BURNABY, B.C. – The Montana State University Billings women's basketball were defeated on the road 61-67 by Simon Fraser University in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play.
 
The Yellowjackets (22-5, 13-3 GNAC) dropped just their first road game of the season, as the Red Leafs (10-11, 8-9 GNAC) ended picked up a crucial win for their GNAC Championship hopes, and ended MSUB's 11 game winning streak.
 
"Simon Fraser played great tonight." Said Yellowjacket's coach Kevin Woodin. "They deserved to win. They played hungry and aggressive, and hit some big shots."
 
Taryn Shelley scored 19 points to lead MSUB in scoring, collecting eight rebounds as well as a steal and a block. "Taryn played great tonight."" Woodin said. "She came off the bench and gave us some big minutes, she had a big impact on the game." Cariann Kunkel finished with 14, with a pair of assists, rebounds, and steals. Danielle Zahn had 12 in the game, going a perfect 2-2 from three. But they were the only 'Jackets to finished with more than four points on a night where MSUB struggled to score. The 'Jackets shot just 36.7% as a team, short of the Red Leaf's 44.6%
 
The Red Leafs began the game red hot, jumping out to a 20-3 lead in just the first five minutes of the game. And while the Yellowjackets battled back throughout the game, that slow start would prove impossible to overcome. The Red Leaf's shot a staggering 76.7 from the field in the opening quarter, including four threes. Their defense would also prove challenging to break, as MSUB failed to cross 40% shooting after the opening period.
 
"We got down big early in the first quarter," Said Woodin, "And that was hard to overcome. We were playing catch up all night. They dominated us on the boards, and shot exceptional from three, which is hard to overcome."
 
The 'Jackets would mount a comeback, pulling to within as close as three in the fourth quarter. MSUB was boosted by a defense that forced 16 turnovers, turning them into 21 points. But they just couldn't get baskets to go, and struggled to overcome Simon Fraser's advantages. The hosts outrebounded the 'Jackets 43-30, an unusual result for one of the GNAC's top rebounding teams.
 
"I'm proud of the way we responded." Woodin said. "We battled back, especially at the end of the first half, and made it a game. We are looking forward to heading back to Billings to regroup as we finish out our regular season."
 
THE BUZZ: Shelley was selected as the St. Vincent Healthcare Player of the Game… The 'Jackets split their season series against the Red Leafs.
 
UP NEXT: The 'Jackets finish their regular season with two games next week. The first of which takes place at home against University of Alaska Fairbanks. Tipoff is schedule for Thursday, February 23 at 7:30 PM. Live video will be available here, and live statistics available here.