BILLINGS, Mont. – Seattle Pacific University scored 22 points in the fourth quarter and converted critical free throws late to down Montana State University Billings 69-63 in Great Northwest Athletic Conference women's basketball Thursday night at Alterowitz Gymnasium. Jeanann Lemelin posted 18 points and Taryn Shelley notched her seventh double-double but the 'Jackets lost for just the second time at home this season.  
 
Hailee Bennett led the Falcons with 18 points and shot 4-for-8 from long range (6-for-12 overall). SPU also out-rebounded MSUB 37-30 and scored 23 points off the bench in contribution to the road victory.
 
"I thought SPU executed very well down the stretch tonight," said MSUB head coach Kevin Woodin. "Give them credit, their players stepped up and made big shots in the final quarter. SPU's ability to make 3-pointers was another key factor tonight."
 
The Yellowjackets (9-9, 4-5 GNAC) fell into a tie for sixth place in the conference standings and plays Saint Martin's University (9-7, 4-5 GNAC) Saturday night at Alterowitz Gymnasium. The Falcons (6-12, 4-6 GNAC) have now won three of their last four.
 
MSUB began the game slowly but rallied for an 18-18 tie at the conclusion of the first quarter. In the second quarter, Lemelin looped in a 3-point shot as time expired to give the 'Jackets a narrow 31-30 advantage at halftime. The teams traded baskets in the third quarter and it remained a one-possession game for a majority of the final 10 minutes. Bennett helped Seattle Pacific finally draw separation 64-60 after hitting a 3-pointer with one minute, 28 seconds left in the contest.
 
The 'Jackets then struggled on back-to-back offensive chances and sent SPU to the line in the final minute trailing by four. Bennett and Madi Hingston knocked down five of six free throws to keep MSUB at bay.
 
Seattle Pacific shot 10-for-20 (50-percent) from beyond the 3-point line. Bennett and Bayley Brennan each made four long-range jumpers for the Falcons.
 
The Yellowjackets committed six turnovers, compared to 16 for Seattle Pacific. Shelley grabbed 10 rebounds and shot 6-for-21 from the field with one 3-pointer. Taylor Cunningham pitched in 12 points and three rebounds and shot 5-for-12 with a pair of 3-point shots. Lemelin added three steals to her 30 steal total this season.  
 
"Offensively, we were very inconsistent and had too many droughts within the game," Woodin said. "I was happy we limited our turnovers to a season low of six but to only get 8 offensive boards on 40 misses is really the main reason we lost. We also struggled from the foul line too."
 
The Yellowjackets are 6-2 at home with losses to Western Washington and Seattle Pacific. They can split the weekend series with a win over Saint Martin's Saturday at 7:30 p.m. MSUB plays Seattle Pacific again at Brougham Pavilion on February 22.
 
"We need to regroup and play better on Saturday," Woodin said. "Saint Martin's has been playing well lately and represents a tremendous challenge for us."
 
THE BUZZ: Jeanann Lemelin was named St. Vincent Healthcare player of the game. Lemelin moved into sixth place in the GNAC in steals with three against Seattle Pacific. Lemelin also notched 18 points and four assists in 38 minutes for MSUB.