Yellowjackets Try to Bounce Back Against Roadrunners

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BILLINGS, Mont. – After a turnover filled 73-64 loss to the University of Mary Thursday night, the Montana State Billings women’s basketball squad looks to bounce back against 4-4 Metro State at the Auraria Event Center in Denver on Saturday afternoon.

This is the second trip into Colorado for the ‘Jackets this season after traveling to Colorado Springs for the UC-Colorado Springs Thanksgiving Tournament. The game is the second in a short two game road trip before the Christmas break.

The Yellowjackets enter Saturday’s contest with a 5-3 record overall after dropping a tough decision to the Marauders on Thursday evening. The ‘Jackets enter the Metro game having lost two of their last three games, starting the season 4-0. A win at Metro would be the first since Dec. 2, 2005, 87-62.

Looking to gain some consistency as the season rolls along, the Montana State Billings women’s basketball team tried to piece together back-to-back victories over the University of Mary for the first time in school history Thursday night.

Luck was not on the ‘Jackets side however, turning the ball over 30 times, a season-high, which the Marauders converted into 32 points. Kayla Ryan led the team in scoring and rebounding once again, recording her fifth double-double of the season with 19 points and 11 rebounds. Sarah McNamee chipped in 17 points and recorded a career-high five steals, while Kalli Stanhope scored 10 for the Yellowjackets.

MSUB actually led at the half, 35-33, but was unable to overcome the turnovers and Marauder pressure down the stretch. The Yellowjackets shot just 38.6 percent from the floor (22-of-57) and just 15.4 percent from deep (2-of-13), including 0-for-9 in the second half.  The Yellowjackets did out rebound Mary in the game, 37-34, but were outscored in the paint and off the bench.

The Metro State Roadrunners enter the game with a 4-4 record overall and 1-3 record in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference. Metro State started the season with a 4-1 record; including a victory over number three nationally ranked Fort Lewis at home, 75-65. Since then, the Roadrunners have fallen in three-straight games, including a loss to Adams State who also defeated the Yellowjackets.

The Roadrunners are led by Leandra Sands who is scoring 10.4 points per game and shooting 47.0 percent from the floor. Kristen Valencia is averaging 6.4 boards per game to lead the team in rebounding.

Montana State Billings leads the overall series against the Roadrunners 14-5, including a 7-4 record in Denver. Both teams split the season series last season, the Yellowjackets winning at home on Dec. 16, 65-61, while Metro State won the game in Denver on Jan. 2, 67-61. MSUB has won the last four out of six and were winners of the first nine meetings.

Seeing Double
Junior center, Kayla Ryan, has turned up her production since the beginning of the season.  Ryan has recorded five double-doubles in the first eight games of the season and  is close to averaging a double-double on the year with 14.4 points per game and 9.4 boards. Ryan has also scored in double figures in six of the eight contests this season.

On the National Scene
As a team, the Yellowjackets are in the top-25 of four statistical categories in the nation out of 300 Division II teams. MSUB ranks sixth in assist/turnover ratio with 1.1 and is 12th in turnovers per game, with 16.4 turnovers. The ‘Jackets also rank 16th in 3-point field goals per game (7.6) and 20th in assists per game. 

It’s All About the Start
When the Yellowjackets get off to a good start in the first half, things have gone their way. Through the first seven games, MSUB is outscoring their opponents in the first half 264-209, while only outscoring the opponent 286-285 in the second. The Yellowjackets are 5-1 this season when leading at halftime and are 0-2 when trailing.

December Dominance
The month of December has been very generous to the Yellowjackets over the years. In the past five seasons, MSUB has a 22-5 record in the month of December. During that stretch, 2007-08 was the only year the ‘Jackets suffered a losing record, 2-3.

Make it Take it
This season the Yellowjackets have proved that if you out shoot your opponents, odds are you’ll win. In games when the ‘Jackets shoot a higher percentage than the opposition, they are 5-0. MSUB is 0-3 when shooting a lower percentage than the opponent.

Milestone Watch
With the victory over Dickinson State last Saturday, MSUB head coach, Kevin Woodin, recorded his 93rd career victory. With seven more wins, coach Woodin will become the third coach in MSUB women’s basketball history to record 100 wins at the school. With nine more victories, Woodin would tie Ted Anderson (1982-87) for second on the school’s all-time wins list with 102.