RAPID CITY, S.D. – A deficit at the end of the first quarter didn't bother the South Dakota School of Mines women's basketball team Saturday night at the King Center, as the host went on to dominate the final three quarters of play in an 88-69 win over Montana State University Billings.
 
The Yellowjackets (2-1) started the game 7-for-11 from the field (63.6 percent), but made just 18 of 55 shots the rest of the way (32.7 percent). The Hardrockers meanwhile shot a steady 46.0 percent on the night (29-for-63), including 44.0 percent from 3-point range (11-for-25). SDSMT won its first game of the season, with a rebounding advantage of 40-30 also coming into play.

"We got off to a great start tonight," said MSUB head coach Kevin Woodin. "I liked our effort and execution early, and our defense was very good for most of the first quarter. The second and third quarters were frustrating. We didn't shoot well, and I thought our defensive intensity suffered too which just can't happen."
 
Molly McCabe led a quartet of double-figure scorers for the home team, as she recorded a 19-point, 10-rebound double-double in just 20 minutes of action. Anna Haugen had 14 points, six boards, and four assists, while Cooper Courtney added a dozen points and Anna Combalia 10.
 
Hannah Collins and Vanessa Stavish co-led MSUB with 15 points apiece, with the former also contributing five of her team's 20 assists on the night. Taylor Cunningham was in double figures with 13 points, and Jeanann Lemelin led her team with a career-high seven rebounds in her second-career start.
 
The 'Jackets started the game on an 8-1 run, and led 12-8 midway through the opening quarter of play. Fresh into the game coming out of a timeout, Emily St. John connected on her first shot of the day from the wing to up her team's advantage to 17-8.
 
Michaela Shaklee connected on a trey to start the second quarter, giving SDSMT its first lead at 20-19 since its 1-0 advantage to start the game. The teams traded buckets until Taylor Molstad hit a wide-open look from beyond the arc and Cooper Courtney made two foul shots, giving the hosts a 29-25 lead with just under five minutes before the break.
 
Cunningham put a stop to a game-changing 18-0 run by the 'Rockers, but SDSMT had solidified a double-figure advantage up 44-28 by halftime.
 
Momentum stayed with the Hardrockers moving into the third quarter, as they upped their lead to 22 points midway through the period.
 
Brina Hull hit a corner three to open the fourth quarter, but the damage had been done as the Yellowjackets failed to gain any traction over the final 10 minutes of play.
 
The Hardrockers held a decisive advantage from the foul line at 19-for-23 (82.6 percent), although MSUB shot well on free throws at 9-for-10 on the night (90.0 percent). Ball security wasn't an issue for either team, as both sides had just eight turnovers on the night.
 
"Two areas we need to focus on improving on are rebounding and offensive consistency," Woodin commented. "We battled back somewhat in the fourth quarter, but it was too little too late. Next week's games are important to establish momentum before starting GNAC play the following week."

THE BUZZ: St. John was tabbed the St. Vincent Healthcare Player of the Game, with five points and three assists in an efficient 12 minutes off the bench…MSUB is now 5-2 all-time against SDSMT and is 0-2 in games played in South Dakota…freshman Addison Gardner had her first career assist and played five minutes off the bench.
 
NEXT UP: MSUB returns to Billings next week for a pair of games at the Yellowjacket Classic. The 'Jackets will play Valley City State next Friday at 2 p.m., before taking on Carroll College in an exhibition game next Sunday at 2 p.m.