Lady Yellowjackets Stumble against Alaska-Fairbanks (January 3, 2003)

LAIE, HI – The MSU Billings women’s basketball team suffered its first defeat since December 8, falling 81-71 to West Region foe Alaska-Fairbanks at a tournament in Laie, Hawaii Friday night.  The Yellowjackets dropped to 11-3 on the season, while the Nanooks improved to 5-4.

The Yellowjackets trailed 32-31 at halftime despite out-shooting the Lady Nanooks 41% to 36 % from the field.  The difference in the first half was a six-point advantage at the free throw line for UAF.  That pattern held true in the second half as Alaska-Fairbanks made 20-of-24 free throw attempts en route to outscoring the Jackets 27-8 from the charity stripe in the game.  The two teams shot an identical 40.3% from the field in the game.

The Nanooks were paced by Cody Burgess, who dropped in a season-high 29 points.  Burgess was 8-of-23 from the field and 13-of-15 from the free throw line.  Adrianne Taalak tallied 22 points for UAF and Heidi Arts added 19.

The Yellowjackets were led by Jessica Bachmann’s 14 points on 7-of-13 shooting from the floor.  Natalie Visger and Kayla Frize added 12 points apiece, with Visger grabbing seven rebounds and Frize adding six.  Jessie Henigman finished with nine points and nine rebounds, and Robyn Milne had eight points and eight rebounds.  Both centers blocked three shots.

The Lady Jackets will return home to host Carroll College on January 10.  Tip-off is set for 7:00 p.m. at Alterowitz Gymnasium with the game being broadcast live on AM 970 KBUL.