BILLINGS, Mont. – The Montana State University Billings Women's Basketball team travels to Seattle for one conference game this week.  The Yellowjackets will face Seattle Pacific University on Saturday, Jan. 11 at 3 PM Pacific Time.
 
Currently, MSU Billings is 10-4 overall and 3-1 in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference.  Last week the Yellowjackets hosted Simon Fraser University and Western Washington University. 
 
In the game against SFU, Montana State University Billings won the contest 81-63.  The Yellowjackets led by as much as 20 points.  Four players scored points in the double-digits.  Bobbi Knudsen had a team-high 18 points, six assists, and two steals.  Janiel Olson had a double-double with 11 points and a team-high 12 rebounds.  Kayleen Goggins had 11 points and eight rebounds while Chelsea Banis was 5-7 from with field with 11 points and seven rebounds.
 
Against Western Washington University the Yellowjackets won the contest 82-69.  MSUB shot 43.8 percent from the field and was 21-22 from the free-throw line for 95.5 percent in the game.  MSU Billings led by as much as 23 points.  The win at home stopped a nine-game losing streak to the Vikings, dating back to 2009.
 
In the win against WWU, Knudsen had a career-high 37 points.  She made 14 of 21 shots, including 3-4 from three-point territory, for a shooting percentage of 66.6 percent.  Her 37 points is the highest by a woman's player in the GNAC this season and equals the sixth highest total in GNAC history.  Knudsen was a perfect 6-6 from the free-throw line, had a game-high six assists, and two steals.
 
For her efforts, Knudsen earned her fifth career Red Lion / GNAC Player of the Week honor.  This was her second in the season as well as her second in-a-row, as she had been awarded the conference honor for her performance in the Las Vegas South Point Holiday Hoops Classic Dec. 19 and 20.  Her fifth honor ties Knudsen for third place in the GNAC all-time list for most in women's basketball.
 
Montana State University Billings is 18-23 all-time against Seattle Pacific University.  They are 12-5 at home and 5-16 on the road.  Last year MSUB split their conference contests with SPU, and then lost to the Falcons in the GNAC post-season tournament 60-63.
 
This year, Seattle Pacific University is 8-4 on the season, 1-3 in the GNAC.  Ranked as high as No. 9 in the nation, the Falcons have dropped their last three games at home and have since dropped out of the rankings.  
 
"SPU is an excellent team," Head Coach Kevin Woodin said.  "I know they will be very focused after losing two close games last week."
 
Seattle Pacific dropped a game against West Texas A&M before the holiday break, 65-74 and then lost their two conference games last week.  SPU dropped their first one to Western Washington University last Thursday, Jan. 2, 77-84, and then on Saturday, Jan. 4 to Simon Fraser University 60-63.
 
"We will need to be at our very best for this week's game," Coach Woodin said.  "I believe the GNAC conference is deeper and better than ever and certainly Seattle Pacific is no exception.  Their team will be especially eager to play well after the last few contests at home."
 
As a team the Falcons are shooting 41 percent from the field and 24 percent from the three-point arc.  They are averaging 68.2 points per game with 41 rebounds, 14.3 assists, and 15.5 turnovers.
 
Seattle Pacific is being led offensively and on the boards by three-time Red Lion / GNAC Player of the Week Katie Bensen.  Bensen is leading her team and the conference with an average of 21.3 points and 10.1 rebounds per game.  She is also ranked 15^th in the nation in scoring and 29^th in rebounds and has been SPU's leading scorer in nine of their 12 games.
 
Suzanna Ohlsen is also averaging in double-digits for the Falcons.  She has an average of 12.5 points and is leading the team in assists with 3.7 per game.
 
"Offensively, we will need to adjust accordingly to what they are doing," Coach Woodin stated.  "We have many players who are capable of scoring and each of them has to take advantage of the opportunities they are given."
 
The Yellowjackets are scoring an average of 73.9 points per game.  They are shooting 43.1 percent from the field and 32 percent from three-point territory.  They are averaging 36.3 rebounds per game, with 14 assists and 12.4 turnovers.
 
Bobbi Knudsen is leading MSU Billings with 16.2 points per game.  She is also first on the team in assists with 6.0 which ranks second in the GNAC and fifth amongst NCAA Div. II players.  Knudsen is also shooting 94.1 percent from the free-throw line which is No. 1 in the GNAC and fourth in the nation.
 
Kayleen Goggins is averaging 12.1 points for MSUB.  She is second on the team in field-goal percentage with 44.8 percent.
 
Janiel Olson is leading MSUB in rebounds with 9.6 per game.  Olson is ranked 8^th in offensive rebounds (tied with teammate Chelsea Banis) and second in defensive rebounds in the GNAC. 
 
"Defensively we will need to very aggressive while at the same time we will also have to limit our fouls," Coach Woodin said.  "Rebounding will be again be a key statistic."
 
MSU Billings is seventh in the conference in offensive rebounds for the GNAC, but first in defensive rebounds.
 
The Montana State University Billings Women's Basketball game against Seattle Pacific University on Saturday, Jan. 11, will begin at the early time of 3 PM Pacific Time.  The game will be the Game of the Week for the GNAC and be broadcast live on ROOT SPORTS.  In Billings, if your provider carries the network, you can find the broadcast on your ROOTS SPORTS channel.  For Charter customers that is channel 23.  For Direct TV customers that channel is 687.  For Dish Network customers the game will be on channel 426.  For customers who have other providers you can visit rootsports.com, click on Northwest, and then the Channel Listings link to find out which channel ROOT SPORTS is found on.
 
"Playing on Root Sports will be a great opportunity for our players and program," Coach Woodin said.  "It should be a fun environment and we are looking forward to the game."
 
Also, the Montana State University Billings Alumni Association will be hosting a Watch Party at Jake's Downtown –Saloon Side, 2701 1st Ave. N. Billings, MT 59102.  The event will begin at 4 PM local time.  There will be appetizers and prizes to be given away.  Everyone is welcome to attend. If you are interested in attending please RSVP@ 406-247-5781 or alumni@msubillings.edu.