HELENA, Mont. - The No. 11 Carroll College Women's Basketball team earned sole possession of the Frontier Conference lead on Thursday, beating No. 22 Rocky Mountain College 65-47 in Helena.

In a much anticipated battle for first place in the Frontier Conference, the Fighting Saints (17-5, 8-1), behind a tremendous defensive effort, picked up another one-sided victory, beating No. 22 Rocky Mountain College (15-6, 7-2) at the Carroll College PE Center.

Jamie Pickens (Helena, Mont. / SR) set the tone for the Saints early, scoring the first points of the game on the opening possession, and giving fans a preview of what was to come. Carroll would go on to grow their lead to as much as 10 points in the first, but the Battlin' Bears would score the final four points of the quarter, cutting the Saints lead to 15-9 heading into the second.

Carroll's defense, ranked No. 2 in the NAIA in points per game, would flex its muscle in the second quarter. The Saints suffocated the Rocky offense, allowing only four total points in the quarter on a measly 12.5 percent shooting from the field. Carroll would carry a 26-13 lead into halftime.

Rocky's Ky Buell would score eight of the Bears' 19 third quarter points, but Carroll would once again outscore Rocky and extend their lead to 15 heading into the fourth. 

The Saints, who led wire-to-wire, would outscore the Bears for the fourth-consecutive quarter, led by Pickens' seven final quarter points, cruising to a 65-47 win and a Frontier Conference lead.

Pickens led all scorers, posting another double-double after finishing with 24 points and 10 rebounds. Sienna Swannack (Nine Mile Falls, Wash. / GR) also had a good showing for the Saints, finishing with 10 points four rebounds and three assists. Kamden Hilborn (Clancy, Mont. / GR) posted a game-high eight assists to go alongside four points.'

Rocky's Ky Buell (12) and Kloie Thatcher (8) combined for 20 points to lead the Battlin' Bears in the loss.

The Carroll Women will now turn their attention towards a quick road trip to Great Falls on Saturday, squaring off with Providence for the second time this season.

Visit www.carrollathletics.com for a preview of that game, and to stay up to date with everything going on in Carroll Athletics.