Yellowjackets Top Rocky in Final Exhibition, 87-75

BILLINGS, Mont. – The Montana State Billings women’s basketball squad was able to withstand a second half surge by Rocky Mountain College during its final exhibition game Tuesday evening at the Fortin Center, taking an 87-75 decision over the Battlin’ Bears.

“It was a nice win for us,” said head coach Kevin Woodin. “I thought we shot well in the first half and did a nice job of getting the extra pass to the open person. I liked the fact that we were able to play at the speed we practice, although the execution was sloppy at times. One area of concern was the lack of rebounding, and I thought our defense had played better in our previous two games, so those are two things that will need to be worked on before our first game this Sunday.”

The Yellowjackets had four players in double figures, including 24 by junior transfer, Sarah McNamee. Shantell Marquis had 15 points and seven assists as Kalli Stanhope and Callie Kautzmann scored 10 and 13 points respectively. In addition, McNamee had three assists and came up with a team-high four steals.

MSUB controlled the game from start to finish, stretching the lead in the first half to as many as 16 with 6:46 remaining in the half after a Mandy Jacobs lay-in.

The Yellowjackets went into the break leading by 13, 43-30. MSUB shot 16-of-32 from the field in the half including 9-of-18 from deep. The defense forced 11 turnovers including six steals en-route to holding Rocky to just 34.3 percent (12-35) from the field.

Out of the break, the Yellowjackets looked to maintain the tempo and shooting success of the first half. With 13:36 remaining, Jacobs hit a jumper to spark a 22-6 run that stretched the MSUB lead to 33 with 7:43 to go.

Behind 41.4 percent shooting (12-29) in the second half, Rocky attempted a comeback that fell short, cutting the lead to 12 down the stretch. The Battlin’ Bears went 17-of-21 from the charity stripe during the second half and for the game, were 19-of-27 (70.4%).

Rocky (0-1) finished the night with five players in double figures, including Dani Henderson and Haleigh Crnkovich, who scored 13 points apiece. Henderson and Tana Stewart both had double-figures as Stewart scored 11 points and 11 boards, while Henderson added 10 boards.

The Yellowjackets shot 50.7 percent from the field for the game, going 34-of -67, and were 13-of-30 from behind the arc (50.7 %). MSUB forced 24 turnovers with 12 steals and added two blocks. The Yellowjackets were outrebounded 45-32 by the Bears, but the bench outscored Rocky 33-25.

“Overall, I thought our exhibition season has prepared us well for the upcoming regular season games, starting this Sunday,” added Woodin.

Tonight’s game did count as the first game of the season for the Bears, but finished off the exhibition season for the Yellowjackets. MSUB will play in its first home game and season opener this Sunday, Nov. 15, at 2 p.m. against the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs.