BILLINGS, Mont. – The Montana State University Billings women's basketball team defeated crosstown rivals Rocky Mountain College 80-65, using a big night on the offensive end to take the first meeting this season between the two teams in the Rimrock Rivalry.
 
In front of a packed crowd at the Fortin Center, the Yellowjackets (4-1) showed up ready to go out the gates, picking up a lead in the first quarter and never looking back, taking down the Battlin' Bears (5-0) in exhibition play. The Yellowjackets were lights out from the field all game, shooting 50.9% from the field, and 55% from three, sprinting past the hosting Bears to take the win.
 
"This was a good win for us tonight," said MSUB head coach Kevin Woodin. "Rocky is a good team, I was really impressed with their post play early in the game, and they came ready to play. But I was proud of our players for hanging in there, and got better as the game went along. A road win at Rocky is always tough to get, and we're excited about the win."
 
Dyauni Boyce scored a game high 18 points for MSUB, going 7-15 from the field, adding two rebounds and an assist. Aspen Giese totaled a double-double, scoring 14 points with ten rebounds, and a pair of assists. Shayla Montague added 12 points on four three-pointers, while Kola Bad Bear had ten points, five assists, and three rebounds. Kaitlin Grossman scored nine points with six rebounds. Chloe Willimas and Danielle Zahn each scored six points, with Williams adding three rebounds, blocks, and assists each. Kortney Nelson chipped in five points with five rebounds, four assists, and two steals.
 
"We did a great job of getting into a rhythm offensively tonight," Woodin said. "We shot the ball well from the perimeter tonight, the three point ball was big for us. And I was happy that we spread the ball around and had really balanced scoring."
 
The game began tightly contested, with the teams' trading baskets and the lead over the first six minutes of the period. But after taking an 8-7 lead with 4:38 remaining in the first quarter, MSUB would find it's rhythm, finishing the quarter on a 12-6 run, taking a seven point lead after one. The 'Jackets would continue to shoot well in the second quarter, but Rocky would keep pace with a run of their own to close the quarter, keeping the deficit at seven as MSUB took a 37-30 lead into the half.
 
The third quarter would commence with the Yellowjackets going on a tear offensively, shooting 64.3% from the field as they outscored the Bears 23-14, opening their lead up to as much as 18. Rebounding proved to be the difference between the two teams in the quarter, with MSUB outrebounding Rocky 8-2, and not allowing a single offensive board in the quarter. The Yellowjackets would carry that momentum into the fourth quarter, taking an 80-53 lead with 2:35 left in the game. Rocky would show some life late to chip away at the lead, but it would be too big a lead to overcome, as the 'Jackets came away with the 80-65 victory.
 
"The third quarter and most of the fourth quarter was some of the best basketball we've played all season," Woodin said. "We picked up our defensive intensity, and I thought we did a great job on both ends."
 
THE BUZZ: Giese was selected as the Intermountain Health Player of the Game
 
UP NEXT: The Yellowjackets continue their nonconference slate Saturday, November 18, when they head east to take on Minot State at the MSUB Dome. Tipoff is scheduled for 2 PM CDT (1 PM MDT). Live video will be available here, and live statistics will be available here.