Billings, Mont. – Following their seventh and eighth straight home victory, the Montana State Billings women's basketball team remain unbeaten at Alterowitz Gymnasium in 2012-13. Currently the Yellowjackets rank second in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference as they enter this weekend's games versus two top ten nationally ranked opponents.
 
MSUB currently stands at 5-1 in the GNAC, 11-3 overall. Western Washington ranks first in the conference at 5-0, 11-2 overall; while Simon Fraser ranks third with a 4-1 GNAC mark, and 11-2 overall record. In the Jan. 15 USA Today Sports Division II Coaches Top 25 Poll, Western Washington is ranked No. 8 nationally and Simon Fraser is No. 10. The Yellowjackets received eight votes for ranking consideration.
 
Before losing to the Vikings on a buzzer-beater in their Jan. 12 contest, the Clan was No. 7 in the nation and Western Washington was No. 11 nationally.
 
In last weekend's match ups, the Jackets ended a five year, 10 game drought against Alaska Anchorage, defeating the Seawolves 78-64. MSUB came out equally strong against Alaska Fairbanks and completed the weekend sweep over their Alaskan opponents. Junior guard Bobbi Knudsen recorded 13 assists in the contest, tying the single game record for assists in the program's history. With 264 career assists, she ranks ninth all-time in Yellowjacket women's basketball history.
 
With their current position in the conference, MSUB has a great opportunity to capture the pole position in the GNAC and control their destiny for the remainder of the season. Both Thursday and Saturday's match ups will be defensive struggles as Simon Fraser, Western Washington and MSU Billings are ranked No. 1 through No. 3 in scoring defense among GNAC teams.
 
The Yellowjackets own a +9.1 scoring margin over their opponents as they average 71.4 points per game while only allowing opponents to average 62.3 points.
 
Knudsen leads the GNAC in assists per game (6.6 avg.) and is ranked No. 3 nationally. She also ranks second in scoring with an 18.2 per game average. Janiel Olson ranks second in the GNAC in rebounds (8.9 avg.) and steals (2.7). Senior guard and co-captain, Brooke Tolman has also been great defensively in 2012-13, ranking No. 10 in the conference in steals with a 2.0 per game average.
 
After a tough loss Simon Fraser enters this contest determined to get back into the winning column. The Clan will have the comfort of playing at home where they have yet to drop a match this season. Simon Fraser averages 72.8 points per game and have a +19.5 scoring margin over their opponents. The Clan does a great job of distributing, averaging 18.3 assists per game; they also have shot the ball well this season with a .459 field goal percentage.
 
Nayo Raincock-Ekunwe is one of the best players in the nation, as she has nine double-doubles on the season, averaging 16.2 points and 13.4 rebounds. In the GNAC she ranks No. 1 in rebounding and No. 3 in scoring; nationally she is No. 2 in rebounding and No. 1 in field goal percentage.
 
MSUB and Simon Fraser are set to play on Thursday, Jan. 17 at 7 p.m. (Pacific Time). The Jackets' own a 3-2 advantage in the all-time series, but the Clan have won the last two match ups.
 
At the conclusion of MSUB's game in Burnaby, British Columbia, the Yellowjackets will head into Bellingham, Wash. to face off against Western Washington on Saturday, Jan. 19 at 7 p.m. (Pacific Time). The Vikings enter the contest with momentum from a five game winning streak, including their most recent upset victory over Simon Fraser. Western Washington also plays well at home as they have won all of their games in Carver Gym. The Vikings' defense has been great all season as they only allow their opponents to score 58.5 points per game, while forcing 17.7 turnovers in each match.
 
Britt Harris and Trishi Williams lead the charge for the Vikings averaging 14.6 and 10.7 points per game respectively. While Sarah Hill leads the team in rebounding with 6.9 per contest, both Harris and Williams snatch five plus boards a game. Western Washington has a lot of depth as seven players have started a minimum of five games on the year.
 
While MSUB historically has not had success on the Vikings home court, Saturday's match will be a perfect chance to break the trend.
 
“We are very excited to go and play Simon Fraser and Western Washington this week,” stated head coach Kevin Woodin. “They are both ranked nationally and they are extremely talented basketball teams.  This trip will give us a great measuring stick as to how we compare to both of them at this point in the season. We are looking forward to the challenge and I know we will have to play fundamentally sound basketball and execute on both ends of the court in order to be successful.”

To watch away contests live, Yellowjacket fans can click the link below or the “video” link next to each game on the women's basketball schedule page.

GNAC web stream and live stats