Harvey’s 3-Pointer Lifts Lady Jackets to Win (Jan. 3, 2005) 
Box Score

NAMPA, ID – Shannon Harvey’s 3-pointer with 58 seconds on the clock gave Montana State-Billings a 66-65 win at Northwest Nazarene on Monday.  Just one possession after committing a turnover, Harvey (So., Billings, MT) drilled her fourth triple of the game with the Jackets trailing by two, and the Yellowjacket defense withstood two Crusaders shot attempts in the final 42 seconds to improve to 10-2.  It was an important regional win for the Jackets, who are now 5-2 in West Region play.

“It was a hard fought game the entire way,” said Yellowjacket coach Kevin Woodin.  “I thought we did things better in the second half.  In the first half they really beat us on the boards.  Shannon hit a big three with about a minute to go and we found a way to get a good road win.”

The Yellowjackets trailed by four at halftime, 37-33.  MSU Billings started the second half with a 7-2 run to take a 40-39 lead just two minutes into the half.  The lead changed hands throughout the final 18 minutes with neither team leading by more than five points. 

Michelle Lieber (So., Gillette, WY) gave MSU Billings a 63-62 lead with 2:50 to play with her jumper in the paint.  Karen Gonzalez hit a 3-pointer for the Crusaders on the next possession, giving NNU a two point lead and setting up Harvey’s heroics.  Gonzalez and Danielle Pridgen each missed potential game winning shots in the final minute for the Crusaders.

Harvey finished with 14 points, hitting 4-of-8 from behind the arc.  Lieber scored a game-high 16 points, connecting on 8-of-9 from the field.  She also pulled down seven rebounds.

The Crusaders’ defense packed down on the Yellowjacket post players, forcing the perimeter players to make shots.  Center Robyn Milne (Sr., Richey, MT) scored just four points, but grabbed 19 rebounds and handed out eight assists.  She also had a career-high eight blocked shots.

Tanya Petersen (Jr., Billings, MT) added 11 points for the Yellowjackets.  Jenny Langford (Jr., Reedpoint, MT) made the Jackets’ other two 3-pointers, finishing with seven points.  Kayla Frize (Jr., Miles City, MT) also netted seven points.

The Crusaders were led by Pridgen’s 14 points and seven rebounds.  Faith Sacht added 13 points, connecting on 3-of-3 from behind the arc.   

The Yellowjackets return home to host St. Martin’s in a regional game on Thursday.  Tip off is set for 7:00 p.m. at Alterowitz Gymnasium.