Billings, Mont. – Following two dominating performances last weekend by Montana State Billings women's basketball team, the Yellowjackets now stand at third in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference with an 8-3 mark, 14-5 overall. MSUB is currently on a three game winning streak as they head into Alaska this weekend.
 
The Yellowjackets extended their home winning streak to 11 games as they defeated Western Oregon 62-55 and downed Saint Martin's 75-41. Sophomore forward Monica Grimsrud made her first two starts of the season and finished with 18 points, 14 rebounds, two blocks and two steals on the weekend. She leads the team with 16 blocks on the year and is tied for eighth in the GNAC.
 
Coming down the stretch of their season, MSUB sits at a great spot to secure a more favorable seeding in the GNAC Championship Tournament. The Yellowjackets are one game ahead of Northwest Nazarene (7-3 GNAC, 15-3), one game behind Simon Fraser (9-2 GNAC, 16-3) and three games behind Western Washington (11-0 GNAC, 17-2). Simon Fraser and the Vikings still remain nationally ranked as Western Washington holds the No. 4 spot in the Feb. 5 USA Today Sports Division II Top 25 Coaches' Poll; while the Clan hold the No. 12 ranking. Northwest Nazarene received 38 votes, while MSU Billings received eight votes in the Feb. 5 poll.
 
The Yellowjackets are coming off one of their best shooting performances of the 2012-13 season, going 43.1 percent from the field while also holding Saint Martin's to 27.5 percent from the field, and 17.6 percent from three-point territory. MSUB still remains one of most efficient teams in the nation, ranking No. 2 in turnovers per game and No. 5 in turnover margin.
 
If the Yellowjackets continue to shoot well they will improve their chances of success as the regular enters its most crucial moments.
 
Bobbi Knudsen will need to continue her strong 2012-13 campaign as she leads the team in points (17.6 avg.) and assists (6.3 avg.). She ranks No. 3 nationally in both assists per game and assist to turnover ratio; while ranking No. 1 in assists and No. 2 in scoring amongst GNAC opponents.
 
Kayleen Goggins continues to remain strong in the front court, averaging 12.5 points per game and 5.2 rebounds. She ranks second on the team in both categories and holds the No. 14 slot in scoring and No. 19 spot in rebounding in the conference.
 
Janiel Olson's rebounding and defense has been nothing short of amazing; she ranks No. 3 in the GNAC in rebounding (8.7 avg.) and No. 5 in steals per game (2.4 avg.).
 
Traveling to Fairbanks first, MSUB will head into the Patty Center where they are 21-7 all-time. Alaska Fairbanks put up a good fight in their first meeting this season; and while the Nanooks have yet to win a conference game, they remain competitive in each contest. Scoring has been the Nanooks main issue; recording an -11.6 scoring margin, while allowing opponents to average 73.7 points per contest. Fairbanks is a strong rebounding team, grabbing 40.5 each outing.
 
Taylor Altenburg and April Fultz continue to record solid numbers for the Nanooks, as they are the only two players to average double digit point totals. Fultz leads the team with 12 points per game, while also averaging 5.2 rebounds. Altenburg averages 10.7 points and leads the team in rebounding with a 6.2 average.
 
Alaska Fairbanks and the Jackets are set to tip-off Thursday, Feb. 7 at 7:00 p.m. (Alaskan Time).
 
Following their bout against Fairbanks, MSUB will head into their much anticipated rematch versus Alaska Anchorage. The Seawolves' five year, 10 game win streak over MSUB was ended when the Jackets defeated Anchorage 78-64 in their Jan. 10 bout. The reigning GNAC champs have been very inconsistent this year and are currently on a two game losing streak. The Seawolves are tied with Saint Martin's for the sixth spot in the GNAC at 4-7.
 
Despite inconsistencies, Alaska Anchorage remains a very solid offensive team and spread the ball effectively; averaging 15.3 assists per game, ranking them No. 3 in the GNAC. The Seawolves own a +2.5 scoring margin over their opponents, but are out-rebounded on average with a -2.2 rebounding margin.
 
Alysa Horn and Sasha King continue their great 2012-13 campaigns and remain two of the best players in the conference. King averages 15.6 points and 5.9 assists per game; while Horn averages 14.3 points and 8.6 rebounds.
 
The Yellowjackets and Seawolves will tip-off at 7:00 p.m. (Alaskan Time) on Saturday, Feb. 9.

“This is a very important road trip for our team; we will need to play great basketball in order to come out on top,” stated ninth year head coach Kevin Woodin. “This trip is difficult on our players physically so mental toughness is really needed. I believe we are going to play well and I am excited to see how we perform.”
  
Fans can catch all of the live action through the link listed below, or “video” link next to each contest on the women's basketball schedule page.
 
GNAC Web Cast and Live Stats