HONOLULU – Kayleen Goggins poured in a game-high 22 points as the Yellowjackets ran away with a second-half performance in McKinley High School for a 61-41 win over Hawai'i Hilo.
 
Three Yellowjackets finished the game with double-figures.
 
Quinn Peoples had 15 points, including three 3-point baskets and sophomore Alisha Breen was a perfect 12-12 from the free-throw line.
 
At half-time, MSU Billings (4-2) was up by one, 22-21. The Yellowjackets were 9-28 for 32.1 percent from the field, while Hawai'i Hilo was 9-32 for 28.1 percent.
 
"I liked the way we played in the first half," head coach Kevin Woodin said. "Even though we only had a one-point lead at halftime, I thought our intensity was good and our teamwork was much improved over the previous game. I felt we missed a few shots we normally make, but overall I was pleased with the first half."
 
Half-way through the second half, the University of Hawai'i at Hilo (0-3) picked up the pace embarking on a 10-3 run to draw even with MSUB 35-35.
 
The Yellowjackets responded with a 24-4 run in the last nine minutes of the game to open up a lead, 59-39. A layup from UHH's Whitney Eden dropped the lead back down to 18, but two free throws from MSUB's Lexi Prevost put the Yellowjackets back up by 20 icing the game with 18 seconds left.
 
"It was an important win for us tonight," Coach Woodin said. "In the second half, we did a good job on our offensive execution. We got a good balance from the inside and outside. I thought our three seniors stepped up and led us to victory."
 
MSUB ended the game shooting 17-50 for 34.0 percent from the field. The Yellowjackets outscored UHH 39-20 in the second half. MSU Billings was tougher on the glass 49-40, in the paint 20-18, and had more points off of turnovers 19-6.
 
Alexa Jacobs had nine points for the Vulcans while Hayley Reynolds chipped in eight. Danielle Kooyman and McKenzie Mangino both had six rebounds for UHH.
 
MSU Billings had eight rebounds from Goggins and eight from Annie DePuydt. Rylee Kane paced the Yellowjackets with four total assists.
 
"We shot extremely well from the free-throw line," Coach Woodin said on the team shooting 22-26 from the charity stripe. "With 10 minutes left, we were able to put together a good run. We didn't turn over the ball as much, which is an area we are still working on. Overall, I thought it was a very good team win for us today."
 
NEXT UP: MSU Billings plays another game tomorrow. The Yellowjackets take on Chaminade University at 5 p.m. UTC.
 
"We are looking forward to playing tomorrow against Chaminade," Coach Woodin said. "Hopefully we can gain even more momentum with a good performance tomorrow."