Jackets Hang Tough, Fall to Vikings, 66-49 

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BIILINGS, Mont. – The Montana State Billings women’s basketball team was unable to carry over strong first half shooting in the final period, dropping a tough decision to the 22nd nationally ranked Vikings of Western Washington University Thursday evening at Alterowitz Gymnasium. The Yellowjackets fall to 9-8 on the season and are 2-4 in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play.

“Mandy Jacobs had a solid game for us,” said head coach Kevin Woodin. “I thought Ashley Reed played very well off the bench for us.  As a team we did a much better job of protecting the basketball tonight but we missed some shots we normally would make.”

Nampa, ID native, Callie Kautzmann, scored 12 points and grabbed seven rebounds to lead the Yellowjackets in the loss. Kayla Ryan dumped in 11 points and eight boards, while Mandy Jacobs also tallied 11 points, including 4-of-7 from the field with four boards.

 For the first half, the Jackets played solid all-around basketball, shooting 40.0 percent from the floor, but were just 2-for-10 from deep. MSUB managed to stay in striking distance throughout the half, leading most of the way from the 12 minute mark. Western Washington retook the lead late in the half behind 46.4 percent shooting and carried a 32-30 lead into the break.

“I was happy with our play in the opening half,” Woodin said.  “We played very hard and communicated well on defense.  I also liked our ball movement in the first half.”

Coming out of the break, Western Washington distanced themselves from the Yellowjackets, going on numerous runs throughout the half to stretch their lead by more than 20.

MSUB was unable to keep pace, shooting 26.1 percent from the field in the second half, including just 1-for-6 from beyond the arc. The Viking defense forced MSUB into tough shots all night long and managed to create 23 points off of 18 Jacket turnovers.

“You have to give WWU a lot of credit,” continued Woodin. “They started the second half very well.  Amanda Dunbar’s 3 threes really hurt us.  They also have a lot of depth which was critical to their success and they are very well coached.”

Western Washington (16-2, 7-0) has now won seven in a row and is keeping pace with the leaders of the west region. Amanda Dunbar scored a game-high 20 points, going 7-of-13 from the field and knocking down six triples. Jessica Summers and Ashley Fenimore were also in double digits, scoring 13 and 12, respectively.

MSUB outscored the Vikings off the bench, 11-10, and earned 13 second chance points for the game. Both teams came away with 35 rebounds and had 24 points apiece in the paint. The Vikings turned the ball over just 12 times in the game and came away with 11 steals. There were seven lead changes in the game and four ties.