Turnovers Plague Yellowjackets in Loss, 73-64

Box Score

BISMARCK, N.D. – The Montana State Billings women’s basketball team was unable to overcome 30 turnovers and a 2-for-13 night behind the arc, dropping a 73-64 decision on Thursday evening to the University of Mary at the McDowell Activity Center.

“We played hard tonight, but we just needed to execute better at critical times,” said head coach Kevin Woodin. “We had too many turnovers and just needed to create more offense. I thought we fought hard and had a chance to win in the last five minutes, but we couldn’t make the plays we needed and were unable to score from and mid and long-range.

Kayla Ryan was one of three Yellowjackets in double figures, scoring her fifth double-double of the season with 19 points and 11 rebounds. Also in double digits were Sarah McNamee, scoring 17 points, and Kalli Stanhope who scored 10.

MSUB led by two, 35-33, at the half, but the Marauders used a 9-0 run with 8:08 remaining to take the lead for good. A basket by Maria Weigelt with 1:19 to go, gave the Marauders their largest lead of the game at 10, 70-60. Mary ended the game on a 15-8 run over the final five minutes for the victory.

The Marauders (2-7) were led by Liz Sipma’s 20 points and five boards. Sipma was 8-of-11 from the floor and 4-of-7 from the stripe. Two other players were in double figures for the Marauders, Taylor Luke scored 15 and Weigelt had 10. The win was Mary’s first since Nov. 21.

With the loss, the Yellowjackets (5-3) have dropped three of the last four contests since opening the season 4-0, including a win over Mary on Nov. 18. The ‘Jackets did out rebound the Marauders 37-34, but were outscored in the paint 38-34 and off the bench 37-23

MSUB shot 38.6 percent from the field (22-57), but were unable to get things going from downtown, shooting 15.4 percent (2-13) on the night. The free throw line was kind to the Yellowjackets, going 18-of-21 from the stripe.

The Yellowjackets will continue their road trip in Denver, CO this Saturday, December 19, against Metro State with tipoff scheduled for 5 p.m.