Billings, Mont. – After a very competitive exhibition match with interstate rival University of Great Falls, Montana State Billings women's basketball team will play a pair of away regular season non-conference games. The Yellowjackets will play Black Hills State University on Saturday, Nov. 10 then Chadron State College on Sunday, Nov. 11.
 
In last week's exhibition match Bobbi Knudsen's and Janiel Olson combined for 30 points and 17 rebounds as MSUB defeated the Argos 64-52 for the second consecutive year. The Yellowjackets shot 40 percent from the field and 77.8 from the free throw line.
 
“I thought we played hard but we definitely had some first game jitters; Great Falls played very well, they have great size and I thought they battled hard,” stated head coach Kevin Woodin. “I was pleased that we improved throughout the game. I felt in the second half we controlled the tempo better and we had some quality possessions and clutch free throw shooting down the stretch.”
 
With their first taste of live action behind them, MSUB now will start their regular season slate on the road against two solid programs.
 
First the Jackets will head to Spearfish, S.D. to face Black Hills State University on Saturday, Nov. 10. Also called the Yellow Jackets, Black Hills State has played two games this season with one being an exhibition against Dickinson State University.
 
The Yellow Jackets lost to Division I opponent South Dakota State University 90-48 last Thursday, Nov. 1 but bounced back to defeat Dickinson State 82-60 on Saturday Nov. 3. MSUB will need to key on several of Black Hills' players as they have turned in solid performances in their two contests. Guard Chelsey Biegler has scored 51 points and grabbed 13 rebounds in last week's games, including a 35 point night against Dickinson State.
 
Guard Dakota Barrie has recorded 15 points and 11 rebounds, while forward Lowgan Cowan has scored 19 points in their first pair of games.
 
The Yellowjackets will look for Brooke Tolman to continue her defensive pressure on the perimeter as she recorded three steals against Great Falls.
 
In last year's matchup MSUB defeated Black Hills State 59-40. Sophomore forward Kayleen Goggins recorded 13 points and five rebounds in the event.
 
Following their Saturday matchup the Jackets will head into Chadron, Neb. on Sunday for their bout against Chadron State College. The Eagles will look to avenge their lost from 2011-12 as MSUB defeated Chadron 77-50 in Alterowitz Gymnasium.
 
Thus far the Eagles have played two exhibition games in 2012-13 against Division I opponents Brigham Young University and the U.S. Air Force Academy. While Chadron lost both contests, they had a solid outing from Dallas Shaw in their BYU matchup as she dropped 17 points and tallied five rebounds. Versus the Air Force Academy they had three players score in double digits as guard Jazmin Lopez led the team with 14 points and nine rebounds.
 
“I am excited for our team to start the regular season,” Woodin said. “Opening on the road presents a great challenge for us. Both Black Hills State and Chadron State should be much improved over a year ago. I expect us to play at a high level and we will need to execute consistently in order to come out on top.”
To be successful on their first weekend of regular season play, MSUB will not only need a great defensive effort from the starting backcourt but also from reserves Annie DePuydt, Austin Hanser and Brandy Kumm.
 
While Saturday's game versus Black Hills State will not be streamed or have live stats, Yellowjacket fans can visit www.chadroneagles.com for live stats of Sunday's contest against Chadron State.