SEATTLE, Wash. – The Montana State University Billings women's basketball team found their way past Seattle Pacific, coming from behind to win 64-61 in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play.
 
The Yellowjackets (21-4, 12-2 GNAC) trailed by as much as 16 in the second quarter, but steadily cut into the Falcons (12-10, 7-7 GNAC) lead as the second half went on. MSUB was able to win the third quarter, before allowing just four points in the fourth, on their way to stealing a narrow victory on the road. The win moved the Yellowjackets win streak to ten, and kept the 'Jackets undefeated on the road this season.
 
"This was a great come from behind win for us." Said Yellowjackets head coach Kevin Woodin. "We did a great job of regrouping though, fixed our fundamentals in the second half, and really got into a rhythm. I'm really proud of all of our players for finding a way to win."
 
Dyauni Boyce led the 'Jackets in scoring with 15, chipping in three rebounds and four assists. Shayla Montague had 13 points, also with three boards. "Shayla played a great all around game." Said Woodin. "She hit some big threes for us, and really helped keep us in things."
 
Aspen Giese finished with ten rebounds, six of them offensive, and seven points. Also scoring seven was Natalie Andreas and Taryn Shelley. Kortney Nelson has six points, four rebounds, and four assists, tying Boyce for the team high. Five different MSUB players had over three assists in the game, as the 'Jackets spread around the scoring load.
 
The game was all SPU at the beginning when the Falcons opened the game on fire. Seattle Pacific shot 50% in the first quarter, and raised that to 69.2% in the second quarter. The Falcons were aggressive on both ends of the floor, taking advantage of turnovers and a sluggish MSUB offense to lead by as much as 16 in the second quarter. A mini run at the end of the half tightened the gap a bit for the Yellowjackets, but they still trailed 41-30 going into halftime.
 
The 'Jackets were able to take that little bit of momentum they generated at the end of the first half, and run with it in the second. They matched their first quarter shooting percentage of 46.7%, but cut down on the mistakes, while slowing down the SPU offense. That defense would only get tougher in the fourth quarter, where they held the Falcons to just four points on 1-9 shooting from the field. The 'Jackets tied the lead on a three pointer from Boyce, took it on a jumper from Shelley, and then never looked back as they led for the final five minutes of play.
 
"Our defense in the fourth quarter was outstanding." Said Woodin. "To hold them to just four points, especially after how they started offensively, was impressive. Once we took the lead, I thought our execution was great, and we closed out the last two minutes really strong."
 
Ashley Alter led all scorers with 23 points, going 9-14 from the field and 3-6 from three. She also had eight rebounds, and two assists, steals, and blocks each. Hunter Beirne had 11 points and five boards, while leading the Falcons with four assists.
 
"Road wins are hard to come by," Woodin said, "SPU is a hard place to play, and a tough team to beat, so any time you can win one against them is impressive. I am very proud of this team."
 
THE BUZZ: Montague was selected as the St. Vincent Healthcare Player of Game… The 'Jackets are now 27-33 all time against SPU, and have won the last five meetings between the two teams.
 
UP NEXT: The 'Jackets win sets up a crucial meeting between first and second place in the GNAC, when they travel to face #8 Western Washington on the road next Thursday, February 16. The 'Jackets upset WWU at home earlier in the season, the only loss the Vikings have taken in the GNAC this year. Tip off is scheduled for 7 PM (8 MST), with live video available here and live statistics available here.