BILLINGS, Mont. – Montana State University Billings posted a comprehensive 81-44 victory over Dickinson State University in non-conference women's basketball Sunday afternoon at Alterowitz Gymnasium. Taryn Shelley notched her fourth double-double of the season, and MSUB's bench supplemented the starting five admirably throughout the game, with 14 players earning significant time.
 
"Today's win was a total team victory," said MSUB head coach Kevin Woodin. "We played more consistent today and it was nice to win every quarter. All of our players made positive contributions today on both ends of the floor."
 
TyLee Manuel scored nine points and had seven rebounds in perhaps her best game to date and Addison Gardner chipped in 10 points and three boards for MSUB.
 
The win helped the Yellowjackets (6-5, 1-1 GNAC) extend their home winning streak to six, dating back to February of last season. Meanwhile, Dickinson State (3-8, 1-1 North Star) lost for the fifth time in six outings. The Blue Hawks are off until January 3.
 
MSUB tipped off the first quarter with a quick 9-3 advantage after shooting 4-for-8. On the other end, Dickinson State struggled, especially from 3-point range where they connected on two of 12 attempts to start the game. Shayla Montague posted five points in two possessions to help MSUB to a 19-10 lead at the break.
 
The second quarter was much of the same and Gardner helped off the bench on offense. Collins earned the chance at a 4-point play to cap off a 43-25 home advantage at halftime.
 
"We got off to a much better start tonight than last Saturday," Woodin said. "Defensively, our communication and intensity continues to improve and it was nice to register a +20 on the boards today. Our players did a better job of guarding the interior and we held Dickinson to 17-percent from the 3-point line which is an area they usually excel at."
 
Just over half way into the third quarter, Taryn Shelley broke into double-double territory and MSUB stretched the score to 60-29. DSU's Dakota Dosch fouled out with five minutes to play in the fourth and the 'Jackets dribbled out an 81-44 win in front of an appreciative home crowd.
 
The 'Jackets grabbed 56 rebounds compared to 36 for the Blue Hawks. Shelley led all players in the category with 12. MSUB balanced its offensive attack and shot 9-for-28 (32-percent) from beyond the arc, 31-for-72 (43-percent) overall. Dickinson state ended 5-for-29 from long range (17-percent), 17-for-65 (26-percent) overall.
 
"Offensively, we had good spacing and I thought we got the ball into the paint by both the pass and dribble," said Woodin. "We had balanced scoring with seven players getting seven or more points and nine players registering at least one assist. We also did a better job on the offensive glass, which led to extra possessions and scores."
 
Danielle Zahn (19 minutes) and Emily St. John (16 minutes) saw the most time among non-starters, though Gardner, Manuel, Kate Sams, Emma Blakely, and Janessa Williams all reached double-figure time totals.
 
Collins (MSUB's leading scorer) shot 4-for-12 with 13 points and three assists. Taylor Cunningham was visible in the first half and ended with eight points and four boards. The Yellowjackets cashed in on 22 second chance points and 30 bench points.
 
This week, MSU Billings won at home against Rocky Mountain College and Dickinson State University. The team heads to University of Montana on December 20 to face the Grizzlies in an exhibition before returning to play in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference on January 2 in the Magic City.
 
THE BUZZ: TyLee Manuel was named St. Vincent Healthcare player of the game after matching her season highs in rebounding (eight) and points (nine)…Sunday was the second time this season MSUB has held a team under 50 points. The other was Corban University in a 75-49 win.