BILLINGS, Mont. – The Montana State University Billings Women's basketball team will return to play in the New Year as they will host two conference teams this week. 
 
MSU Billings will face Simon Fraser University on Thursday and Western Washington University on Saturday.
 
After a 12-day break the Yellowjackets are back on the court as the team begins 2014 at home against two teams that have already played each other, but not MSUB.
 
"We are looking forward to getting back into GNAC play," Head Coach Kevin Woodin said. "It will be nice to be at home after the holiday break and we are ready to begin this next phase of competition."
 
Montana State University Billings was last in Las Vegas for the Holiday Hoops Tournament in which they split a pair of games.  Against first-time opponent Texas Woman's University, the Yellowjackets won 78-58.  In the game against #6 Drury University, the Panthers escaped MSUB at the buzzer 75-76. 
 
Last season Simon Fraser University finished at 25-6.  The Clan was ranked as high as No. 6 nationally. They lost three senior starters and preseason SFU was picked to finish fourth in the conference.
 
Simon Fraser is 7-2 this season, 1-0 in Great Northwest Athletic Conference (GNAC) play.  The Clan won their game against Western Washington University back on December 7, 62-58.  Erin Chambers is leading the team and the conference in points per game with 27.0.  Chambers was a preseason All-Conference selection.  She is also sixth in field goal percentage (.583) and tied for 10^th in free-throw percentage at 93 percent in the GNAC.  Ellen Kett is second for the Clan in assists and is tied for second in conference play with four assists per game.  Katie Lowen is first in the GNAC in steals per game with four.
 
"Both SFU and WWU are again very good," Coach Woodin stated.  "They are well coached and present great challenges for our team."
 
Western Washington University finished their 2012-13 season at 29-5, 17-1 in the GNAC.  The Vikings made it to the NCAA Div. II Elite Eight, losing to Ashland in the semi-finals 54-66.  Preseason for 2013-14, WWU was picked to finish third in the conference.
 
Western Washington is 4-5 on the season, 0-1 in the GNAC.  Like MSUB, WWU took part in the South Point Holiday Hoops Tournament in Las Vegas.  They also won their game against Texas Woman's, 80-44, and lost to #6 Drury University, 61-69.
 
As a team, the Vikings are being led by Katie Colard and Jenni White who both have double-digit point averages in 10.6 and 10.2 respectively.  Marcel Pounds is third in the GNAC in field goal percentage with 63 percent.  On the boards, WWU is led by Sarah Hill who is averaging 7.1 per game. 
 
For MSUB, Bobbi Knudsen is the team leader averaging 14.3 points and six assists per game.  She is second in three-point shots made and first in free-throws.  Against TWU and Drury in Las Vegas, Knudsen had 32 points, 17 assists, and 14 rebounds for the two games.  Her performance earned her an All-Tournament selection as well as the conference Red Lion / GNAC Player of the Week.
 
Knudsen is fifth in the GNAC in points, tied for fourth in assists, and first in free-throw percentage.
 
Kayleen Goggins is averaging 12.6 points for the Yellowjackets.  For the two games in Las Vegas, Goggins produced 34 points including 24 points and four three-point baskets in the game against Drury.  Like Knudsen, Goggins was named to the All-Tournament team.
 
Chelsea Banis is averaging 10.2 points per contest.  She is second in the conference in field goal percentage at 71 percent and tied for second in blocked shots.
 
Janiel Olson, at 9.8, is almost averaging 10 rebounds per game.  She is tied for first in defensive rebounds in the conference, and sits at fourth in offensive rebounds. 
 
"We will need to play great defense and rebound effectively this week," Coach Woodin stated.  "On offense, we need to be efficient and make the extra pass."
 
In a game sponsored by Billings Hotel and Convention Center, Montana State University Billings will play Simon Fraser University Thursday, Jan. 2 at 7 PM.  They will then face Western Washington University Saturday, Jan. 4 at 7 PM.  Both contests will have live video and live stats available at MSUBSports.com.