BILLINGS, Mont. – The 2010-2011 Great Northwest Athletic Conference women's basketball schedule begins this week as the Montana State Billings opens conference play on the road. The Yellowjackets travel to Simon Fraser University Thursday for a 7 p.m., followed by a trip to Western Washington University Saturday for a 7 p.m. start.
The Yellowjackets are 2-3 and are coming off a disappointing 73-59 loss at Chadron State Monday. MSUB struggled shooting against the Eagles to the tune of 19 of 64 for 29.7 percent for the game. The Jackets jumped out to an early 7-0 lead in the game, but went ice cold as CSC went on an 18-0 run and a 33-11 spurt for the rest of the half and a 33-18 lead at intermission.
MSUB came out of the gates in the second half and chipped away at the deficit, but solid free throw shooting by CSC (14 of 18) in the final six minutes sealed the win for the Eagles. The Jackets were led by 22 points from senior Beata Bak and senior Kayla Ryan added 13 points and 11 rebounds for her first double-double of the season.
“In the second half we played hard and we played better, but the hole we dug was too much,” MSUB head coach Kevin Woodin said after the game. “They (Chadron State) are a much improved team from a year ago and our play was inconsistent tonight.”
Leading the way for MSUB this season is Bak who averages a team-high 15.4 points per game. Ryan averages just short of a double-double with 10.6 points and a team-high 9.2 rebounds per contest. Bak leads the team with 28 made field goals and 17 made free throws. She also leads the squad with 10 blocks. Junior Kalli Stanhope leads the team in 3-pointers with eight.
As a team, the Yellowjackets are shooting 34 percent from the field, 27 percent from beyond the arc and 69 percent from the line. They are pulling down 38.8 rebounds per game and average 57.4 points a contest. Conversely, the opponents are shooting 35 percent from the floor, 28 percent from beyond the arc and 64 percent from the charity stripe. The opposition averages 42.4 rebounds per game and 55.6 points.
Simon Fraser begins its first year in the GNAC as it is transitioning from NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) to NCAA Division II. The Clan, located in Burnaby, British Columbia, is not eligible to compete in the conference tournament or the NCAA Tournament, but will play a full GNAC slate this season.
The Clan is 3-1 on the year and led by Nayo Raincock-Ekunwe who leads the team averaging 22 points and 11 rebounds per game. She leads the team in field goal percentage at a .679 clip with 36 made field goals. No other player on the team has more than 17 made field goals, or averages more than 4.8 rebounds per game. Second on the team in scoring is Kristina Collins who is averaging 12.8 points per game. She is second in made field goals with 17 and leads the team from long range with eight made triples.
As a team, SFU is shooting just south of 50 percent from the field on 110 of 223 for a .493 average. The Clan is 18 of 66 from beyond the arc and 70 of 98 from the line for 71 percent. Marie-Line Petit leads the team in free throw shooting going 15 of 16 from the line for a 94 percent average. The Clan averages 36.2 rebounds per game, while allowing 42 rebounds. They are holding its opponents to 39 percent from the field and 31 percent from beyond the arc.
SFU's lone loss came against MSUB's first opponent of the season. Metro State defeated SFU 73-62 Nov. 27 in Denver, and knocked off MSUB 49-46 in both teams season openers Nov. 13 in Alterowitz Gymnasium.
MSUB leads the all-time series with Simon Fraser, 1-0. The Yellowjackets posted a 72-62 win over SFU in Billings, Jan. 7, 1999.
Western Washington enters the week with a 4-0 record and is ranked 20th nationally in the latest USA Today/ESPN Coaches Poll.
The Vikings are led by Amanda Dunbar who leads the team averaging 12.3 points per game. Kristin Schramm is second in scoring at 10 points per contest. Lauren Hefflin leads the team averaging nine rebounds per game and is tied for fourth in scoring at 9.3 points per game. Dunbar leads the team with 17 made field goals and 12 made triples. Gabby Wade is second in rebounding at a 7.5 clip.
As a team, WWU is shooting 42 percent on 95 of 224. The Vikings have knocked down 32 triples for a 37 percent average and are at a 69 percent average from the line (45 of 65). WWU averages 40.2 rebounds per game. Conversely, the defense has stymied its opponents to just 31 percent shooting and 16 percent 3-point shooting. The opposition only has made 57 field goals (57 of 180) and 7 of 42 triples. They also average just 29.8 rebounds per game.
Western Washington leads the all-time series 11-10 and 7-2 in Bellingham. The Vikings have won two straight and four of five in the series. The Yellowjackets' last win at WWU came in a 63-59 victory on Feb. 27, 1999. Since then, the Vikings have won seven straight at home.
In the GNAC Preseason Coaches' Poll, the Yellowjackets were picked fifth, while Simon Fraser was fourth and Western Washington was selected third.
For the first time in league history, there will be a postseason conference tournament. The winner of the tournament will receive an automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament. The top eight teams in the league will be included with the highest seed hosting games in each round. The championship is scheduled for Sat., Mar. 5 at the highest remaining seed.
