Box Score
Box Score
 
Coach Woodin Post-Game Interview        Grimsrud Post-Game Interview  
 
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Billings, Mont. – In a very competitive match Saturday evening, the Montana State Billings women's basketball team used a strong second half performance to extend their winning streak to four games. Monica Grimsrud scored the game winning basket with 16 seconds left to defeat Northwest Nazarene 69-68.
 
Northwest Nazarene came out strong, with Megan Hingston leading the charge. She recorded a double-double on the night scoring a game high 26 points, and team leading 12 rebounds. Chelsie Luke and Ellen Ferrenburg also scored in double figures for the Crusaders with each having 11 points.
 
Janiel Olson was a beast on the boards, recording a career high 15, with 10 coming on the offensive end. She also scored eight points, stole four passes and blocked one shot in the contest. Three of the Yellowjacket starters scored in double figures, with Bobbi Knudsen having a team high 18 points. Brooke Tolman and Kayleen Goggins both scored 12 points each, with six and eight of their points coming in the second half.
 
MSUB and Northwest Nazarene combined for seven lead changes and brought the score to a dead lock four separate times.
 
Both teams traded baskets early in the first half. With 11:31 remaining and the scored tied at 14 all, the Crusaders went on a 13-5 run to take the eight point advantage and bring the score to 27-19 at the 5:13 mark. The Yellowjackets countered with a 7-2 run to cut the lead to three, 29-26, with 1:49 remaining.

 
Despite MSUB's efforts late in the half, Northwest Nazarene hit some tough shots in the remaining time in the half and closed out the first half with a 37-30 lead.
 
“It was a tremendous game, I give a lot of credit to Northwest Nazarene, the first half they were more aggressive to the ball and got a lot of extra possessions,” stated head coach Kevin Woodin. “Honestly I felt fortunate to only be down seven at the half.”
 
Hingston had the hot hand as she shot 7-10 and ended with 15 points in the half.
 
“Hingston is a phenomenal player and very tough to guard,” Woodin said. “She can score from anywhere on the court and played a great game tonight.”
 
The Yellowjackets came out aggressive in the second half but the Crusaders matched their intensity and owned a nine point advantage, 52-43, at the 14:59 mark. With Northwest Nazarene in control of the game, it seemed as if they would continue to keep MSUB at arm's length.
 
Knowing they needed to put together a great effort to cut into the opponents lead, MSUB made their move with a 15-5 run to regain the lead with 8:12 remaining, 58-57. The Yellowjackets pushed their lead to five at the 3:53 mark, but the Crusaders would use a Kylee Schierman layup, two free throws and a jumper by Hingston to take the 68-67 lead with 40 seconds remaining.
 
With the game in the balance MSUB ran an offensive set that gave Grimsrud an open look, but she would not find success on her attempt. Not being denied, Olson came up with her most important rebound of the night and dished the ball to a cutting Grimsrud as she completed the play with a layup to give the Jackets the 69-68 lead with 16 seconds on the clock.
 
Northwest Nazarene got the ball to Hingston in hopes of stealing the victory in the closing moments but MSUB's defense forced a tough shot and the Yellowjackets went ahead to capture their second GNAC victory of the season.
 
“I was proud of our team and the way we battled back in the second half to take the lead,” stated Woodin. “We tightened up our defense and got some transition opportunities. Annie DePuydt and Grimsrud came off the bench and gave us a spark. Overall it was a great game for our fans to watch, I'm proud of our team for hanging in there against a really good team.”
 
MSUB was out rebounded for the second straight game, with the Crusaders owing the 42-39 advantage. The Jackets did however have more offensive rebounds than Northwest Nazarene, grabbing 21 to the Crusaders 14. MSUB continues to remain tenacious on defense, forcing their opponent into 16 turnovers on the night compared to their eight.
 
The Yellowjackets are now 5-2 overall and 2-0 in the GNAC. Friday, Dec. 7 will feature a double-header event against South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. The women's game will tip off at 5:30 p.m.
 
“S.D. Mines is a very good team and we look forward to playing against them next Friday,” Woodin said.
 
The Hardrockers come into town with a 6-2 overall record and a five game winning streak.