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Coach Woodin Post-game Interview                     Olson Post-Game Interview
 
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Billings, Mont. – Janiel Olson recorded one of her best performances of the 2012-13 season as the Montana State Billings women's basketball team started their Great Northwest Athletic Conference slate on the right foot. The Yellowjackets defeated Central Washington University 66-59 in their Thursday evening matchup.
 
Olson recorded her second double-double of the year as she grabbed 11 rebounds while pouring in 13 points. Kayleen Goggins was one point and one rebound shy of a double-double, tallying nine points and nine rebounds respectively.
 
“Olson played very well tonight she was all over the place on both ends of the floor, especially attacking the glass,” stated head coach Kevin Woodin. “Goggins also had a very good performance with nine rebounds on the night.”

Junior guard Bobbi Knudsen led all Jacket scorers with 24 points, 18 of which were scored in the first half. She now has 920 career points. Knudsen was also active on the defensive end as she helped force Central Washington's Ally Schmitt into five turnovers, and was tied for the team lead in steals with three on the night.
 
Schmitt came into the contest averaging 15.2 points per game but was limited to just three points in the contest. Jessica VanDyke led all scorers with 26 points, going 10-17 from the field and 6-11 from behind the arch. Freshman Jasmine Parker battled hard on the glass and led all rebounders with 13 total, nine defensive.
 
The Yellowjackets were clicking offensively in the first half going 47.4 percent from the field, but cooled off in the second half shooting 30.0 percent. MSUB shot an uncharacteristic 50.0 percent from the free throw line and also was cold from three-point territory going 5-20.
 
Central Washington out rebounded MSUB 40-36, but the Yellowjackets took care of the ball more efficiently than the Wildcats. MSUB forced their opponent into 19 turnovers while only committing 10 errors.
 
The Jackets started slow as Central Washington jumped out to an eight point lead, 19-11, at the 13:34 mark. MSUB effectively countered with an 8-0 run to take the 20-19 lead with 10:03 remaining in the first half. Following a 23 all tie at 7:38, the Yellowjackets surged ahead with an 18-7 run to hold an 11 point advantage at the intermission.
 
Goggins and Knudsen scored seven points each during this offensive flurry.
 
“It was a great win for us against a very good team,” Woodin said. “We started slow and I give Central Washington a lot of credit, especially VanDyke hitting some deep three-pointers to give them an early lead. I like the way we finished the half; and while Knudsen carried us in scoring in the beginning, we played better as a team on both ends of the floor as the half progressed.”
 
MSUB remained in rhythm to start the second half and built their advantage to 18, 60-42, with 9:48 remaining. Central Washington would not go quietly, as they brought the Jackets' lead down to 11 at the 1:52 mark.
 
Despite two three-pointers in the closing minutes of the game, the Wildcats would not have enough time or offensive fire power to effectively get back into the contest. The Yellowjackets went ahead to capture the 66-59 victory.
 
“We started slow in the second half, but I give the team credit for responding well and building the lead back to double digits,” stated Woodin. “Down the stretch I felt we had some very good defensive possessions. Coaches Nathaniel Harris and Ashley Genske did a great job preparing us for Central Washington. We missed too many free throws down the stretch, going forward we will need to shoot better if we want to come out on top in close games. Overall I am very pleased; I thought it was a great team effort.”
 
MSUB is now 5-2 overall and 1-0 in the GNAC. They will face Northwest Nazarene in a home conference event on Saturday, Dec. 1 at 7:00 p.m. The Crusaders are 5-1 overall and 0-1 in the GNAC after losing to Seattle Pacific in their conference opener.
 
“We are excited to play Northwest Nazarene Saturday,” Woodin said. “They are a very good team with a lot of perimeter experience and it will be a great challenge for us.”
 
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