Yellowjackets Escape Mountain Lions, 70-61

Box Score

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The game was closer the second time around, but the results were the same, as the Montana State Billings women’s basketball team defeated the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs, 70-61, Friday afternoon at the Lion’s Den in Colorado Springs. The win gives MSUB its fourth consecutive victory to start the season, the first time since the 2004-05 season.

“Today was a very physical game for us,” said head coach Kevin Woodin. “I was proud of the way our team hung in there and battled to get the victory. Overall, I thought Kayla Ryan played well defensively and got baskets inside and out, and that Mandy Jacobs played a solid all-around game today and just helped us get a nice win.”

The Yellowjackets were led by a Kayla Ryan double-double, scoring a season-high 20 points and grabbing 12 boards off the glass. She was 8-of-11 from the floor, including 2-for-2 from deep and was perfect from the charity stripe.

Ryan also got help from fellow juniors, Sarah McNamee and Mandy Jacobs. The duo teamed for 22 points and 10 rebounds, while freshman Ashley Reed recorded nine points, six boards off the glass and three steals coming off the bench.

The Yellowjackets trailed throughout much of the first half, down by as many as eight, 27-19, with 5:58 remaining in the first half. MSUB battled back with the game tied at 29 with 2:04 left before the break and took the lead when Melissa Porter hit a layup underneath.

The ‘Jackets got a bucket from Reed with one second remaining to take a 35-32 edge into the half. MSUB had 15 second chance points and were able to outscore the Mountain Lion’s bench 12-9. They shot 38.9 percent from the field and were 5-of-17 behind the arc for the half.

“We started slowly,” Woodin said. “The bench gave us great play and was able to keep us in the game during the half. I was very proud of the way the girls stepped up their play after coming in.”

Both teams struggled coming out of the break, nearly going scoreless for the first three minutes of the second half. The Mountain Lions were able to build a six point lead with just less than ten minutes to go.

Back-to-back three pointers from McNamee tied the game for the fourth time in the contest. A Ryan layup gave MSUB the lead for good 61-60. The ‘Jackets ended the game on an 11-1 run over the final 4:52.

“UC-CS played very well throughout the game,” Woodin continued. “They kept us in foul trouble in the second half, but we were able to stay close. Again, I think all of our players were able to make plays when they needed to. Any time you can go on the road and get a win, it’s huge.”

The Mountain Lions (3-2) were led by a double-double from Mallory Lowe, who scored 16 points and 14 rebounds, while Lauren Holm also scored 16 points in the loss. UC-CS shot 30.2 percent from the floor and were 81.8 percent from the line.

The Yellowjackets (4-0) were 37.9 from the floor and were able to shoot 30.3 percent from behind the arc. The ‘Jackets out rebounded the Mountain Lions 46-39 and forced 14 turnovers converting 12 points from.