BILLINGS, Mont. – Chadron State College posted a 60-53 victory over Montana State Billings in women's basketball Wednesday evening in Alterowitz Gymnasium.  With the loss, the Yellowjackets fell to 5-5 on the year, while Chadron State improved to 2-8. 

“Give Chadron State a lot of credit, it is a difficult road trip to come over here after the break,” MSUB head coach Kevin Woodin said.  “They (Chadron) played very consistently throughout the game.  I was disappointed in the outcome, I felt we would do a better job than we did and I need to make sure I prepare my team better and we play better.”

The Jackets were led by 10 points from seniors Shantell Marquis and Kayla Ryan.  Marquis had game-high eight rebounds and seven steals, while Ryan chipped in seven rebounds.  The Eagles were led by a game-high 13 points from Rachael Smidt.  Marla Munsen and Jazmyn Webster had 12 points and 10 points, respectively.

“I thought Shantell (Marquis) had her most complete game of the year,” Woodin said. “I am seeing a lot more explosiveness on the court and it will pay dividends in the future.”

MSUB really struggled from the field shooting as it was just 15 of 56 from the floor for 26.8 percent.  The Jackets were just 4 of 19 from range, but shot well from the line at 19 for 25 for a 76 percent average.

The Eagles shot 41.5 percent from the field on 22 of 53.  They were just 4 of 14 from beyond the arc and 12 of 18 from the charity stripe.  CSC won the battle of the rebounds 42-34.  Both teams pulled down 11 offensive rebounds, but the Eagles made the most of their second chances, outscoring the Jackets 14-7 in second chance points. 

After the game was nip-and-tuck early on, CSC built a 24-17 lead late in the first half.  From there, the Yellowjackets closed the half with a 9-2 run and scored the final seven points of the half to tie the game at 26.

“I felt fortunate to be tied at halftime,” Woodin added.  “I liked that we scored the final seven points of the half to tie it up.  In the second half, we couldn't get into any offensive continuity and give them credit for their defense.”

The game was tied seven times in the first 10 minutes of the second half as neither team was able to garner much of an advantage. 

A layup by Smidt with 9:03 left put CSC up for good at 46-44.  The Eagles built a 49-44 lead.  The Yellowjackets would cut the deficit to three on three separate occasions down the stretch.  A big triple from senior Beata Bak cut the deficit to 55-53 with 2:47 left. 

A back-breaking jumper from Sadie Waugh moments later put the Eagles back up four as CSC iced the game at the free throw line in the final minute for the 60-53 win and a season sweep of the series.  The Eagles won 73-59 in Chadron, Neb., exactly one month ago.

The Yellowjackets have a quick turnaround as they host nationally ranked Alaska Anchorage at 5:15 p.m. on Saturday in Alterowitz Gymnasium.  It will be the first game of a doubleheader with the men's team. 

“We will have to regroup quickly because we are going to play an extremely talented Alaska Anchorage team in three days and we will need to come out firing for that game,” Woodin concluded.  “We need to learn from this loss and get ready for UAA.”