November 24, 2007

Lady Jackets Chalk Up “W”
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   MSUB Season Stats
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BILLINGS, Mont. –The Montana State Billings women’s basketball team defeated Regis University 82-57 Saturday afternoon at the Chinook Wireless/Clock Tower Inn Classic to earn their first win of the season.  The Yellowjackets are 1-3 overall while the Rangers are also 1-3.

Find a way to win is what Lady Jacket head coach Kevin Woodin stressed to the team heading into today’s game.  The Yellowjackets led the game wire to wire and used a 17-0 run late in the first half to take their first halftime lead of the season into the locker room holding the 18-point advantage.

“I liked our intensity at the beginning of the game,” said head coach Kevin Woodin.  “We finally competed on the boards which has previously been a thorn in our side.  Kayla Ryan played some solid minutes for us and her presence in the post and on the boards was important.  Shantell Marquis’s versatility is important to our team and her energy helped us on both ends of the court.”

The Lady Yellowjackets used a balanced inside and perimeter attack coupled with a stingy defense to earn the 25-point win over the visiting Rangers.

Four Yellowjackets scored in double-figures and were led by Alira Carpenter’s (Lewistown) 20 points.  Carpenter drilled four first-half threes and was 8-of-16 for the night from the floor.  Kayla McPherson (Glendive) came off the bench to shoot 6-of-13 from the field and 3-of-10 from long range to chip in 17 points.  Shantell Marquis (Cascade) earned a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds, while her teammate Kayla Ryan (Big Timber) posted a career high 10 points and 10 rebounds.

“We passed the ball better in the first half and were able to get some good looks in the half court and from our transition game,” added Woodin.   “When Kayla McPherson and Alira Carpenter are both shooting well, it opens up a lot more options for us and Coach Visger did an excellent job of preparing our players for the three-point game.” 

As a team the Lady Yellowjackets were 30-of-63 from the floor and 8-of-30 from long range.  Connecting on 14-of-17 free throws the Jackets were a proficient 82 percent.  MSUB out-rebounded Regis 49-33.

Breanne Burley led Regis University with 21 points off 7-of-18 shooting from the field and 2-of-10 from the perimeter.  Stevi Seitz posted a double-double of 19 points and a game-high 13 boards.

The Rangers were 24-of-68 from the field for 35 percent and were a chilly 3-of-34 from long range for just 9 percent.  Regis was 6-of-11 from the charity stripe for 55 percent.

“You have to give Regis a lot of credit as they fought back in the second half,” said Woodin.   “I felt we got tentative on both ends and they made a great run at us.  Dani Henderson (Reed Point) got us a couple of big hoops and Mandy Jacobs (Shepherd) provided a hoop and a deflection to help us regain our poise and confidence.  This has been a difficult eight days as we have played four very tough opponents.  I am proud of our players for sticking with it and I believe these games will prepare us for our conference season.”

The Yellowjackets head to Colorado School of Mines for one game against the Orediggers on December 1 before hosting the University of Great Falls on Wednesday, December 5.  Tip off is slated for 7:00 p.m. at Alterowitz Gym.