BILLINGS, Mont. – The Montana State Billings Women's Basketball team is headed on their yearly trip to Alaska to play the University of Alaska Anchorage and the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
 
This will be the start of conference play for MSU Billings (Great Northwest Athletic Conference), and the Yellowjackets are excited to start this part of their season.
 
 "We are looking forward to opening conference play," Head Coach Kevin Woodin said.  "Both Anchorage and Fairbanks are much improved from over a year ago and I know we will have to play very well in order to come out on top."
 
The University of Alaska Anchorage is 5-1 on the season.  Last week they faced Div. I competition in UC Riverside, winning the contest in overtime 83-78, before falling to Georgetown 78-92.  The Seawolves are being led by Alli Madison and freshman Kiki Robertson.  Madison is averaging 17.7 points per game and 4.8 rebounds.  Robertson was the GNAC player of the week for her performance in last week's games.  She averaged 16.5 points, had 12 steals, and 11 assists over the two contests.  Individually, Robertson ranks No. 2 in Division II for steals per game with 5.33 and No. 6 in assists with 7.2.   As a whole, UAA is shooting 40 percent from the field, 30 percent from the three-point arc, and 71 percent from the free-throw line.  They are averaging 89.7 points per game, with 49.7 rebounds and 18.3 turn-overs, with 18.2 steals
 
"Anchorage really likes to apply both full court and half court pressure," Coach Woodin stated.  "It will be important for us to make the extra pass and keep our poise."
 
Originally slated to finish 10 out of 10 in the GNAC preseason coaches' poll, the University of Alaska Fairbanks (6-2)  started off their season going 4-0 before falling to Hawaii Hilo in a close contest 58-60, and then last week against No. 22 Wayne State 64-82.  The Nanooks also have some talented freshmen on their roster; three of their top four producers in points per game are first year student-athletes.   Jordan Wilson is UAF's current leader in points per game with 15.0, and rebounds per game with 7.6.    Benissa Bulaya is second with a 9.0 points per game average.  Alaska Fairbanks is shooting 42.6 percent from the field, with 42.5 rebounds, and 13.5 assists. 

Montana State Billings is 5-2 on the season.  The team's two losses came at the Disney Classic Tip-Off in Anaheim, Calif.  Since the early losses to Pittsburgh State and the University of Indianapolis, MSU Billings has gone on a five game winning streak, including the last four at home against fellow Montana schools.  The Yellowjackets are looking to that momentum and the hard work they have put in since the beginning of play in November as they face their first conference tests.
 
"I am pleased with the way we have been improving over the past couple of weeks," Head Coach Woodin said.  "We have shot the ball better and limited our turnovers on offense.  Defensively, we have rebounded better and we have been more consistent."
 
MSU Billings is averaging 73.6 points per game.  They are shooting 45 percent from the field, and 32 percent from the three-point arc.  The Yellowjackets are averaging 33.1 rebounds per game and shooting 70 percent from the free-throw line.  Kayleen Goggins is leading MSUB with 14.1 points per game.  Bobbi Knudsen with 12.9 points as well as a leader in assists with 6.0, and Annie DePuydt with 10.9 points.  Janiel Olson is the leading rebounder with a 7.5 average. 
 
DuPuydt had a leading 17 points in last weeks' game against the University of Montana Northern.  She was 7-10 from the field and a perfect 3-3 from three-point territory.  Her performance in last week's games earned DuPuydt a GNAC Player of the Week Honorable Mention.
 
One of the growing strengths of the MSUB team has been their offensive points spread.  In the last three games, at least four players have scored points totaling in the double-digits.
 
"Our depth and offensive balance has been a strength recently," Coach Woodin said.  "All of our players have made a positive contribution to our team." 
 
Montana State Billings will face the University of Alaska Anchorage on Thursday Dec. 5 at 7 PM Alaskan Standard Time.  They will then travel further north to play the University of Alaska Fairbanks on Saturday Dec. 7 at 7 PM Alaskan Standard Time.  Live video and live stats for both contests can be found at MSUBSports.com.