GNAC Weekly Release
GNAC Standings Report


BILLINGS, Mont. – The Montana State University Billing Women's Basketball Team has two road games this week as the team will try and stay at No. 1 in the conference and keep their nine-game conference winning streak alive.
 
On Thursday, Feb. 20, MSU Billings (20-5, 12-2 Great Northwest Athletic Conference) travels to Monmouth, Ore. to face Western Oregon University.  Then, on Saturday, Feb. 22, the team heads to Lacey, Wash. for their last season conference road game at Saint Martin's University.
 
Montana State University Billings has won their last 10 games – and is on a nine-game conference win-streak as they look to continue the momentum into this week's tough road games.
 
"Last week's wins were very different," Head Coach Kevin Woodin said.  "We shot the ball well vs. NNU and won a high scoring game but then struggled with our shooting against CWU.  However, our defense was solid in that contest and thus we came out on top.  I like the way we have been playing lately.  We are working hard on each possession and staying in the present."
 
Last week the Yellowjackets got two wins at home, defeating Northwest Nazarene University on Thursday, 90-72, and then Central Washington University on Saturday, 60-39.
 
Bobbi Knudsen led the way for MSUB with 36 points, 12 assists, and 11 rebounds in the two games.  Quinn Peoples had 33 points, including 10 three-point baskets, and set a new career-high seven three's in the game against NNU.  Chelsea Banis finished the two games with 29 points and 18 rebounds.  Banis was a perfect 5-5 from the field and 1-1 from the free-throw line on Thursday. 
 
Janiel Olson continues her domination on the glass, she had 21 rebounds, and 20 points over the two games. 
 
"We are excited to play at WOU and SMU this week," Coach Woodin said.  "I know both of these games will very tough but we are looking forward to the challenge.  Western Oregon has played a lot of good teams very tough and St. Martin's has played extremely well all season, especially at home."
 
MSU Billings is 18-5 all-time against Western Oregon University.  In their first game this season, the Yellowjackets got the win at home 79-57.  MSUB is 8-4 on the road against the Wolves, but lost last year in Monmouth, 65-73. 
 
This year, WOU is 6-16 overall and 3-11 in the GNAC.  The Wolves are on a three-game slide, their last win coming against Alaska Fairbanks at home 62-51.
 
Dana Goularte leads Western Oregon and is ranked No. 3 in the GNAC in point production with 17.8 per game.  She is also ranked third in rebounds with 8.6.  Chantel Divilbiss is averaging 11.3 points.
 
The Wolves are shooting 37.5 percent from the field with 60.8 points and 35.8 rebounds per game. 
 
Saint Martin's University is 14-9 overall and 8-6 in conference play.  The Saint's lost both of their games last week; on Thursday to Western Washington University 52-69, and on Saturday to Simon Fraser University 59-70.
 
Chelsey Haskey is pacing the Saint's with an average of 12.9 points per game and 7.0 rebounds.  Angela Gelhar has 10.9 points. SMU is shooting 35.6 percent from the field with 38.5 rebounds and averaging 60.5 points per game. 
 
The Yellowjackets are 21-8 all-time against Saint Martin's, 10-6 on the road and have won their last six meetings including a 75-56 win earlier this season at home.
 
In league play, Montana State University Billings (20-5, 12-2 GNAC) currently leads the conference in 12 out of 21 categories.  MSUB is ranked No. 1 in scoring defense (60.2), scoring margin (+13), field-goal percentage defense (36.8), rebounding offense (42.2), rebounding defense (31.0), rebounding margin (+11.2), assist/turnover ratio (1.1), offensive rebounds (15.5), defensive rebounds (26.7), defensive rebound percentage (74.1), offensive rebounds percentage (41.7), and three-point field goals made per game with 7.9.
 
Nationally the Yellowjackets are ranked No. 9 in rebound margin with 8.5 per game and 11th in assist to turnover ratio at 1.52.
 
"Overall, we have had good balance on offense and defense," Coach Woodin stated.  "Our players understand the importance of rebounding and I have been impressed with their commitment to the boards this season.  Limiting turnovers is very important to our success and we have defended consistently while keeping fouls to a minimum."
 
Bobbi Knudsen leads the GNAC and is No. 7 in the country in assists with 5.7 per game and 16^th nationally in assist to turnover ratio at 2.07.
 
Janiel Olson is ranked No. 1 in the GNAC and No. 22 in the country in rebounds with 10.4 per game.
 
Quinn Peoples is second in the GNAC in three-point field goals made (2.2) and field goal-percentage (37.4).
 
This week as the Yellowjackets attempt to keep their win streak alive, MSUB is averaging 73.3 points, 39 rebounds and 14.2 assists per game.  They are shooting 42.6 percent from the field and 38.9 percent from the three-point arc.
 
"It is important we continue to work hard and strive for improvement," Coach Woodin said.  "We want to be playing our best in early March."
 
Montana State University Billings will face Western Oregon University on Thursday, Feb. 20.  Tip-off is scheduled for 7 PM Pacific Time.  On Saturday, Feb. 22 the Yellowjackets will head to Lacey, Wash. for their game against Saint Martin's University.  Tip-off for that game is also scheduled for 7 PM Pacific Time.  Both contests will have live video and live stats available at MSUBSports.com.

2013-14 Standings
	Conf.		Overall
	W	L	W	L	H	A
Montana State Billings	12	2	20	5	13-0	5 -2
Simon Fraser	11	4	16	6	11 - 2	5 -3
Western Washington	11	4	15	8	8 -2	6 -4
Alaska Anchorage	9	5	16	6	10 -2	6 -4
Seattle Pacific	8	6	15	7	7 - 3	5 -4
Saint Martin's	8	6	14	9	9 -1	4 -5
Northwest Nazarene	6	9	13	10	9 - 4	4 -6
Alaska Fairbanks	3	11	9	13	5 -6	4 -7
Western Oregon	3	11	6	16	5 - 8	1 -6
Central Washington	1	14	6	17	3 -8	1 -7