BILLINGS, Mont.  – MSU Billings had four players in double-digits, and shot almost 50 percent during the game to win against the University of Jamestown (N.D.), 88-65 Saturday night in Alterowitz Gymnasium.
 
Alisha Breen matched her career-high of 23 points and added nine rebounds and two blocks in the win over NAIA Jamestown (9-3). Kayleen Goggins produced 18 points and another nine rebounds while Quinn Peoples contributed 16 points, six rebounds, and a game-high six assists.
 
"I really liked our focus tonight," MSUB head coach Kevin Woodin said. "Our players had a tough week of final exams and had some very hard practices too, however, they responded with a great effort against a quality opponent and got an excellent team win this evening."
 
Montana State University Billings (7-3) began the game hot, scoring the first eight points to take an 8-0 lead over the Jimmies. Breen hit a lay-up, followed by back-to-back 3-pointers from Annie DePuydt and Breen. UJ got on the board when Jessica Buck made a lay-up for the first two points for the Jimmies.
 
The Yellowjackets remained in control all the way through the first half. Peoples made her first 3-point bucket of the game with 8:56 left to open up a 20-point 'Jacket lead, 29-9. During the final 10 minutes of the half, both teams traded points. Into the final seconds of the first, freshman Vanessa Stavish hit a 3-point basket to keep MSUB up by 20, 43-23 into the break.
 
MSU Billings was 16-34 for 47.1 percent shooting from the field during the first half. The Yellowjackets held a 24-15 rebound margin. The Jimmies were 7-30 and 23.3 percent in the first half. What really hindered Jamestown the first half was 3-point shots. Jamestown shot 1-13 while MSUB hit 6-11.
 
"We got off to a great start which was nice," Woodin said. "I thought we were sharing the ball well on offense and our defense created some scoring opportunities too early. We also established Kayleen inside which really opened up some things on the perimeter and back side."
 
During the second half, MSU Billings continued to apply pressure, although Jamestown used a full court press to try and score some points off of turnovers. The Jimmies got as close as 18 when Taylor Hammer made a lay-up to draw the point spread to 47-29.
 
The Yellowjackets played a balanced offensive and defensive style, not letting the Jimmies back into the game. MSUB led by as many as 30 in the second half, and continued to play tough all through the waning minutes.
 
"I am most pleased with the progress we showed in the past week on the court," Coach Woodin commented. "Our performance tonight was connected to improved practices during the week. My assistant coaches are doing a great job of preparing our team through their scouting and practice coaching. It was a total team victory tonight."
 
Breen tied her career record with 23 points, including shooting 2-2 from 3-point range, and 5-5 from the free-throw line. DePuydt and Stavish were both 2-2 from 3-point territory as the Yellowjackets hit eight during the game.
 
MSU Billings was 29-62 for the game for 46.8 percent. The team was also 8-16 from 3-point territory for 50.0 percent.
 
Jamestown was 21-60 for the game and 35.0 percent. The team was also 17-25 from the free-throw line.
 
Kyra Dewald had 16 points for Jamestown. Buck added in 12 while Megan Pold led the team in rebounds with seven.
 
MUSB outrebounded the Jimmies 37-29 and had 18 assists to UJ's nine. Both teams were close in turnovers and steals. The Yellowjackets committed 14 turnovers and had seven steals. Jamestown had 13 turnovers with seven steals. MSU Billings was able to convert more points off of the turnovers, 15-9. The 'Jackets were also better in the paint, 32-26 and had more second chance points, 15-10.
 
The Yellowjackets set a new MSUB women's basketball game record tonight, shooting 22-22 for a perfect 100 percent from the free-throw line. MSUB set the old record last year against Western Washington when the team shot 95.5 percent from the charity stripe.
 
"I am very proud of our team for making 22 for 22 from the free throw line," Coach Woodin said. "It takes a great deal of confidence and concentration to do that and it is a tribute to them. We also protected the ball better tonight and had good offensive balance."
 
Goggins led the charge in free-throws completing 6-6 from the line. Peoples was 2-2, Breen 5-5, Courtney Henry 4-4, Stavish 2-2 and Marissa Van Atta was 3-3 in free throws.
 
NEXT UP: MSU Billings heads to Bozeman, Mont., on Monday to play an exhibition game against DI Montana State University. That game is scheduled for a 7 p.m. tip-off.
 
"We are looking forward to playing the Bobcats on Monday night," Coach Woodin said. "They are a very deep and talented team. It will be a fun environment for our players to play in. In addition, it will be great to play at home next week for our Yellowjacket Classic against South Dakota Mines and Montana Tech. I am very thankful to our two major tournament sponsors (ExxonMobil and Billings Hotel and Convention Center) as without them, our tourney would simply not be possible."