GOLDEN, Colo. – The #10 Montana State University Billings women's basketball team were unable to find victory against Colorado School of Mines Saturday, coming up just short in a 75-71 defeat in their final game before conference play begins next week.
 
The Yellowjackets (6-2) threatened to take back the lead multiple times in the game, coming back to as close as one-point multiple times in the second half, but would be unable to find a lead late as the Orediggers (5-1) claimed victory on their home court.
 
"It's a tough loss tonight," said MSUB head coach Kevin Woodin. "Colorado Mines is a good team, and they played hard. They had us on our heels a lot and pressured us hard offensively. This weekend was the tale of two games, where we hit a lot of three pointers last night, and didn't get going from the outside tonight. But I thought we settled in in the second half, and had a couple looks to tie the game, but just couldn't get over the hump."
 
Kola Bad Bear led the 'Jackets with a career high 25 points, including shooting 10-11 from the free throw line. Bad Bear also added ten rebounds to collect her second double-double of the season, and added two assists, a steal, and a block. Kortney Nelson scored a season high 16 points with five rebounds and assists each, while Dyauni Boyce scored 13 points with nine boards. Aspen Giese had seven points, adding three steals, while Chloe Williams and Danielle Zahn each scoring four points.
 
The Yellowjackets started promisingly in the first quarter, with eight first quarter points from Bad Bear helping MSUB hold a 15-12 lead following the first ten minutes. But the Orediggers would reverse things in the second quarter, outscoring the 'Jackets 20-12 in the quarter, shooting 63.6% from the field to take a 32-27 lead into halftime.
 
The Yellowjackets rightened the ship coming out of halftime, closing the lead to as close as one basket multiple times in the third quarter. However, after getting to within one late in the quarter, the Orediggers finished the quarter on a 9-3 run in the final minutes to restore the lead to seven going into the final quarter of play. The 'Jackets continued to threaten, having multiple opportunities to take the lead as the game wound to a close. But MSUB were unable to hit a shot to take the lead, and Colorado Mines were able to knock down their free throws to close out the game and take the victory.
 
"I thought we did a good job of getting to the basket in the second half," said Woodin. "And we did a good job hitting the boards to create second chance points. We're disappointed to have lost, but Colorado Mines played a heck of a game tonight, and I feel good about this group heading into GNAC play."
 
Ashley Steffeck scored 25 points for Colorado School of Mines, adding six assists, four rebounds, and three steals. Quincey Baum added 13 points and seven boards, while eight other players scored in the game for the Orediggers.
 
THE BUZZ: Bad Bear was selected as the Intermountain Health Player of the Game.
 
UP NEXT: The Yellowjackets begin Great Northwest Athletic Conference play next Thursday, November 30, with a matchup at home against Alaska Anchorage. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:15 pm at Alterowitz Gym. Tickets can be purchased online here, while live video is available here, and live statistics available here.