Lady Jackets Fall to No. 25 Griffons (12/2/06)
Box Score
Coach Woodin's post game comments

ST. JOSEPH, MO –   Going against a team that has won 24-straight non-conference home games, Montana State – Billings could not overcome a 17-point halftime deficit, eventually falling 75-56 to Missouri Western State.  The Griffons continued their roll and are a perfect 5-0 on the season.  Saturday’s loss dropped the Lady Jackets to 2-3 overall.

The Griffons built a four-point lead to open the game, but a layup by Michelle Lieber (Gillette, WY) and a 3-pointer by Jen Smith (Belgrade, MT) gave the Lady Jackets their only lead of the game at the 17:42 mark.  Missouri Western gained a double-digit lead that they never relinquished following a layup by Jill Johnson.  A Griffon 3-pointer at the end of the half gave Missouri Western the 39-22 lead going into the locker room.

The Griffons continued to dominate the court throughout the second half bouncing their lead from 15 to as many as 27.  Lieber hit a free throw and a layup in the final two minutes of the game, but the Griffons were just too much for the Jackets going on to win by 19.

“I really liked the way we played tonight against a top 25 team,” said Yellowjacket head coach Kevin Woodin.  “We protected the ball much better tonight, but we didn’t shoot well.  We left a lot of open looks, but as the season progresses we will be more consistent in making those shots.”

The Lady Jackets were led by Lieber with 22 points and seven rebounds.  Lieber shot 9-of-13 from the field and was 4-of-6 from the free throw line.  Jetton Meadors (Billings, MT) posted 10 points on 4-of-7 shooting and grabbed four boards.

“Our effort was good tonight and we hustled on the court,” added Woodin.  “Michelle (Lieber) played consistent and was effective both inside and in the mid-post range.”

As a team the Jackets were 19-of-60 from the field for 31.7 percent and 4-of-17 from behind the arc for 23.5 percent.  The team shot 82.4 percent from the charity stripe going 14-of-17.  The Lady Jackets were out-rebounded 33-41 by the Griffons.

Johnson led all scorers with 23 points posting a double-double with 13 rebounds.  Johnson shot 10-of-18 from the field and was an even .500 from behind the arc going 3-of-6.  Johnson’s teammate Javois Yanique netted 21 points and four rebounds 

The Griffons shot 31-of-65 from the field and an efficient 9-of-23 from three-point range for 39.1 percent.  The Griffons were just 4-of-6 from the line.

The Yellowjackets return to Alterowitz Gymnasium December 6 when they host Montana State University–Northern (6-3).  The last meeting between the Skylights and Lady Jackets was February 2004 when the Yellowjackets won 79-71.  Tip off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.

“We are looking forward to the challenge of hosting MSU-Northern of Wednesday as they have a fine team,” said Woodin.  “We will need to be ready.”