Lady Yellowjackets Use Defense to Hold Down MSU-Northern (December 14, 2002)

BILLINGS, MT – The MSU Billings defense held MSU-Northern (2-8) to a 25-percent field goal percentage Saturday night as the Lady Yellowjackets won 58-41 to improve to 6-2.  The Jackets held the Lights to 18 second-half points to open a seven-point halftime lead.

MSU Billings, coming off only its second loss of the season, was led by senior Natalie Visger’s game-high 18 points and 10 rebounds.  While the Jackets’ offense had rough spots of its own, nine different players scored for MSUB.  Senior Jessica Bachmann added nine points and six rebounds, and freshman Tanya Petersen had eight points and five boards. 

The Yellowjackets out-shot the Lights 44- to 29-percent from the field in the first half.  MSU Billings didn’t shoot a free throw in the opening stanza, but the Yellowjackets defense created enough opportunities to lead 30-23.

MSU Billings extended that lead by forcing the Lights into 6-of-29 shooting from the field in the second half.  Despite an uncharacteristic 8-of-18 from the free throw line, the Yellowjackets had enough offense to pull away.

Senior Jessie Henigman score five points, grabbed five rebounds, and blocked three shots for the Yellowjackets.  Sophomore Kayla Frize added seven points, five rebounds and four assists.  Senior Amy Bantz played 18 minutes for the Jackets in only her third appearance of the season after tearing her ACL in the preseason.  MSUB hopes to have center Robyn Milne back from a broken hand within the next few weeks as well.

The Yellowjackets’ school record 25-game home winning streak will be put to the test on Wednesday, December 18 when they host No. 13 Western Washington.  The last time the Yellowjackets lost at home was January 4, 2001 when the lost 84-64 to Western Washington.  Since then, MSUB has won 25 straight.