Billings, Mont. – Standing at 12-5 overall, 6-3 in the GNAC; Montana State Billings women's basketball team enters the second half of GNAC play tied for third. The Yellowjackets will look to extend their home winning streak in this set of weekend's games against Western Oregon and Saint Martin's.
 
MSUB used a strong second half push to defeat Seattle Pacific University Saturday, Jan. 26. The Falcons led 34-27 before the Jackets came back to best them 66-56 at the end of regulation. Monica Grimsrud came off the bench to record career highs in points, 15, and blocks, three. She also grabbed six rebounds and stole one pass. The dual sport student-athlete has been a key attribution to the front court and continues to see increased minutes.
 
Despite continuing shooting troubles, the Jackets have a +6.2 scoring margin over their opponents. They also have a +2.2 margin in rebounding. MSUB averages 70.6 points and 39.1 rebounds per game. The strongest area the Yellowjackets have been in proficient in all season is turnovers and defense.
 
MSUB averages 10.6 steals and forces their opponents into 18.7 turnovers per contest, while only committing 12.1 errors per game. In the GNAC the Jackets rank No. 1 in turnover margin and assists to turnover ratio, and No. 2 in steals. Nationally MSUB ranks No. 3 in turnovers per game and assists to turnover, and No. 5 in turnover margin.
 
Kayleen Goggins, Bobbi Knudsen and Janiel Olson have been the strongest performers for the team thus far with Knudsen leading the team in points (18.4 avg.) and assists (6.4 avg.). Nationally she ranks third in assists per game and assist to turnover ratio. Among GNAC competitors, she ranks No. 1 in both points per game and assists per game.
 
Goggins has had a great sophomore season, averaging 12.4 points and 5.2 rebounds per game; both are increases from her freshman campaign. In the conference she ranks 14^th in scoring and 19^th in rebounding. Olson has been one of the best rebounders in the GNAC, ranking third with an 8.8 average. She also averages 9.4 points per contests.
 
Kicking off the second half of their GNAC slate Thursday, Jan. 31 against Western Oregon, MSUB will look to avenge their earlier lost. The Wolves defeated the Yellowjackets in their last match-up 73-65. Western Oregon shot the lights out of the gym going 52.9 percent from the field (27-51) and 58.8 percent from three-point territory (10-17).
 
While the Wolves defeated MSUB, they have lost four out of their last five GNAC contests, with their lone win coming against Alaska Fairbanks who is currently in last place in conference standings. Western Oregon averages 61.9 points and 39.2 rebounds per game; while having a -4.5 scoring margin. Lorrie Clifford and Mariah Durian have been the top performers for the Wolves this year. Clifford averages 12.4 points and 4.4 rebounds per game; and scored 18 in her last match against MSUB. Durian averages 12.8 points and 5.0 rebounds per contest.
 
Tip-off begins at 7:00 p.m. in Alterowitz Gymnasium. Thursday's event is also “Free Burrito Night” sponsored by Qdoba. Fans that attend the game will receive one free burrito from Qdoba.
 
Following their bout with Western Oregon, the Yellowjackets will host Saint Martin's on Saturday, Feb. 2. The Saints (11-8, 4-5) enter this weekend slate of games in a three way tie with Seattle Pacific and Alaska Anchorage for fifth in the GNAC. In their first meeting this season, MSUB defeated Saint Martin's 67-49. Despite three ties early in the game, the Jackets led for the majority of the contest and effectively kept the Saints at a double-digit deficit.
 
The Saints lost a close game against Alaska Anchorage, 48-45 in their most recent outing. As a team they average 56.6 points per game on 37.5 percent shooting. Saint Martin's has struggled with turnovers this season, averaging 19.7 per contest. Chelsea Haskey continues to impress in 2013-13, averaging 14.4 points and 6.8 rebounds per game. She scored 16 points in their last meeting with MSUB. Haskey ranks 10^th in the GNAC in scoring.
 
Saturday's contest tips-off at 7:00 p.m.
 
“These are both very important games as we begin the second half of the GNAC schedule,” stated head coach Kevin Woodin. “Western Oregon beat us earlier this month so obviously we will need to put forth a great effort to come out on top. They really shot the ball well when we previously played so we must defend better while also being efficient on offense. St. Martins is one is the hottest teams in the league. They too present a great challenge for our team.”
 
Yellowjacket fans who are unable to attend either event can click the link below or the “video” link on the women's basketball schedule page to see all of the live action.
 
MSUB Sports Web Stream and Live Stats