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Woodin Post-Game Interview                  Olson Post-Game Interview                Capouch National Anthem

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Billings, Mont. - Montana State Billings women's basketball had no signs of a let up after their big win Thursday night. The Yellowjackets defeated the University of Alaska Fairbanks 73-67, improving to 11-3 overall on the season and 5-1 Great Northwest Athletic Conference.
 
With 86 field goal attempts, MSUB has the highest attempts of any GNAC school in a single game thus far this season. MSUB struggled to convert these opportunities as they only shot 29.1 percent from the field and 29.6 percent from three-point territory. The Yellowjackets did finish 78.9 percent from the charity stripe, hitting big free throws down the stretch.
 
As a team MSUB out-rebounded the opposition 46-40, but the Nanooks held the edge in defensive rebounds 34-21. Alaska Fairbanks had a solid shooting night which allowed them to stay in the contest; finishing 46.9 percent from the field and 41.7 percent from behind the arch.
 
“It was a hard fought win; I give Fairbanks credit they made shots and would not go away,” stated head coach Kevin Woodin. “I was proud of our team for hanging in there and making big plays down the stretch.”
 
Individually, several players had career highs for the Jackets. Bobbi Knudsen had a career high 13 assists, tying the single game record for assists in a single contest. With 264 career assists, she now is tied No. 9 all-time with PJ Eubank.
 
“Knudsen did a great job of facilitating the offense and finding the open player tonight.” Woodin said.
 
To go along with 14 rebounds, Janiel Olson had a career high 16 points to lead the team in scoring on the night. She also finished with four steals. Monica Grimsrud came off the bench to have her best rebounding output as a Yellowjacket, registering 11 on the evening.
 
Senior co-captain Brooke Tolman was active defensively tying her career high in steals, finishing with four in the contest. She also recorded 10 points and three rebounds.
 
Quinn Peoples had got out of her shooting slump as she came off the bench to go 5-8 from the field, finishing with 13 points.
 
“Olson had a complete game, shooting the ball well from the free throw line and grabbing 14 rebounds,” stated Woodin. “It was also nice to see Peoples come off the bench to hit some big shots for us.”
 
Fairbanks had a very balanced scoring attack as four starters finished with double figures in points. April Fultz had a game high 17 points. She also finished with three assists, two steals and one block. Taylor Altenburg chipped in 12 points, while Benissa Bulaya and Kelly Logue both finished with 10.
 
Jacqueline Lovato led the Nanooks with 10 rebounds in the match.
 
The Yellowjackets led the entire contest but their shooting troubles allowed Fairbanks to stay in the game. At 11:56 in the first half MSUB held an eight point advantage (20-12), but the Nanooks cut the lead down to four (22-18) with 7:50 remaining.
 
At 6:08 with the Jackets up seven (27-20), Fairbanks went on an 8-2 run to come within one (29-28) and 2:27 remaining in the half. MSUB held their composure, and stopped the opposition's momentum with a big three by Kayleen Goggins at 1:48.
 
MSUB entered halftime owning a six point advantage (37-31). Knudsen led all scorers with nine points.
 
“We were sloppy in the first half and I felt fortunate to be up six entering the break,” Woodin said.
 
The Yellowjackets pushed their lead to double digits five separate times in the second half; with their largest lead on the night coming at 5:43 remaining in the game (66-54). Alaska Fairbanks would not go away quietly and used an 8-0 run to come within four (66-62) at the 2:40 mark.
 
Both teams traded baskets down the stretch and the Nanooks found themselves down three (70-67) with 25 seconds left, and on the verge of tying the contest. Fairbanks gave a great effort, but would not be able to complete their comeback attempt and would eventually fall to the Jackets 73-67.
 
“It was important in the second half we did a much better job on the boards,” stated Woodin. “Our offensive rebounding was key. In the last two minutes we got some critical defensive stops and hit some key free throws to close the contest.”
 
The Nanooks drop to 2-11 overall and 0-5 in the GNAC, as the Jackets go on to extend their home winning streak to eight games.
 
MSUB has a great challenge ahead of them next weekend. The Yellowjackets travel to Burnaby, British Columbia to face Simon Fraser University on Thursday, Jan. 17 then to Bellingham, Wash. on Saturday, Jan. 19 to compete against Western Washington University. Entering this weekend the Clan was 11-1 overall, 4-0 in the GNAC and nationally ranked No. 7 in the Jan. 8 USA Today Sports Division II Top 25 Coaches Poll; Western Washington was 10-2 overall, 4-0 in the GNAC and No. 11 nationally.
 
“We are looking forward to our road trip next weekend against two great teams that are ranked top 15 in the nation,” Woodin said. “We know we will need to play well, and I think it will give us a great measuring tool to see where we are at, at this point in the season. I am excited for the opportunity to play them.”

*Note* Freshman Tenika Capouch sing the National Anthem