Yellowjackets Tame the Thunderwolves

Box Score

Photo Gallery

BILLINGS, Mont. – Montana State Billings (1-0) hit free throws down the stretch to defeat Colorado State Pueblo (0-1) 91-81 Saturday night.  It was the season opener for both teams.  MSUB remains at home, Friday, Nov. 21, taking on the University of Mary.  The game is scheduled to start at 7:00 p.m.

Montana State Billings and Colorado State Pueblo treated the opening minutes like a chess match.  Both squads were countering each other’s buckets.  At the 14:22 mark, the Yellowjackets led 12-9.

Over the next seven minutes, MSUB went into overdrive.  The Jackets went on a 27-14 run to go up by 16.  The margin was never less than ten the rest of the half.

“I really liked the way we competed in the opening half,” said head coach Kevin Woodin.  “Last year we struggled with rebounding.  Tonight we were very aggressive on both the offensive and defensive board.  I thought Mandy Jacobs did a great job in the first half for us.  Kalli Stanhope was solid off the bench and played with a lot of poise for a freshman.”

In the second half, the Jackets continue to control the pace.  They led by as many as 17 points at one point.  During the first 15 minutes of the half, MSUB led by at least 10 for all but two minutes.

The Thunderwolves refused to fold under.  With 2:02 to go, Mary Rehfeld drilled a three-pointer to make it 81-73, MSUB. 

“CSUP really made a nice run at us in the second half,” said coach Woodin.  “They are well coached, have a good array of shooters and Rachel Espinoza really penetrated out defense well.  They definitely had us on our heels for awhile.”

Then CSUP began to foul to send the Yellowjackets to the line.  MSUB hit 12-of-16 from the line to finally turn back the Thunderwolves.

“Free throws are critical in a close game.  It was great to shoot them as well as we did down the stretch.” said coach Woodin.

For MSUB, Alira Carpenter had 33 points, five assists, 11 rebounds, shot 9-of-9 from the line and hit six triples.  Jen Smith had 18 points and 12 boards while shooting 7-of-8 from the line.  Kayla Ryan had 16 points and 13 rebounds and blocked two shots.  Mandy Jacobs had 13 points and three steals.  Carpenter and Ryan tied their career highs for points while Smith tied her career high for rebounds.

For CSUP, Rehfeld had 21 points, three steals and hit five triples, Espinoza had 19 points and Jonnie Draper had 16 points with four three-pointers.