Billings, Mont. - Montana State Billings women's basketball team looks to build off their momentum from their win Sunday as they head into St. George, Utah this weekend to compete in the Dixie State College of Utah Tip-Off Classic. The Yellowjackets will face Dixie State Friday, Nov. 16 at 7:00 p.m. and then Colorado Mesa University Saturday, Nov. 17 at 1:00 p.m.
 
MSUB currently sits at 1-1 overall after their first pair of regular season contests. A last second shot helped Black Hills State edge the Yellowjackets 65-63. With a quick turnaround in sight, MSU Billings didn't exhibit any hangover symptoms from a tough loss. They came out fast and finished strong against Chadron State College.
 
With a 30 point game high by Bobbi Knudsen, the Jackets defeated the Eagles 79-64. For the weekend she scored a total of 43 points (21.5 average). Janiel Olson continues to stay aggressive on the glass leading the team with 17 rebounds (8.5 average). She also is averaging 8.0 points per game.
 
Kayleen Goggins and Quinn Peoples also turned in solid offensive performances combining for 53 points and 17 rebounds. Goggins is averaging 14 points per game while Peoples has a 12.5 average.
 
Co-captains Brooke Tolman and Knudsen provided great defensive pressure on the perimeter recording six steals each on the weekend.
 
As a team MSUB is out-rebounding their opponents 70 to 56, averaging 35 rebounds per game compared to their opponents 28. The Yellowjackets have limited the opposition to only a total of eight offensive rebounds thus far.
 
This upcoming weekend MSUB will need to put together two complete team efforts in order to be successful.
 
Including the Yellowjackets, the Dixie State Tip-Off Classic will consist of four total teams. The other three teams rounding out the tournament are Dixie State (host team), Colorado Mesa University and fellow Great Northwest Athletic Conference member Simon Fraser University.
 
Dixie State is currently 1-0 following an 80-75 overtime win over California State Polytechnic University-Pomona. The Red Storm had three players score in double figures against the Broncos. Kaylah Miller came off the bench to lead the team with 17 points.
 
In the battle of the boards, Dixie State out-rebounded Cal. State Poly-Pomona 54-44. The Red Storm did lose the turnover battle however, registering 27 turnovers to the Broncos 18.
 
MSUB currently holds a plus eight margin over their opponents in the turnover department and have forced an average of 20.5 turnovers per game. The Jackets will look to continue this trend in Friday's matchup.
 
After their game versus the tournament host, MSUB will have a short turnaround before they compete against Colorado Mesa on Saturday at 1 p.m. The Mavericks have not played any regular season contests thus far and Friday against Simon Fraser will mark their first game of the 2012-13 season.
 
Fortunately the Yellowjackets have the later game of the opening round of the tournament and will have a chance to scout Colorado Mesa before they face off on the following day. The Mavericks return 12 letter winners from the 2011-12 roster.
 
The Yellowjackets will have to key on senior forward Kelsey Sigel in the front court. Sigel averaged 18.3 points and 6.3 rebounds per game last season en route to Daktronics All-Central Region First Team and All-RMAC First Team honors.
 
In the backcourt MSUB will need to monitor senior guard Katrina Selsor's production. She averaged 11.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, registered 70 assists and 37 steals in her 2011-12 campaign. Selsor earned Second Team All-RMAC honors for her efforts.
 
“The Dixie State tournament will be a great early season test for us,” stated head coach Kevin Woodin. “Dixie State is one of the top teams in the Pac West Conference and has great size, while Colorado Mesa has an experienced team that is excellent on the perimeter. Both games will be a great indicator of where we are at this time in the season. We are looking forward to competing this weekend and I expect us to improve on both ends of the floor.”

Yellowjacket fans can go visit www.dixieathletics.com for live stats of all tournament games.