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BILLINGS, Mont. – Bobbi Knudsen and Brooke Tolman each recorded double-digit points and every Yellowjacket scored as the Montana State Billings women's basketball team rolled past the University of Montana – Western 76-49, handing the Bulldog's their first loss of the season while extending their winning streak to 11-straight over the NAIA institution to remain perfect for the young season.
 
The win is the second of the season for the Yellowjackets as they are now a perfect 2-0 on the season while the Bulldogs move to 7-1.
 
“Our depth once again played a pivotal role in the game,” said head coach Kevin Woodin shortly after the final buzzer sounded. “We got excellent play from our bench with everybody chipping in not just points, but solid defensive efforts. We had several freshman step up and make critical free throws down the stretch and that will continue to win us ball games as we progress through the season.”
 
Knudsen led all scorers with 18 points as she was 50% (8-16) from the field. The sophomore point guard also dished out a game-high-tying five assists in her 32 minutes of work.
 
Just behind Knudsen, Tolman tallied 15 points in the contest while corralling in two rebounds. Senior guard Kalli Stanhope and freshman guard Quinn Peoples each recorded nine points with all three of Stanhope's scores coming from beyond the three-point arc.
 
After starting her freshman campaign off with a double-double effort, Janiel Olson had another solid performance on the hardwood as she had six points to go along with six rebounds and a game-high five steals.
 
For the Bulldogs, Sammi Bignell and Hayley Pettit each recorded double-digit points in their effort with Bignell leading Montana – Western with 15 points. Pettit was close behind with 13 of her own while also corralling in a game-high eight boards, seven off the defensive glass, and swatting four balls away to lead all players with four blocks.
 
The Yellowjackets opened the game on a 6-2 run as Woodin's players worked hard to establish a solid flow in the game, but the Bulldogs would scratch and claw their way back to claim a couple early leads, but eventually MSUB would pull away. At one point during the first half, Montana – Western was shut out, going just over 11 minutes without making a shot.
 
After trailing 36-18 entering the intermission, Montana – Western would come out firing in the second half, scoring the first five points of the second stanza while going on a 9-2 run to open the half.
 
After regrouping following a Stanhope trey at the 15:55 mark, the 'Jackets would open up more breathing room down the stretch, continuing to apply pressure to the Bulldogs and working hard to maintain their own control of the ball.
 
Montana – Western would only manage two points over the final 3:51 of the game as MSUB stretched their lead out to the final 27 points before the final buzzer.
 
“You have to give Western a lot of credit,” stated Woodin. “They came out hard in the second half and cut into our lead. Sammi (Bignell) and Hayley (Pettit) are great players and are difficult to defend, but Bobbi (Knudsen) played an excellent floor game tonight. She made some great decisions with the ball and really helped push the team back into focus.”
 
Once again, the Yellowjacket women protected the ball well as they only turned the rock over nine times while the Bulldogs relinquished the ball 29 times as they crumbled under the pressure from MSUB.
 
Overall, neither team could manage to break 40% shooting as both squads hit about 38% of their shots, but a 73% team shooting effort form the charity stripe helped lift the 'Jackets to victory.
 
The Yellowjackets will continue their five-game home stand to start the season as the Battlin' Bears of Rocky Mountain College will next enter the confines of Alterowitz Gymnasium on Tuesday, Nov. 22. The contest is slated to tip off at 7:30 p.m.