The Lumberjacks women dropped a heartbreaker Wednesday night. The United Tribes Thunderbirds rallied in the second half to defeat the Jacks 76-75.

The Lumberjacks started the game on a 10-0 run. UTTC would respond with an 8-0 run of their own. DCB would take back control and lead 19-14 after the first quarter. Amari Butler paced the Jacks with 10 first quarter points. In the second quarter DCB locked in on both ends of the floor and pulled away. The Jacks held the Thunderbirds to just 1-12 (8%) from beyond the arc. Offensively Hanna Plumbtree and Kiara Comeaux combined for 15 points in the quarter. At the half the Lumberjacks held a 41-27 lead.

The third quarter was a quarter of runs. UTTC opened the second half on a 14-2 run to bring them within two of the Lumberjacks at 43-41. DCB responded with an 11-3 run to push their lead back to 10 at 54-44. The Thunderbirds closed the quarter on a 9-3 run to bring them within four at 57-53. After the teams traded baskets in the opening minutes of the fourth quarter UTTC would knock down a three from the top of the key to take the lead 59-58. A quick 5-0 run would see the Thunderbirds lead 64-58 and force a DCB timeout. Out of the timeout the Jacks defense would lock in and get a few much-needed stops offensively DCB would get the UTTC lead down to one at 64-63. With just over a minute remaining the Thunderbirds would push their lead to seven at 76-69. The Jacks weren't done though as Comeaux would attack the basket score and get fouled. Comeaux missed the free throw, but the Lumberjacks would pull down the offensive rebound. On the ensuing possession she would be fouled again and miss both free throws. Karrington Eugene would pull down the offensive rebound and put it back up and in to cut the deficit to three at 76-73 with 46 seconds left. After a UTTC timeout Comeaux would steal the inbound pass, score, and get fouled again cutting the lead to just one. Comeaux would make the free throw, but would be called for a violation, keeping the Thunderbird lead at one. On the ensuing UTTC possession, Rozalind Strong would steal a pass and get the ball down to the Jacks end of the floor. DCB would call a timeout with 7.0 remaining to try and draw up a winning play. The Jacks would get a couple of looks in the closing seconds, but none would fall. UTTC would hold on for a 76-75 win.

Butler led all scorers and three Lumberjacks in double figures with 27 points and pulled down 11 rebounds for a double double. Comeaux and Plumbtree each had 17 points and Plumbtree pulled down 13 rebounds for a double-double. Alionna Lawerence led UTTC with 17 points.

With the loss DCB falls to 14-15 overall and 8-12 inside the Mon-Dak. The Jacks find themselves one game behind the Thunderbirds for the right to host the opening round of the region tournament next Wednesday. The Jacks can earn the host rights with a win Sunday afternoon at home against Williston State and a United Tribes loss to NDSCS. Sundays game against Williston State will be Sophomore Day and tipoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.