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BILLINGS, Mont. – Turnovers and missed opportunities defined Friday night's game between the Montana State Billings women's basketball team and the visiting Black Hills State University Yellow Jackets as neither team could generate much on offense, particularly early on. The home Yellowjackets (4-4) eventually had three players record double-digit outings as they downed Black Hills State (3-5) 59-40 inside Alterowitz Gymnasium.

The 19-point victory Friday night marked the fifth straight win by MSUB over BHS in the series.
 
“This was a very important win for us,” stated head coach Kevin Woodin. “It was nice to put a stop to that losing streak. The team has been playing some good basketball the last few games, we just couldn't seem to come out on top.”
 
The home Yellowjackets held Black Hills State to a dismal 14.8% (4-27) shooting performance in the opening period of play, but only managed a 32.3% (10-31) shooting percentage themselves. By the end of the game, BHS was able to muster a 26.9% shooting performance after shooting 40% (10-25) in the second stanza while MSUB hit 34% (20-59) of their shots in the game.
 
“I liked how we played strong defense throughout the game, but particularly there in the first half,” Woodin said. “I would like to think that their cold shooting streak was mostly due to our defense even though they did miss some shots that they typically make. I felt like our players were really competing hard on the defensive end to make sure they did not get many easy looks.”
 
Sophomore guard Bobbi Knudsen once again led MSUB in scoring with 18 points, including going 4-6 at the free throw line. The Malta High School product also added a team-high five assists and corralled in five rebounds in the win.
 
A pair of freshmen also contributed solid performances with double-digit outings. Shepherd High School product Kayleen Goggins recorded a career-high 13 points and five rebounds, shooting a season-best 6-8 from the field, while Butte native Quinn Peoples had two treys as part of her 10 points. Peoples led the team with seven rebounds.
 
For BHS, Kristi Ryan led the way with 13 points while Jordan Kent cleaned glass with a game-high 10 rebounds, nine off the defensive glass.
 
MSUB opened the game on a 17-4 run over the opening eight minutes of play, capped off by a layup in the paint by Knudsen.
 
After Natalie Geise hit a free throw a minute later, five minutes would pass scoreless as neither team could find the net. Once again, it was Knudsen with a layup that broke the silence.
 
BHS barely broke double-digit points before intermission as MSUB took a 23-10 lead into the locker room.
 
The visiting Yellow Jackets did well to not send MSUB to the free throw line in the first half, but the second half would be another story as free throws would ultimately lead to the home 'Jackets extending their lead out into a win.
 
“I knew Black Hills would make a run at us there in the second half because they are very athletic team,” said Woodin. “Their penetration bothered us for a while early in the second half, making us turn the ball over a few times and go cold in shooting. But after Brooke (Tolman) hit her three right after they scored we were able to stretch out our lead again, making enough free throws down the stretch to pull away.”
 
The home 'Jackets came out firing in the second half, collecting five points to open the second stanza before Black Hills State was able to hit their first shot. But from there, the visitors would give MSUB a scare due to a stifling full-court press, quickly cutting the deficit and pulling to within eight off a jumper by Morgan Mines with 13 minutes remaining in regulation.
 
Seeing his team beginning to struggle, Woodin called a critical timeout to regroup his players, and not a moment too soon.
 
MSUB was able to stretch their lead back out to double-digits, out-scoring BHS 30-19 over the closing minutes to break their four-game losing skid that had plagued the young squad.
 
MSUB went to the charity stripe 19 times in the second half, hitting 63.2% (12-19) of their free throws while they only sent BHS to the line 14 times throughout the entire game. The home Yellowjackets once again won the turnover battle as they forced the visiting Yellow Jackets into turning the ball over 21 times.
 
MSUB does not get much of an opportunity to relish their win as they will be back in action tomorrow night. The Yellowjackets will welcome the Hardrockers of South Dakota School of Mines & Technology in a 5:30 p.m. matchup, part of a women's and men's doubleheader inside Alterowitz Gymnasium Saturday night. The MSUB men will follow the women at about 7:30 p.m. against in-town rival Rocky.