HELENA, Mont. – Holding off the visiting Montana State University Billings women's basketball team on Tuesday night at the PE Center, Carroll College claimed a narrow 61-57 victory in an early-season matchup between the teams.
 
A big three by Dyauni Boyce with 3:10 to go helped MSUB complete a 7-0 run, and take a 52-50 lead. The Saints remained tough however, with Kyndall Keller answering another three by Boyce to help the hosts nudge themselves ahead 59-57 with a minute to go. The Yellowjackets had the ball with a chance to tie or take the lead, but a turnover proved costly as Sienna Swannack iced the game with a pair of free throws.
 
Kortney Nelson led all players with 17 points and just missed a double-double with nine rebounds, as she shot 7-for-14 in the game and added a team-high four assists. Dyauni Boyce also reached double figures with 14 points, and was right behind Nelson with eight boards. Cariann Kunkel chipped in 11 points, and Aspen Giese and Shayla Montague each hit a pair of threes for six points apiece. The Yellowjackets' record remained at 0-0 after the exhibition game.
 
Keller matched Nelson with 17 points on 6-for-7 shooting and 3-for-4 accuracy from the arc. Jamie Pickens delivered a 15-point evening, and Addi Eckstrom finished with 10 points for the hosts. Maddie Gerritz led Carroll with six rebounds, and Swannack finished with six assists and five boards. Carroll earned its first win of the season, improving to 1-1 after a game that counted on its ledger.
 
The Yellowjackets had a strong opening quarter, making 3 of 6 threes on their way to a 13-11 advantage after the opening 10 minutes of play. The Saints responded by posting an even 13-13 score in the second quarter, with MSUB holding a narrow 26-24 lead at halftime.
 
Back-to-back threes by Keller and Swannack keyed an 8-2 run at the outset of the second half, and the Yellowjackets suddenly found themselves chasing the game for the third quarter.
 
MSUB started making a push late in the third quarter, with a three-point play by Nelson bringing the deficit to four points at 42-38. Giese followed with a three on the wing, and the 'Jackets got a big stop on the ensuing possession to trail just 42-41 at the end of the third quarter.
 
Carroll finished the night shooting 51.1 percent (24-for-47), while making 5 of 17 threes (29.4 percent) and 8 of 12 free throws (66.7 percent). MSUB meanwhile shot 40.0 percent in the game (22-for-55), while making 7 of 24 threes (29.2 percent) and 6 of 8 foul shots (75.0 percent). The Yellowjackets held a 28-21 advantage in rebounding, while Carroll received 12 points off the bench and MSUB just three. The teams were even in the turnover department, with MSUB committing 14 and the Saints coughing up the ball 12 times.
 
THE BUZZ: Nelson was named the St. Vincent Healthcare Player of the Game.
 
NEXT UP: The Yellowjackets have their final exhibition game of the season next Monday against Montana Tech. The special noon tipoff at Alterowitz Gym is set up for the annual Elementary School game, with live coverage available online here.