Lady Yellowjackets Outlast Western Washington in OT (Nov. 20, 2004)
Box Score

BILLINGS, MT – Montana State-Billings women’s basketball coach Kevin Woodin made his collegiate coaching debut with an 88-78 overtime win against Western Washington on Saturday night.  The Yellowjackets (1-0) outscored the Vikings 17-7 in the overtime period to win their season opener.  The Vikings (0-1) were also playing their first game of the season.

“It was an amazing game to begin a season with,” said Woodin, who was also celebrating his birthday on Saturday.  “There were so many runs throughout the game by both teams.  I really liked the way we responded when they came back in the second half.”

The Yellowjackets led 39-33 at halftime after a late first half run.  MSU Billings trailed by seven, 31-24, with only five and a half minutes left in the opening half following a basket by Western’s Tina Donahue.  The Yellowjackets closed the half with a 15-2 run.  Senior Robyn Milne (Richey, MT) had six points and two assists during the run.

Lisa Jellum’s (Jr., Gillette, WY) 3-pointer at 16:38 of the second half gave MSU Billings its largest lead of the game at 49-38.  The Vikings responded with an 11-0 run to tie the game with 11:28 remaining.  Jodi Gerald’s basket knotted the game at 49-49.

Donahue nearly scored the final six points of regulation to carry the Vikings to victory.  Her basket with 35 seconds on the clock gave Western a 71-69 lead.  Out of a timeout, the Yellowjackets went to forward Tanya Petersen (Jr., Billings, MT), who posted up in the lane and was fouled going to the basket with 12 ticks on the clock.   Western tried to ice Petersen with timeouts on each of her free throws, but she drained both to force the extra period.  The Vikings’ Gerald had a shot from the baseline to win the game as time expired, but missed the jumper.

MSU Billings scored the first seven points of the overtime period, capped by a 3-pointer from Jenny Langford (Jr., Reedpoint, MT) at the 2:59 mark.  Langford scored five of her 17 points in overtime.

“We did a very good job of getting the ball inside,” added Woodin.  “Our free throw shooting was a big factor as well, and I liked the fact that we made several crucial ones down the stretch.  All of our players contributed, but Robyn was outstanding throughout the game.  Jenny’s 3-pointer in overtime was a big shot, and without Tanya’s free throws at the end of regulation we probably don’t get to the overtime.”

Milne scored a career-high 29 points on 11-of-15 shooting from the field and a perfect 7-of-7 from the line.  She also grabbed 10 rebounds and handed out a career-high eight assists. 

Langford knocked down three of the Yellowjackets’ five 3-pointers and finished with 17 points.  She also dished out seven assists.  Petersen added 18 points, 12 of them coming at the line.  Michelle Lieber (So., Gillette, WY) finished with 10 points and eight rebounds. 

The Vikings were led by Gerald’s 24 points on 9-of-15 shooting.  She was 4-of-7 from behind the arc.  Donahue finished with 23 points and four assists.  Samantha Hubbard netted 16 points and also handed out four assists.

The Yellowjackets continue their season-opening home stand next Friday and Saturday against Ohio Valley College (WV).  Tip off for both games is 6:00 p.m. at Alterowitz Gym.

Click HERE for photos of the Lady Jackets vs. Western Washington