Box Score
Box Score

Billings, Mont. – The short turn around showed as the Montana State Billings women's basketball team had a rough shooting output against Colorado Mesa. Playing their second game in less than 24 hours of rest, the Yellowjackets shot 29.4 percent from the field as they were defeated by the Mavericks 69-47.
 
It was a tail of two halves as MSUB shot 45.8 percent (11-24) from the field in the first half and plummeted to 14.8 percent (4-27) in the second half.
 
At 13:52 in the first half, junior guard Bobbi Knudsen hit a jumper to give the Yellowjackets the 11-6 lead. Two free throws by Bruna Deichmann and a three point play by Effo Baker brought the game to an 11-11 dead lock at 12:36. A 20-9 run helped Colorado Mesa build their lead to 11 points with 3:20 remaining in the half.
 
Both teams went back and forth to close the half and the Mavericks held the 38-29 nine point advantage. Kayleen Goggins led all scorers going into the break with 11.
 
Colorado Mesa took their momentum from the first half into the second and built their lead to 13 at the 9:54 mark (51-38). The Yellowjackets tried to climb back and cut into the lead but continued to struggle shooting the ball, and the Mavericks increased their advantage to 21 points (62-41) at the 3:10 mark.
 
As Colorado Mesa had a firm grasp on the contest, they traded baskets with MSUB in the closing minutes and closed out the game, capturing the 69-47 victory. They now sit at 2-0 overall on the season.
 
To go along with having a bad shooting night, the Jackets also lost the battle of the boards. Colorado Mesa outrebounded MSUB 41-25. While the Jackets had fewer turnovers than the Mavericks, 20-25, they were seven points above their previous average.
 
Colorado Mesa outshot the Yellowjackets in all three categories; going 49 percent from the field, 27.8 percent from behind the arch and 88.9 percent from the free throw line.
 
Kelsey Sigl had a game high 17 points and Katrina Selsor led all rebounders with 12, 10 of which were defensive. Deichmann finished with 12.
 
Goggins led the Yellowjackets in scoring with 13 points, and Knudsen was second on the team registering nine points on the day. Janiel Olson led MSUB in rebounding, finishing with seven.
 
“We played hard, but it was a tough day and we didn't shoot the ball well despite having open looks,” stated head coach Kevin Woodin. “I'm not sure if fatigue played a factor, but we had too many turnovers and were also outrebounded. In the future we need to do a better job of protecting the ball. I tip my hat off to Colorado Mesa, they played good defense all afternoon. We are looking forward to coming back home for our Thanksgiving Tournament.”
 
Now at 2-2 overall MSUB will be back home in Alterowitz Gymnasium for their next pair of games as they host the annual Yellowjacket Women's Basketball Classic from Nov. 23-24. The event is sponsored by the Billings Hotel and Convention Center and will feature four teams including MSUB.