Yellowjackets Keep NCAA Tournament Hopes Alive with a 71-61 Victory Thursday

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BILLINGS, Mont. – The Montana State Billings women’s basketball team sent its four seniors out in style with a 71-61 victory over Saint Martin’s on Senior Night.  The Yellowjackets kept their NCAA Tournament hopes alive with the victory and improved to 15-10 on the year 7-7, while SMU fell to 16-9 overall and 7-6 in conference play.

“I was pleased with our focus tonight,” head coach Kevin Woodin said.  “Our assistant coaches did a great job of preparing our team and they executed.  I thought our zone defense was effective in the first half. “

Prior to the game, MSUB honored four seniors who were playing their final home game as all-time leading scorer, Alira Carpenter, Jen Smith, Jetton Meadors and Kayla McPherson all were honored with their parents in the annual Senior Night Ceremony.

The Yellowjackets were led by 19 points from Carpenter who was 6 of 16 from the field and 4 of 8 from beyond the arc.  She needs just 36 points in her final two regular season games for 2,000 in her career.  Kayla Ryan chipped in 17 points and Mandy Jacobs had 12 points off the bench.  Dara Zack led SMU with 19 points and Megan Teade had 16 points off the bench.

3-pointers from Carpenter and Meadors helped the Yellowjackets to an early 13-6 lead five minutes into the contest.  SMU’s, Megan Teade, hit a big 3-pointer moments later bringing the Saints to within 13-11.  The Saints made five of their first seven shots, while the Yellowjackets were 5 of 13 in the early going and held a 5-0 lead in offensive rebounds, too. 

Nice inside plays by the Yellowjackets pushed the lead to 27-18 as MSUB went on a mini 8-4 run since the 11:42 mark. Two quick buckets by the Saints cut the deficit to 27-22 with 7:14 left in the half.  MSUB owned a 10-2 lead in second chance points which contributed to the early lead and run.

Two offensive fouls on SMU and two turnovers leading to points in transition pushed the Yellowjacket lead to 34-24 as MSUB went on a 7-0 run in final two minutes of the half.  A bucket by Katie Hawkins in the final minute was the first field goal for the Saints since the 6:13 mark.  Hawkins followed with another bucket cutting the deficit to 36-28 at intermission.

In a half that saw 27 made field goals between both teams and 23 assists, the Yellowjackets an inside presence and second chance opportunities for the halftime advantage.  MSUB owned a 22-16 lead in points in the paint and a 16-4 lead in second chance points with 13 first half offensive rebounds.

Kayla Ryan led the way for MSUB in the half with 11 points on a perfect 5 of 5 from the field.  Dara Zack had 11 points as well to pace the Saints.  Meadors had five points, five rebounds and four assists in the opening half as well.

“Kayla Ryan was a force inside all night,” said Woodin.  “She has really improved over the second half of the season and continues to impress me.”

MSUB shot 34 percent for the half on 14 of 41 from the field.  The Jackets were just 2 of 13 from deep and 6 of 8 from the line.  SMU was 13 of 25 (52.2 percent) from the field, 1 of 5 from downtown and 1 of 2 from the line.

Both teams had 20 rebounds, but SMU committed 16 first half miscues that led to 15 points for MSUB, while the Yellowjackets had just six turnovers.

Carpenter’s triple and a layup from Meadors opened the second half for the Yellowjackets and a 41-28 lead which was the largest lead of the game for MSUB to that point.  Moments later Carpenter drained another triple, her third of the game, for a 46-30 lead as MSUB opened the second half with a 10-2 run.

A drive to the basket and score by Krissy Bassett brought the Saints to 53-42 with 11:25 left, followed by a MSUB turnover and a layup by Jamey Gelhar for a 53-44 score. 

Three offensive rebounds by the Yellowjackets on the ensuing possession gave Ryan the opportunity for an old fashion 3-point play with a hoop-and-harm foul, pushing the lead to 55-44.

Mandy Jacobs’ second trifecta of the half gave the Yellowjackets a 58-46 lead with 8:41 left.  A big 3-pointer from Teade cut the deficit back to single digits at 58-51 with less eight minutes left in regulation.  Jacobs responded with a layup for a 62-51 lead and a turnover led to a fast break for Carpenter who was fouled and knocked down one of two free throws for a 63-51 lead.

“Mandy Jacobs really stepped up tonight,” Woodin said.  “She battled hard on the defensive end and knocked down some critical shots.”

A triple by Smith pushed the lead back to 13 at 66-53 with just over five minutes left, followed by a triple from Carpenter for a 69-55 lead.  Teade hit another triple to keep the Saints within striking distance on the next possession, 69-58 with three minutes left.    

SMU got a turnover and a foul at the other end, but Teade missed two crucial charity tosses that would have pulled the Saints within nine. A bucket by Carpenter off a nice inbounds play pushed the lead to 13 with 1:30 left.

For the game, the Yellowjackets were 28 of 69 from the field for 40 percent and were 14 of 28 from the field in the second half.  MSUB was 8 of 24 from range and 7 of 12 from the line.  The Yellowjackets pulled down 43 to 32 for the Saints and totaled 22 offensive rebounds in the game, dominating second chance points, 23-8.

Of the 54 field goals made between both teams, there were 44 assists combined.

“As a team, we passed the ball well tonight,” Woodin added.  “Our seniors all played very with great determination.  Jen Smith’s charges were huge and I though Jetton did a great job on the offensive boards and her defense as key.  Alira hit some key shots for us down the stretch and her leadership was vital.”

The Saints shot 48 percent on 26 of 54 and were 5 of 14 from deep and 4 of 8 from the line.  21 turnovers proved costly for SMU as MSUB scored 21 points off of the turnovers.

“St. Martins in a very good team,” Woodin added.   “They are fundamentally sound.  This was a great win for our team.”

The Yellowjackets close out the regular season in Alaska versus Alaska Fairbanks and Alaska Anchorage next week.