BILLINGS, Mont. – After splitting against Concordia University and Western Oregon last week, the Montana State University Billings women's basketball team resumes its four-game road trip in the frigid north. The Yellowjackets visit University of Alaska Fairbanks Thursday, January 16 at 6 p.m. local time, followed by No. 6/7 University of Alaska Anchorage Saturday, January 18 at 7 p.m. in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play.
 
Both games will be streamed online with live statistics via links on the 2019-20 women's basketball schedule page.
 
"The Alaska trip always represents a big challenge," said MSUB head coach Kevin Woodin. "We are looking to rebound from Saturday's loss and our team is excited about going up north. We need to be more consistent on the offensive end. Getting the ball in the paint and converting will be critical on this trip. We are at our best when we have balance between the perimeter and inside. Our team has continued to grow, and I believe the best is yet to come for this group. There are a lot of games left to play, but this road trip is extremely important for our team."
 
Despite the notable absences of Hannah Collins and Emily St. John, the Yellowjackets (8-7, 3-3 GNAC) slipped past Concordia 66-58 Thursday night at LCEF Court. Taryn Shelley notched her sixth double-double with 23 points, 14 rebounds, and a pair of blocks while veteran Jeanann Lemelin scored 20 points and played 40 minutes for MSUB. Saturday, the team failed to duplicate its road success and fell 64-56 to Western Oregon at New P.E. Building in Monmouth. Lemelin scored 17 points, but MSUB shot just 30-percent (18-for-61) from the field as the Wolves pulled away late.
 
At 3-3 over the previous six games, MSUB's flight to Alaska represents a chance for an upset over perennial top-GNAC contender Alaska Anchorage and the ongoing pursuit of their first road weekend sweep of 2019-20.
 
LEMELIN HEATS UP: With key players out of the lineup, perhaps no has stepped up more than senior leader Jeanann Lemelin for the 'Jackets. Over her last three games, Lemelin averaged over 16 points per game, well above her season average of 9.4 ppg. Thursday night, she became the first player this season to play the entire 40 minutes against Concordia University. In the extended time on court, Lemelin marked a season high 20 points, along with five assists, and five rebounds. She is the only player on the team to start every game in 2019-20.
 
 
ZAHN STARTS: Danielle Zahn was already a frequent contributor off the bench for MSUB as a true freshman but made the jump to starter last time out against Western Oregon. Zahn played 30 minutes, 11 more than her previous season high and posted nine points and two assists in the loss. This season Zahn has averaged 3.4 points, 0.8 rebounds, and 0.9 assists per game. She also has seven made 3-pointers and eight steals on the year.
 
 
GNAC Standings (as of 1/15/2020)

Women's Basketball	Conf.	Pct.	Overall	Pct.	Home	Away	Neutral	Streak
Alaska Anchorage	7-0	1.000	17-1	.944	8-0	6-1	3-0	Won 12
Northwest Nazarene	5-1	.833	10-4	.714	5-1	3-2	2-1	Lost 1
Simon Fraser	5-1	.833	10-6	.625	6-3	2-1	2-2	Won 4
Western Washington	4-2	.667	10-4	.714	5-0	3-3	2-1	Won 3
Central Washington	3-3	.500	8-6	.571	5-2	1-3	2-1	Won 1
Montana State Billings	3-3	.500	8-7	.533	6-1	2-3	0-3	Lost 1
Western Oregon	2-4	.333	3-11	.214	4-4	1-3	0-1	Won 1
Concordia	2-4	.333	3-11	.214	1-5	1-2	1-4	Lost 1
Saint Martin's	1-5	.167	6-7	.462	6-1	0-5	0-1	Lost 3
Seattle Pacific	1-5	.167	3-11	.214	3-3	0-6	0-2	Lost 2
Alaska	1-6	.143	6-10	.375	3-5	0-4	3-1	Lost 6

Scouting University of Alaska
Thursday, January 16 – 7 p.m. AKT – Fairbanks, Alaska – Alaska Airlines Court
2019-20 Record: 6-9, 1-5 GNAC, 3-4 home, 0-4 away, 3-1 neutral
2018-19 Record: 4-22, 1-19 GNAC, 1-11 home, 1-10 away, 2-1 neutral
Head Coach: Kerri Nakamoto
 
Playing some of their best basketball of the season, the Nanooks were tied at halftime with Alaska Anchorage Tuesday night but fell 79-67 to fall to 1-6 in GNAC play. Sam Tolliver posted 16 points and shot 6-for-18 with three rebounds. Sabrina Ungaro had 11 points and four boards and Jocelyn Gandara finished with 10 points, nine rebounds for UAF in the loss.
 
