BILLINGS, Mont. – The Montana State University Billings women's basketball team continued its successful start to conference play with a resounding 88-40 win over University of Alaska Fairbanks in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play.
 
The Yellowjackets (8-2, 2-0 GNAC) completed the opening week of conference play undefeated for the second season in a row, taking down the Nanooks (2-10, 0-2 GNAC) behind an impressive defensive performance, holding the visitors to just 33.3% shooting in the game, while forcing 28 turnovers.
 
"This was a good win for us," said MSUB head coach Kevin Woodin. We played a complete game on both ends of the court. Our defense ignited a lot for our offense today, and Alisha (Breen) and Janiel (Begger) did a great job of getting us prepared on that end. Our rebounding was excellent today, Fairbanks is one of the best rebounding teams in the conference, so we did a good job outdoing them on the boards."
 
Aspen Giese led all players in scoring with 21 points, going 7-10 from the field and 5-6 from three-point range. The junior also added on five rebounds, four steals, and a pair of assists in the game, her second 20-point outing of the season. Giese's long-range shooting was crucial for an MSUB offense which knocked down 12 threes in the game.
 
"There are a lot of us who can step up and shoot," said Giese. "It helps when we have good posts down low who force double teams to get me easy kickouts and open shots, it's fun."
 
Kola Bad Bear scored 14 points for the 'Jackets, along with seven rebounds, and a career high five steals in the game. Kaitlin Grossman had 12 points with seven boards, two steals, and a block. Both Dyauni Boyce and Danielle Zahn had 11 points for MSUB, with Boyce finishing with a trio of rebounds and assists, and Zahn finishing with four boards and three assists. Natalie Andreas added nine points, grabbing three rebounds, two assists and a block. Kortney Nelson had four points, to go with team highs in rebounds and assists with eight and four respectively. The Yellowjackets shot 43.8% from the field, and 44.4% from three.
 
"Our depth is one of the strengths of this team," said Woodin. "This is a selfless team that loves to share the ball, and we have a lot of players that can get it done from the inside and outside. We're just a balanced group, and that's one of my favorite parts about coaching this team."
 
The 'Jackets opened the first quarter by going on an 8-0 run, taking control of the game early. The Nanooks would keep the game competitive in the early going, holding MSUB to just 37.5% shooting in the opening quarter, but the Yellowjackets dominated the offensive glass with nine offensive rebounds and 11 second chance points to take an eight-point lead into the break. They would find their shooting touch in the second quarter, along with clamping down on defense, allowing the Nanooks to score just eight points in the second compared to 22 from the Yellowjackets, who led 44-22 at halftime.
 
MSUB would double down on its defensive efforts in the third quarter, holding Fairbanks to just four points in the entire third quarter, with a last second layup being the only made field goal the 'Jackets would allow in the quarter, while MSUB forced as many turnovers in the quarter as it allowed shot attempts. Meanwhile, the Yellowjackets capitalized to score 20 points on the other end, putting the game out of reach. It would lead to a comfortable finish in the fourth quarter for the Yellowjackets, who would coast to a complete win, closing out their opening weekend of conference play 2-0.
 
"We put a lot of good defensive possessions together in the third quarter," Woodin said. "Our goal is always to score first in every quarter, and to get momentum going early, and I thought our bench did a great job in the third to help spark us."
 
THE BUZZ: Giese was selected as the Intermountain Health Player of the Game… The 40 points allowed by MSUB was their lowest total in a conference game since 2022, when they held Saint Martin's to just 31 points in a game.
 
UP NEXT: The Yellowjackets play next on Friday, December 8, when they take on Montana Western at Alterowitz Gym. Tipoff is scheduled for 6 PM, with tickets available online here. Live video available here, and live statistics available here.