FAIRBANKS, Alaska – The Montana State University Billings women's basketball team moved to 2-0 in the Mt. McKinley Bank North Star Invitational after defeating the Post University Eagles 66-45 Saturday night at Alaska Airlines Court.
 
Coming into the game, the Eagles (5-2) were riding hot on a four-game winning streak. But that fact wouldn't daunt the Yellowjackets (6-1), who were led by their strong defense to stifle the Eagles' offense. MSUB limited Post players to a field goal percentage of 34 and finished the game with 13 steals on their way to forcing 19 turnovers as they ran away with the game. Dyauni Boyce set a career high for points in a game with 26 along with 10 rebounds on her way to collecting her first career double-double.
 
"Tonight was a good win for us," said MSUB head coach Kevin Woodin. "I really liked the way we started the game, and that's something we talked about earlier today. We shared the ball really well tonight, we got the ball inside better, and we scored in different places. Dyauni had a great game on both ends of the floor. She battled hard defensively, and also scored at all three levels."
 
Shayla Montague and Cariann Kunkel each chipped in with 10 points for the 'Jackets. Aspen Giese facilitated well all night, creating seven assists, while collecting seven rebounds and a team high three steals to lead the 'Jackets defensive efforts. Fellow guards Kortney Nelson and Chloe Williams each had a pair of steals. The Yellowjackets had a trio of players make their collegiate debuts, with Madeline Heggem, Bailee Sayler and Kaitlin Grossman seeing their first minutes for the team. Both Grossman and Sayler scored their first career points in the game. "Our team's post passing was a key tonight, and we got the ball inside to our people," Woodin said. "Defensively we made a few slight adjustments at halftime, and in the second half our defense was very solid. Tonight was a fun game to be part of, and I was really proud of our team. It was a total team effort and everybody was very focused. We are looking forward to next week opening conference play in Alaska."
 
The 'Jackets set the tone early in the game, outscoring Post 16-7 in the first quarter. The Eagles started to bounce back in the second quarter, bringing the score to a 31-23 Yellowjacket advantage. And they would close that lead to as little as four at points in the third quarter. But first Boyce caught fire, then the rest of the Yellowjackets followed her lead. They outscored the Eagles 35-22 in the second half, turning the second half from a close game to a comfortable win in a matter of minutes.
 
Roxkel Washington and Tyara McQueen led Post in scoring with 10 points each. Tyree Allen followed with seven. McQueen also led the team in rebounds with eight and tied for the team high in assists with three, sharing that number with Lauren Murphy.
 
THE BUZZ: Boyce was selected as the St. Vincent Healthcare Player of the Game…Boyce only missed two shots all night, shooting 11-for-13 from the field and 2-for-3 from three, while sinking both her free throw attempts…the 'Jackets shot 48 percent as a team, scoring 40 points in the paint…this game was the first ever meeting between Post and MSUB.
 
UP NEXT: The Yellowjackets face off against their first conference opponents of the season, staying in Alaska to face off against the University of Alaska Fairbanks Nanooks, with tip off taking place at 7 p.m. local time on Monday, November 28.