Billings, Mont. – Head coach Kevin Woodin has the Montana State Billings women's basketball team off to its best start since the 2004-05 season. The Yellowjackets have won eight straight including their two exhibition matches, officially sitting at 8-2 overall and 2-0 in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference. MSUB will put their winning streak to the test as they have their first pair of conference road games this weekend.
 
Following their ten day layoff period, MSUB jumped right back into action against a very tough Division I opponent. Matching up with Montana State University Sat., Dec. 29, the Yellowjackets defeated the Bobcats 57-54 after trailing by 11 points with 7:44 remaining. While the contest was an exhibition for MSUB, it was a non-conference regular season game for Montana State.
 
For their efforts, the Jackets received the GNAC Team of the Week award. Junior guard and co-captain Bobbi Knudsen had a game high 15 points while sophomore forward Kayleen Goggins poured in 12. Janiel Olson finished with eight points and seven rebounds, tying Knudsen for the team's high.
 
Knudsen has started the 2012-13 season strong; averaging 18.6 points and 6.2 assists per game. She leads the GNAC in scoring and ranks second in assists. Nationally Knudsen ranks seventh in assists and No. 23 in scoring. She currently has 968 career points, entering this weekend 32 points shy of joining the 1,000 point career scorers list. Her 533 points in 2011-12 ranks eighth for the most points in a single season in MSUB women's basketball program history.
 
As a team, the Jackets currently rank 59^th nationally in scoring offense, averaging 71.7 points per game. MSU Billings' offense has been very efficient thus far; ranking among the top teams in the nation in turnovers (No. 2), assist to turnover ratio (No. 11) and turnover margin (No. 12).
 
While the Yellowjackets' shooting has been inconsistent, defense and rebounding have been great all season. MSUB averages 11.4 steals per game, forces 19.8 turnovers and grabs 38.6 rebounds per contest. In order to be successful this weekend the Jackets will need to remain consistent in these areas.
 
MSU Billings first matchup will be against Saint Martin's University in Lacey, Wash. on Thursday, Jan. 3. The Yellowjackets are 18-8 all-time against the Saints and have won three straight. Extending this streak will not be an easy task as Saint Martin's is currently undefeated at home, and are riding a three game winning streak. Their overall record is 7-5, with a 0-2 GNAC mark.
 
The Saints are having trouble scoring this season, only averaging 54.4 points per game. Turnovers have been an issue for Saint Martin's as they have 248 total, 20.7 per contest. Individually, Chelsea Haskey and Brooke Paulson have started the 2012-13 season well, averaging 12.5 and 11.5 points per game respectively. Haskey will be a formidable opponent on the glass for Olson, as she is averaging 7.1 rebounds per game.
 
Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. (Pacific Time).
 
Following the Saint Martin's matchup, the Yellowjackets will travel to Monmouth, Ore. to compete against Western Oregon University on Saturday, Jan. 5. MSUB has won the last five contests versus the Wolves and lead the all-time series 16-4.
 
Western Oregon is off to a slow start in 2012-13, currently standing at 5-7 overall and 0-2 in the GNAC. The Wolves have also recently hit a rough patch, losing three straight, with their most recent defeat coming in overtime against Northwest Christian University. Despite their record Western Oregon is rebounding the ball well, averaging 41.8 boards per game. The Wolves come into this matchup averaging 63.6 points per game but have not had success shooting the ball this season; going .376 percent from the field and .683 percent from the free throw line. While the Wolves have not had much team success, Mariah Durian has played great, scoring 168 points and grabbing 75 rebounds.
 
Lorrie Clifford and Dana Goularte are also off to good starts in 2012-13, averaging 12.6 and 12.0 points per contest. Durian, Goularte and Whitney Rodriguez all average six plus rebounds a game. MSUB and Western Oregon are set to tip-off at 1:00 p.m. (Pacific Time).
 
“This is an important trip for our team; our league is once again very balanced and tough,” stated Woodin. “As of today, no one in the GNAC has registered a road conference win in women's basketball this season. In order for us to win this week on the road, we will need to execute on both ends of the floor and play extremely well. We are looking forward to playing at Saint Martin's and Western Oregon.”

Yellowjacket fans can watch both away contests live by clicking on the link listed below.

GNAC Web Stream and Live Stats