Lady Jackets Swarm Falcons, 97-60 (2/17/07)
Box Score
Game Photos
Coach Kevin Woodin post game audio
 

BILLINGS, MT – The Montana State-Billings women's basketball team shot out the lights in a 97-60 win over Texas - Permian Basin Saturday.  The Yellowjackets improve to 19-8 overall with the non-conference win, while the Falcons dropped to 0-21.  Tonight’s win represented senior night where Jennifer Skrivfars (Brea, CA) and Michelle Lieber (Gillette, WY) said goodbye to Alterowitz Gym.

Both teams started sluggish taking over two minutes for the first points to be scored.  The Falcons kept the Jackets’ lead in check until the 7:50 mark of the first half when the Lady Jackets opened up the lead to a dozen on one of Alira Carpenter’s (Lewistown, MT) five 3-pointers of the night.

The Yellowjackets steadily built the lead taking the 24-point advantage to the locker room.  The second half of the game was icing on the cake as the Lady Jackets offered a free-clinic in shooting.  The Jackets’ Carpenter and Kayla McPherson (Glendive, MT) were hot from the perimeter combining for 11 of the team’s 15 threes.

The Jackets had three players score in double figures and were led by Carpenter’s 29 points.  She shot 11-of-18 from the field and connected on 5-of-10 from long range.  McPherson scored a career-high 25 points and matched her game-high knocking down six 3-pointers.  She was 6-of-10 from 3-point range and 8-of-12 from the field.  Dani Henderson (Reed Point, MT) turned in a big night in the lanes posting a double-double with a career-high 17 points and 12 rebounds.  She was 6-of-9 from the floor and 5-of-9 from the charity stripe.

As a team the Jackets showed their usual spark shooting 33-of-71 from the field and connected on 15-of-30 three-pointers for 50 percent.  The Lady Jackets were 16-of-28 from the line and out-rebounded the Falcons 48-38.  The team also grabbed 10 steals in the game.

“We shot well from the perimeter,” said Yellowjacket head coach Kevin Woodin.  “To have both Alira and Kayla hitting from the outside, it really opens up the lanes and gives us multiple options.”

The Falcons’ Amanda Synatschk led her team netting 19 points on 7-of-9 shooting from the field and 5-of-6 from 3-point land.  Her sister Amy Synatschk and Kassi Meacham each added 10 points.

Permian Basin shot 24-of-57 from the field and was 6-of-14 from 3-point range.  The Falcons were a chilly 8-of-18 from the line for 44 percent.  They turned the ball over 23 times leading to 31 Yellowjacket points.

“We are looking forward to our trip to Texas and ultimately want to be playing our best basketball by the time we travel to Denton for the Heartland Conference Tournament March 3 and 4,” added Woodin.

The Lady Jackets have a two-game road trip next week against Texas A&M – International February 22 and Heartland Conference opponent St. Edward’s on February 24.  Both games can be heard live on AM 970 KBUL.