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HELENA, Mont. - The No. 16-ranked Carroll Women's Basketball team made the most of their first home Frontier Conference game of the 2025-26 season, pulling away for a 70-48 win over Bismarck State on Friday evening at the CC PE Center.

With five Frontier games already in the books - all on the road - the PE Center was a welcome sight for the Fighting Saints as they utilized a strong defensive effort in the second half to cruise to a 22-point win over the Mystics.

Carroll came out of the gates hot, jumping out to an 8-2 lead in the first five minutes, but the Mystics would find their footing midway through the frame. The Saints held an 18-16 lead after one, thanks to an eight-point effort from Jillian Kanduch (Miles City, Mont. / FR), who went 3-4 in the frame.

The second quarter was another dogfight, as the teams exchanged blows throughout. Kanduch added five more points in the frame, while Kennedi Niemann (Cody, Wyo. / R-SO) and Ava Oakland (Boise, Idaho / SR) both added four points off the bench to help Carroll extend their lead to four at the halftime break, 38-34.

As Carroll fans have become accustomed to, the Saints ratcheted up the defensive pressure in the second half with some terrific adjustments out of the break. Carroll limited the Mystics just 14 total points in the second half, with only three field goals allowed.

Kanduch continued her strong play in the third, adding six more points, and then Kenzie Allen (Grantsville, Utah / JR) helped close the door for good with a nine-point effort in the fourth - going a perfect 3-3 from range.

The Carroll defense was the difference in the bounce-back win, as they held Bismarck State to just 27 percent from the floor for the game (15-56), and forced 17 turnovers.

Kenzie Allen was as impressive as she's been all season, as her nine fourth quarter points lifted her to a 16-point, 10-rebound double-double, in addition to her team-high four assists and three steals.

Kanduch led all scorers, finishing with 19 points, three boards, and three assists.

Meagan Karstetter (Moses Lake, Wash. / SR), Willa Albrecht (Billings, Mont. / R-SR) and Kennedi Niemann all finished with seven points.

The Saints will look to complete the season sweep of Dickinson State tomorrow night, as they host the Blue Hawks at the PE Center at 5 p.m.