FAIRBANKS, Alaska – The Montana State University Billings women's basketball team was victorious over the Salem University Tigers 69-56 in the first game of their Alaska road trip on Friday night at Alaska Airlines Court.
The Yellowjackets (5-1) started the Mt. McKinley Bank North Star Invitational in style, taking control of the game in the fourth quarter and holding on for the secure victory. The 'Jackets were propelled by a three headed offensive attack, with
Shayla Montague leading the way with 16 points.
Natalie Andreas scored 15 points, while
Cariann Kunkel scored 14.
Dyauni Boyce picked up nine rebounds, a career high, while
Kortney Nelson collected six assists.
Chloe Williams put on a defensive masterclass, tying a career high with four steals and hassling the Tigers' ball handlers all night.
"Tonight was a good win for us," said MSUB head coach
Kevin Woodin. "We started slow, and in the first half we didn't shoot very well. Throughout the night we struggled from the 3-point line. We had a lot of good looks, so I expect us to improve upon that tomorrow.
The Tigers (2-4) and Yellowjackets played close in the first half, a back-and-forth game where neither team was able to gain a huge lead. Coming into the break, the 'Jackets found themselves down one, after a buzzer beating jumper by Montague found its way home. The 'Jackets needed every bucket in the half to keep up with Nerea Arambarri Fernandez, who led all scorers in the game with 21 points. "We settled in during the third quarter, and played really consistently in the second half," Woodin said. "I thought that was key for us, and our defense was very good in the second half. It was an excellent team win."
The second half started as even as the opening pair of quarters. But towards the halfway mark, the 'Jackets started to pull away. After a jumper by Andreas helped take the lead, the 'Jackets went on a nine-point run to grow their advantage to eight. It would be the last time the 'Jackets trailed, as they used that run to never look back in the game. "Our bench played well, especially in the first half," said Woodin. "We had some foul trouble tonight so we had to go deeper to our bench, and that continues to pay off for us. Give Salem credit. They fought hard, and we had a hard time once we took the lead to get separation from them. But down the second half we played our best basketball."
The 'Jackets used hot shooting and good defense in the fourth quarter to close out the game, outscoring the Tigers 22-13 in the final period.
After Arambarri Fernandez, Anete Bluma was Salem's next highest scorer with 11. Bluma also led the team in rebounds with six. Elena Pericic tied with Arambarri Fernandez with three assists, while also posting two blocks. Five different Tigers had multiple turnovers in the game, which the 'Jackets turned into 21 points. "Shayla played a very solid game on both ends for us," Woodin said. "She shot the ball well, and also was a good floor leader for us. Natalie had a solid game off of the bench, and we needed her. She gave us some scoring, and made some good decisions to spark us."
THE BUZZ: Andreas was selected as the St. Vincent Healthcare Player of the Game…with a 5-1 start, the 'Jackets are keeping pace with their start from last year, where they also started 5-1 in their first six games.
UP NEXT: The Yellowjackets have an opportunity to surpass their start from last year with their next game Saturday, November 26 at 7 p.m. against Post University, at Alaska Airlines Court in Fairbanks.
