BILLINGS, Mont. - This week, MSUB will take a break from conference action to host in-state University of Montana Western on Saturday. The Yellowjackets are coming off two opening Great Northwest Athletic Conference wins against Central Washington and Northwest Nazarene. After dropping the first two games of the season, MSUB is 4-3 overall and are on a 3-game win streak.

"We were really pleased with our two wins against quality opponents in Central and NNU," MSUB head coach Kevin Woodin said. "I thought it was the most consistent we have played over a 2-game stretch all season so I think our tough preseason helped prepare us."

"I thought in our last two games we were really able to protect the basketball against two up-tempo teams," Woodin continued. "I think we had eight and 10 turnovers respectively in the two games. Also, both of our opponents had great length and athleticism off the glass and I thought our players really competed hard on the rebounds. I thought it was close both days, but I knew if we were going to win we had to be very competitive on the glass and I think we did that."

OFFENSE: After seven opening season games, junior Alisha Breen is leading the MSUB team averaging 19.9 points and 6.6 rebounds. Last week, Breen finished with 42 points and 11 rebounds. The forward from Choteau, Mont., has topped 20 points in three game this season, including a 37-point performance against Academy of Art during the opening season tournament at Alterowitz. In points production, Breen is first in the GNAC and 19^th in NCAA Division II.

Sophomore point guard Rylee Kane is next for the 'Jackets putting away 9.4 points per game and a team-leading 3.9 assists. Last week, Kane had 18 points and eight rebounds.

"I think we are getting a little bit more balanced attack," Woodin said. "Also, we need to score in a number of different ways. Whether through our defense, in transition, through half-court sets, or even off a turnover. We didn't have a lull during these last two games and I think that was real important."

The next three starting players for MSUB are contributing between 7.4-8.4 points per game. Senior Monica Grimsrud is putting in 8.4 points and collecting 4.9 rebounds. Junior Tiana Hanson is averaging 8.3 points and leads the team from the free-throw line, making 28-30 attempts for third-highest in the conference.

Senior Janiel Olson is kicking in 7.4 points and 6.4 rebounds per game.

DEFENSE: MSU Billings is third-best in the GNAC with an average 9.1 steals per game. Breen and Olson are tied for sixth in the conference at 2.1 per game. In the last two GNAC games, Olson accounted for 10 steals alone.

"I really feel like our players feel prepared," Woodin commented on the team's defense. "Coach Heringer does a real nice job of breaking down the teams and their plays. We are making adjustments and getting some really good bench play which helps. I also think our communication from player-to-player on the court has improved and I see less and less defensive errors."

TEAM-EFFORT: MSUB has picked up quality minutes from several players off the bench. Sophomore Vanessa Stavish is providing 7.1 points per game. Fellow sophomore Marissa Van Atta is averaging 2.4 rebounds per game.

The Yellowjackets are second in the conference in free-throw percentage at 121-162 for 74.7 percent. MSU Billings is shooting 37.9 percent from the field and 34.4 percent from outside. The 'Jackets are pulling in 31.3 rebounds per game.

Saturday, Dec. 12 - 7:00 p.m.
University of Montana Western - Bulldogs
Head Coach: Lindsay Woolley, 4^th season
2015-16 Record: 9-4

After opening their season with nine straight wins, the Bulldogs from the University of Montana Western have dropped their last four games, including the last three to fellow conference opponents University of Great Falls (79-70), Montana State University Northern (52-48), and on Wednesday to Carroll College (68-40).

Three players from UM Western are recording points in the double-figures. Junior Molly Klinker is leading the team with 13.6 points. The Fairfield, Mont., native and transfer from the University of Montana is also leading the team in rebounds with an average 7.2 per game.

Senior Sierra Higheagle is producing 11.0 points per game. Against Carroll, the 5-foot-10 forward had eight points in the loss to the Saints. Higheagle leads the team in assists with 2.08 per game. Junior guard Aniese Palmore had 10 points in the game against the Saints. On the season, Palmore averages 10.4 points and 1.85 assists.

The Bulldogs are averaging 69 points per game on 41.16 percent shooting from the field. From the 3-point arc, Montana Western is shooting 34.79 percent. The team is pulling in an average 43 rebounds and recording 14 assists per game.

The Series: MSU Billings holds an overall record of 32-6 against Montana Western. The Yellowjackets are 17-1 at home and have won the last six meetings against the Bulldogs. The last time the two teams met was in 2011 when the 'Jackets won the game at home 76-49.

UP NEXT: Next week MSU Billings returns for a second time to the South Point Holiday Hoops Tournament held in Las Vegas, Nev. MSUB has games scheduled against NCAA Division II opponents Quincy and Tarleton State.