0-0 9; Camille Gardner 6-9 4-4 21; Jaci Heny 2-5 0-0 5; DeLayne Johnston 0-1 2-2 3; Megan Valgardson 1-5 8-10 10; Heather Riener 0-1 0-0 0; Kristie Pullin 0-2 0-0 0; Jena Heggem 0-2 0-0 0; Michele VanDyke 5-6 1-2 11; Ashley Trulock 0-3 0-0 0. Totals: 17-48 16-19 59.
OCCIDENTAL COLLEGE (3-4)
Tia Dura 2-5 0-0 6; Lindsay White 41 2-2 11; Amelia Abernathy 5-16 0-0 10; Adamak Ajaelo 6-12 2-2 17; Emiy Van Houweling 3-7 3-4 9; Anais Janoyan 1-4 0-0 2. Totals: 21-60 7-8 55.
Halftime score: MSU-N 23, OC 21. Three-point goals: MSU-N 9-24 (Reome 3-10, Gardner 5-8, Heny 1-3, Riener 0-1, Pullin 0-1, Heggem 0-1), OC 6-17 (Dura 2-3, White 1-9, Ajaelo 3-3, Janoyan 0-2). Rebounds: MSU-N 40 (Valgardson 9, Gardner 7); OC 24 (Van Houweling 9) Assists: MSU-N 15 (Pullin 4); OC 17 (Dura 5, White 5). Turnovers: MSU-N 22, OC 12. Total fouls: MSU-N 10, OC 13. Fouled out: none; Technicals: none.