The Nanooks are on a six game losing streak, having fallen in every conference game since opening night on December 5 against Western Oregon. Despite the skid, Alaska is already two wins ahead of last year's 4-22 overall record just past the halfway point of 2019-20.
 
Senior forward Marian Wamsley scores most often for UAF and is averaging 12.8 points and 6.0 rebounds per game. Junior guard Kylie Wallace has scored at a clip of 10.8 points per game and 5.1 rebounds. Wallace also has 44 assists and 35 steals.  
 
Alaska ranks fifth in the league in scoring (69.4 ppg), 11th in defense (72.6 ppg.), ninth in free throw percentage (.662), third in 3-point percentage (.292), and 10^th in defensive rebounding (39.9 rpg).
 
"I have been impressed with Alaska Fairbanks on video," said Woodin. "They have the ability to score quickly and often. They look to be much improved from last season. Defensively, we need to communicate effectively and keep them in front of us."
 
The Series: MSU Billings swept the season series a year ago after collecting an 80-72 win in Fairbanks and an 85-64 win at Alterowitz Gymnasium. MSUB is 55-14 all-time against Alaska and 7-3 over the last 10 matchups between the two schools.
 
Scouting No. 6 University of University of Alaska Anchorage
Saturday, January 18 – 7 p.m. AKT – Anchorage, Alaska – Alaska Airlines Center
2019-20 Record: 16-1, 6-0 GNAC, 8-0 home, 5-1 away, 3-0 neutral
2018-19 Record: 30-3, 19-1 GNAC, 14-0 home, 11-1 away, 5-2 neutral
Head Coach: Ryan McCarthy (8^th season)
 
The Seawolves held the Nanooks to just five third quarter points in Tuesday night's rivalry game between the two Alaska schools, stretching their current win streak to 12 games. Junior center Tennae Volica scored 16 points and senior guard Safiyyah Yasin added 15 to help UAA avoid an upset bid with a 79-67 women's basketball victory at the Patty Center.
 
Yasin leads the Seawolves with 14.7 points per game and 3.5 rebounds. The Oakland, California native was the fifth leading scorer on the team last season and ranked fifth in steals and 17^th in free throw percentage in the GNAC. Voliva grew up in Anchorage. She leads the team in steals (40) and blocks (18) to go with her 8.6 rebounds per contest. Voliva is well ahead of her 4.3 rebounds per game average last season, which was second best on the squad.
 
Checking in at No. 1 in the region and No. 6 in this week's Division II D2SIDA National poll, the Alaska Anchorage Seawolves continued to impress last week, with home wins over Central Washington 68-51, and Northwest Nazarene 73-58. UAA is also undefeated (8-0) at Alaska Airlines Center with notable wins over No. 23 Westminster and Hawaii Hilo.
 
UAA has eight players averaging better than five points per game. The Seawolves are second in scoring offense (76.4 ppg), first in defense (52.8 ppg), fifth in free throw percentage (.699), second in 3-point field goal percentage (.343), and first in defensive rebounding (31.4 rpg).
 
"Anchorage is elite again this year," Woodin said. "Handling their pressure is always a main focus for us and you have to create extra shots for yourself when you play them."
 
The Series: Last season, the Yellowjackets suffered a pair of losses to Alaska Anchorage. On the road, UAA defeated MSUB 87-47. Later in Billings, the No. 10 ranked Seawolves downed MSUB 72-57. The 'Jackets are 27-37 all-time against UAA and last won on the road in 2018.
 
Last season, Alaska Anchorage lost the GNAC Championship 70-64 to Northwest Nazarene, but won two games in the NCAA Division II West Region Championships before bowing out to Azusa Pacific University 64-63 in the third round. The previous year, MSUB knocked out Alaska Anchorage in the NCAA tournament to reach the sweet 16.