ELLENSBURG, Wash. – The Montana State University Billings women's basketball team ended their road trip by defeating Central Washington University 75-66 in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play.
 
The win for the Yellowjackets (18-4, 9-2 GNAC) gave them revenge over the Wildcats (15-5, 7-4 GNAC), who defeated MSUB at home earlier this season. The 'Jackets kept a hold of second place in the GNAC standings with the win, putting a two game cushion between them and Central, who is ranked third. The win also pushed the Yellowjackets winning streak to seven in a row, tying this season's high for consecutive wins.
 
"Tonight was an awesome win for us." Said MSUB head coach Kevin Woodin. "I'm so proud of how this team played, especially in the second half."
 
Down 42-33 at the half, the 'Jackets knew that they needed to change something in the next two quarters if they were going to knock of CWU. And they did just that, tightening up on defense to limit the Wildcats to just 25.7% shooting in the second half. Compounded with an effective offense that shot 53.8% on the night, it would be enough to swing the game in the 'Jackets favor, cementing at least one win against every team in the GNAC this season. "There was no panic coming out of halftime." Woodin said. "We talked about the need to slow the game down a little bit, and to execute better in the halfcourt, and to improve on defense. I think we did just that, playing good team defense."
 
Dyauni Boyce led the scoring effort for the Yellowjackets, dropping 21 points on 8-11 shooting, going a perfect 3-3 from three. "Dyauni was great tonight." Raved Woodin. "It's difficult to score a quiet 21 points, but she managed to do it with just the eleven shot attempts. Her shooting was really special tonight."
 
Taryn Shelley scored 15, adding five boards. Aspen Giese scored 14 with four rebounds. Kortney Nelson dropped seven, adding eight rebounds and three assists. Overall, the 'Jackets didn't shoot below 50% in a single quarter, while going 50% exactly from three. "We shot the three well tonight," Said Woodin, "And we needed every one of them."
 
Central Washington's Samantha Bowman scored 30 points in the defeat, going 13-19 with eight rebounds. "Bowman was awesome around the basket," Said Woodin. "But I thought we were able to good job of limiting their outside players, which was important." Outside of Bowman, the 'Jackets defense held the Wildcats to just 29.2% shooting, clamping down to finish strong.
 
"Overall," Commented Woodin, "good execution on both ends won this game for us. It was a great road trip. Winning both these games on the road is something this team should be immensely proud of."
 
THE BUZZ: Boyce was selected as the St. Vincent Healthcare Player of the Game… It was her second 20-point game this season, the first coming against Post University back in November, when she scored 26… Shelley has now scored double digit points in four consecutive games, and six of nine since returning from injury… Before this season, Giese had only scored more than ten points once… She has finished in double digits nine times so far this season.
 
UP NEXT: The 'Jackets return from their road trip to face off against Western Oregon University at Alterowitz Gym. The game is scheduled for Thursday, February 2, with tip off at 5:15 PM. Live video will be available here, and live statistics will be available here.