Billings, Mont. – With a four game losing streak looming over their head, the Montana State Billings women's basketball team is looking to end the regular season on a high note this weekend. While the Yellowjackets have secured a spot in the GNAC Championship Tournament, their seeding will depend on the success of this weekend.
 
At 15-9 overall and 9-7 in the GNAC, MSUB finds itself tied with Seattle Pacific for fifth in conference standings. This weekend will have a direct effect on the Jackets and Falcons seeding, as both teams are one game behind Northwest Nazarene and a half game behind Alaska Anchorage.
 
Despite losing to Seattle Pacific last week, MSUB had one of their best shooting performances from the field (41.3 percent). The Jackets will most certainly need to stay consistent with this shooting trend if they plan on being successful not only against the Crusaders and Wildcats, but also in the GNAC tournament.
 
Until a recent three game skid, Northwest Nazarene was one of the hottest teams in the conference, winning 13 out of 14 contests from Dec. 7, 2012 through Feb. 14, 2013. During their run, the Crusaders earned a No. 22 ranking in the Feb. 12 USA Today Sports Division II Top 25 Coaches' Poll. Northwest Nazarene currently ranks third in GNAC standings and lead the Yellowjackets by one game.
 
With a plus 7.2 scoring margin (71.1 avg.), the Crusaders rank third in the conference in scoring margin. They also rank No. 2 in rebounding margin, grabbing 42 per game compared to their opponents 36 per game.  MSUB will welcome the challenge of stopping the GNAC leading scorer, Megan Hingston, who averages 18.4 points per game. Hingston also ranks No. 3 in rebounding with an 8.9 per contest average. Chelsie Luke is also having a great season, averaging 14.8 points and 5.8 rebounds per game.
 
The Jackets and Northwest Nazarene will tip-off at the Johnson Sports Complex at 5:15 p.m. (Pacific Time) on Thursday, Feb. 28.
 
After this contest MSUB will travel to Ellensburg, Wash. for the proverbial “trap game” against Central Washington. 2012-13 has been a rough year for the Wildcats; statistically Central Washington is eliminated from the GNAC tournament and is playing for “pride” as they enter the final week of their season. While the Yellowjackets defeated the Wildcats 66-59, Central Washington still poses a threat as they can affect MSUB's seeding in the conference tournament with a victory.
 
The Wildcats are averaging 64.9 points and 38.6 rebounds per contest, owning a plus 1.5 scoring margin and plus 3.4 rebounding margin. Central Washington has been solid defensively all season, ranking No. 2 in blocks per game in the GNAC with a 4.3 average. Jessica VanDyke has produced solid numbers this season, averaging 12.2 points and 4.8 rebounds. Freshman Jasmine Parker leads the GNAC in blocks with 59 (2.5 avg.).
 
MSU Billings and the Wildcats will compete Saturday, March 2 at 5:15 (Pacific Time) in the Nicholson Pavilion.
 
After a slight scoring slump, senior guard and co-captain Brooke Tolman has picked a great time to return to her early season form; scoring in double figures in her last two contests. Against Seattle Pacific she recorded an 11 point performance shooting 57.1 percent from the field (4-7) and 50 percent from behind the arch (3-6). Tolman averages 7.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.6 steals per game. In the GNAC she ranks No. 14 in steals. MSUB will need her level of production to continue as they gear up for the conference tournament.
 
Junior guard and co-captain Bobbi Knudsen will be focused on her second showdown with Hingston, as Knudsen is the second leading scorer in the GNAC, with a 17.5 per game average. She is also No. 2 in the conference in assists dishing 5.9 per game. In their first matchup Knudsen dropped 18 points while also tallying eight assists.
 
Kayleen Goggins and Janiel Olson continue to remain strong in the front court; with Goggins being second on the team and No. 15 in the GNAC in scoring (11.9 avg.), and Olson leading the team and No. 4 in the conference in rebounding at  8.8 per contests.
 
“We are looking forward to these two games; it would be nice if we could get a victory or two before heading to the tournament next week,” stated ninth year head coach Kevin Woodin. “However, both of these teams are quality opponents and it will take a great effort to come out on top.”
 
Yellowjackets' fans can click the links below or the links on the women's basketball schedule page to watch a live stream of both games.
 
GNAC Web Stream and Live Stats