Yellowjackets Face 22nd Rank Vikings

BILLINGS, Mont. – The Montana State Billings women’s basketball team returns home for the first time in two weeks, taking on the 22nd nationally ranked Vikings of Western Washington University Thursday night at Alterowitz Gymnasium. The game is scheduled to tip off at 5:15 p.m. as part of a doubleheader with the men’s basketball team.

The Yellowjackets are coming off a very tough road trip that saw them play in four games during a two week period. The trip started in Anchorage, AK, where the team fell to the Seawolves, 85-63. Two nights later, the Yellowjackets throttled the Nanooks of Alaska Fairbanks.

Last week, MSUB traveled to Seattle to take on, then 18th ranked Seattle Pacific. The Yellowjackets fought hard but turnovers caught up to the team and fell 68-52. The road trip finally wrapped up with another tough defeat to Northwest Nazare, currently sitting fourth in the west region, 78-60.

The Yellowjackets are 10-9 against the Vikings in the series history between the two schools. MSUB is 6-2 in Billings and are 2-6 at Sam Carver Arena in Bellingham. When the two squads meet on neutral court, MSUB is 2-1. The Jackets and Vikings split last season’s contests, both schools winning on their home floor. The Jackets won the Feb. 18, battle at Alterowitz, 67-62.

The Yellowjackets have three players averaging double digit points per contest. Kayla Ryan is averaging 14.9 points and 8.8 rebounds per game. Sarah McNamee is averaging 12.6 points and is a 37 percent three-point shooter, while Callie Kautzmann has been averaging 10.9 points per contest.

MSUB is averaging 67.1 points per game as a team and have been shooting close to 40 percent this season. From the line, the Yellowjackets have been one of the top teams this season in the GNAC, shooting 77.5 percent from the line.

The Vikings are led by Amanda Dunbar and Jessica Summers, both averaging over 16 points per contest. Summers also leads the team in rebounding, averaging 8.6 boards per contest. Willow Cabe is second on the team in boards, averaging 6.6 per contest.

WWU enters the game on a six game winning streak and have defeated Alaska Anchorage at home and are coming off a dominant performance against Seattle Pacific. In that game, the Vikings held the Falcons to just 40 points, defeating SPU 54-40.