WBB Quick Facts

BILLINGS, Mont. – The Montana State Billings Women's Basketball team will play its home-opener on Saturday.
 
The Yellowjackets will open-up their home season hosting Chadron State College in a non-conference match-up.  Chadron is a NCAA Div. II University in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) and a familiar opponent for the Yellowjackets.  In the last four years, MSUB has played the Eagles six times winning four out of six, including last year when they met in Chadron where Montana State Billings took the contest 79-64.
 
MSU Billings (1-2) is looking forward to getting their season started in Alterowitz Gymnasium and playing in front of the home crowd and fans.
 
"It will be nice to play in front of our home crowd," Head Coach Kevin Woodin said.  "I am hopeful that we will create some momentum with 4 of our next five games at home between now and Thanksgiving break."
 
Last week the Yellowjackets were in California at the Disney Classic Tip-Off where they went 1-2, losing to Pittsburgh State 71-77 in a very close game, were shut-out against the University of Indianapolis 45-87, but recovered and played well against Cal State East Bay finishing the Pioneers 77-73.
 
After their first three games, Kayleen Goggins is currently the Yellowjacket's high-scorer averaging 15.7 points per game.  GNAC Preseason Player of the Year Bobbi Knudsen has a 13.7 average.  She leads the team in assists and is a perfect 12 for 12 from the free-throw line.
 
Janiel Olson is leading the team in rebounds with 7.0 per game.  Chelsea Banis has the highest field goal percentage with .545 and Annie DePuydt is second going 11-21 with a .524.
 
"We are really looking forward to playing at home this weekend," Coach Woodin said.  "We have had some great battles over the years with Chadron and I know we will again have our hands full."
 
The Chadron State Eagles are 0-2 in the early season.  They opened up the season with games at Missouri Western where they were shut out 38-59, and home against Wayne State where the Eagles lost the contest 59-78, struggling on the floor as they shot 39 percent from the field.
 
Kayli Rageth is leading Chadron State.  She is 9-20 with 36 points and 11 rebounds.  Kattie Ranta has 14 points, and is leading the Eagles on the glass with a 10.5 rebounds per game average.
 
Last season, the Chadron State women finished with a 5-21 record and in the preseason RMAC coaches' poll, the Eagles were projected to end the 2013-14 campaign tied for 13th in the 14-team league, but Chadron returns all five starters from last season and have added some new recruits to the roster including 6-1 Leana Tajkov, a native of Serbia, and from Texas, 6-foot freshman Maddie Metzger.
 
The game should be a good contest between two teams who are looking to gain some footing in the early season. 
 
"We will need to show improvement in taking care of the basketball as we have had too many turnovers so far," Coach Woodin stated.  "Also, we need to play better team defense and we need to establish more consistent play throughout the game on both ends of the floor."
 
The Yellowjackets will begin their home campaign Saturday November 16 at 7 PM in Alterowitz Gymnasium on the campus of Montana State Billings.  Live video, live stats, and live commentary will be available at MSUBSports.com.