BOZEMAN, Mont. – The Northwest Nazarene women's basketball team lost 80-57 on Monday in an exhibition game against NCAA Division I Montana State.

After a strong first quarter, the Nighthawks struggled in the second being outscored 27-3 which put the game out of reach.

"We didn't have a field goal in the second quarter and we missed 10 free throws in the game," NNU coach Steve Steele said. "We actually could've been right there. If we just hit a couple of shots in the second quarter … but we've got to hit free throws"

The Nighthawks outscored the Bobcats in the first and fourth quarters and their full-court press was strong throughout the game, but NNU couldn't make up for the cold shooting early on.

"They are a Division I team and they are picked to win their conference this year and deservedly so," Steele said. "They are long and athletic and deep and they can score from every position and they are extremely well coached.

"This whole weekend was really good for us. Both teams were well coached and played different. Hopefully, we learned a lot."

The Nighthawks defeated Montana Western 60-56 on Saturday in another exhibition.

NNU opens its regular season at 1 p.m. MST on Friday against Hawaii Pacific at Central Washington.