February 16, 2008

Lady Jackets Snap Four Game Skid
   Box Score
   MSUB Season Stats
   Game Photos

BILLINGS, Mont. – After suffering a disappointing overtime loss last week to Seattle University, the Montana State Billings women’s basketball team rebounded with an 83-76 win over GNAC opponent Northwest Nazarene University Thursday night at Alterowitz.  The Lady Jackets improve to 9-13 overall with a 6-7 mark in league play, while the Crusaders fall to 16-7 and 9-5.

Five Yellowjackets scored in double figures and were led by Alira Carpenter’s (Lewistown) game-high 27 points.  Carpenter opened the half posting 21 points.  The junior guard went 9-of-16 from the floor in the game and was 5-of-9 from the perimeter.  Dani Henderson (Reed Point) and Kayla McPherson (Glendive) each contributed 12 points.  Henderson made her money at the charity stripe going 10-of-14.  Shantell Marquis (Cascade) and Jen Smith (Belgrade) chipped in 10 points apiece.  Freshman Kayla Ryan (Big Timber) pulled down a game and career-high 11 boards.

The Jackets opened up a 10-point lead at the 13-minute mark following a layup by Jetton Meadors (Billings) and built the point spread to 16 after a jumper by Marquis and a three by Meadors with 7:40 left in the half.  The Crusaders cut the deficit to six with 1:43 to go but a 6-0 run by the Lady Jackets carried them to the locker room with the 12-point advantage.

A lull midway through the second half by MSUB allowed the Crusaders to chip away at the Jackets’ 12-point lead, cutting it to six, with less than seven minutes remaining in the contest.  Mallory Whipple nailed a jumper to bring NNU within two possessions of the lead, but a pair of Marquis’ free throws in the final seconds iced the conference win.

The Jackets shot 25-of-57 from the floor for 44 percent while connecting on 9-of-15 for a blistering 60 percent.  MSUB was 24-of-35 from the line for 69 percent.  The Lady Jackets outrebounded the Crusaders 43-38.

Janee Olds led the Crusaders notching 16 points off 8-of-15 shooting.  Lindsay Brady added 11, while her teammate Nichole Schutte posted a double-double of 10 points and 10 rebounds.

NNU shot 28-of-66 from the field for 43 percent and were a cold 3-of-11 from long range for 27 percent.  The Crusaders connected on just 17-of-31 from the line for 55 percent.  NNU forced 23 Yellowjacket turnovers.

The Lady Jackets are set to host Seattle Pacific University on Saturday, February 23rd.  Tip off is slated for 7 p.m. at Alterowitz Gym.  Live stats, live video stream, and a free internet broadcast can be found on the Yellowjackets web site.