Lady Yellowjackets Continue to Roll, Crush Seattle (January 2, 2003)

LAIE, HI – Natalie Visger scored the first basket of the game and the MSU Billings Lady Yellowjackets never trailed as they dominated Seattle University 78-43 Thursday afternoon at a tournament in Laie, Hawaii.  Five Yellowjackets scored double figures, led by Visger’s game-high 17 points, as MSU Billings improved its season record to 11-2 and 10-1 in the West Region.

The final outcome wasn’t in doubt much past the first few minutes of the game.  The closest the Redhawks (5-4) would get would be at 2-0 after Visger’s opening basket.  MSUB’s swarming defense coupled with an emerging offense to build a 40-14 halftime advantage.  The Lady Jackets held Seattle to 21-percent shooting from the field in the first half and 25-percent for the game.

The Redhawks entered the game averaging 6.2 made 3-pointers per game over the first nine games of the season.  MSU Billings held Seattle to just three made 3-pointers on 14 attempts in the game.  All three came late in the game after the game was out of reach. 

MSUB’s strong defense and a 53-28 rebounding advantage led to several easy scoring opportunities as the Jackets shot 46-percent from the field.  The Yellowjackets pulled down a season-high 21 offensive rebounds in the game, with Robyn Milne grabbing nine and Visger adding six.  Milne finished with a career-high 14 rebounds to go along with 10 points, while Visger rounded out her double-double with 13 boards. 

Joan Langford dropped in 14 points for the Jackets, including four of the team’s ten 3-pointers.  Jessica Bachmann had 12 points, and Kayla Frize added 11.  Langford and Frize each had four assists, and Bachmann handed out three. 

The tournament, which is being played in the Cannon Center on the campus of BYU-Hawaii, features MSU Billings, Seattle University, Alaska-Fairbanks, and Western New Mexico.  The Jackets will face Alaska-Fairbanks on Friday in the late game that tips off at 7:00 p.m. MST.  The game will be broadcast live on AM 970 KBUL and on the internet at www.msubillings.edu/athletics/radio/index.htm by Scott Lowe, BYU-Hawaii’s Sports Information Director.