(Story contribution by RMC Athletics)
BILLINGS – Rocky Mountain College secured a spot in the semifinals of the Frontier Conference Playoffs with a 72-46 victory over the MSU-Northern Skylights on Tuesday night.
But it may have been a costly win as senior playmaker Alecia Chamberlin was carried off the court seconds into the fourth quarter with what appeared to be a right ankle injury.
Rocky (20-11) started strong. By the end of the first period, Markaela Francis had already scored 12 points as the Battlin’ Bears led 23-8.
The Skylights (13-18) were able to draw the score to 25-18 in the second period, but a quick pair of buckets by Brooke Jones put the Battlin’ Bears up by 13. Rocky led by double digits the rest of the way.
Shooting 9-of-12 from the field, Francis ended the night with a team-high 20 points and seven rebounds. Justyn Juhl scored 16 points with six rebounds. Alecia Chamberlin scored five points with eight assists.
Rocky shot 52 percent from the floor and drained 7-of-14 from beyond the arc. MSU-Northern was held to a 32.7 field goal percentage. The Battlin’ Bears out-rebounded the Skylights 35-27.
The Skylights were led by Allix Goldhahn who scored 13 points in the loss. Sydney Hovde posted a 10 point performance with six rebounds.
The Battlin’ Bears will continue their season on March 1 in the semifinals of the Frontier Conference Playoffs. They will face the No. 7 ranked Carroll College Fighting Saints in Helena, Mont.
