ELLENSBURG, Wash. – The Montana State University Billings women's basketball team started off 2024 in victorious fashion, defeating Central Washington University 82-73 in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play.
 
In a battle between two of the top teams in the conference, with the Yellowjackets (12-3, 3-0 GNAC) and Wildcats (11-4, 2-1 GNAC) holding the first two spots in the GNAC standings coming into things, it would be the 'Jackets would remain undefeated in conference play, using their 51.8% mark from the field to outpace the Wildcat's electric offense and take the win, and move into sole possession of the GNAC's top spot.
 
"This was a big win for us," said MSUB head coach Kevin Woodin. "After 17 days off I expected a little bit of rust, but we played through it. Our goal was to start the game more consistently, and I think we did that, tying the first quarter and winning the other three. Central Washington is a very good team, and we worked hard to beat them on their floor."
 
Kola Bad Bear scored 23 points to lead MSUB in scoring, adding six rebounds and assists to go with a pair of steals. Dyauni Boyce was right behind her with 22 points, four rebounds, three assists and three steals. Boyce's shooting was near perfect in the game, going 9-10 from the field and knocking down a pair of free throws. Kortney Nelson had 11 points, and collected seven assists with a pair of rebounds and steals.
 
"I thought we did a great job establishing Kola and Dyauni inside," said Woodin. "We did a great job of scoring close to the basket and making their defense shift, which opened things up for us outside as the game went on."
 
Shayla Montague scored 14 points in the game, knocking down a trio of three pointers. Her three triples moved her up to 199 in her Yellowjacket career, passing Amy Winslow for third in program history, and putting her just one short of 200 career made three-pointers in her collegiate career.
 
"Shayla is a great all-around player," raved Woodin. "She's not just a three-point shooter, but her ability from beyond the arc is incredible. To move into third for school history is quite impressive, even more so since she earned that total since they moved the line back."
 
The two teams played an even first quarter, swapping the lead five times in the first ten minutes. After falling behind 5-0 to start the game, eight points in just a minute, five of which came from Bad Bear, would help the 'Jackets find momentum early. The teams would go back-and-forth the rest of the quarter, finding themselves tied at 17 after the first ten minutes. The Wildcats would have the momentum early in the second quarter, leading by as much as seven as they looked to build a lead on the visitors. But MSUB would respond in emphatic fashion before the quarter's end, finishing the final four minutes of the first half on a 12-4 run, taking back the lead and taking a two-point advantage into the half.
 
The 'Jackets brought their shooting touch into the third quarter with them, beginning the half with two big three-pointers from Montague to help get MSUB started. They would need every point they could get, as the high-octane Wildcat offense would continue to keep the home team in the game. The Yellowjackets would keep pace though, never letting Central Washington take back the lead. It would be the same in the fourth quarter, with the Wildcats coming within as close as three points late in the game. The Yellowjackets would hold firm though, never conceding the lead as a 9-2 run over the final four minutes of play would help the 'Jackets pick up a crucial road win against a tough opponent.
 
Valarie Huerta scored 29 points for Central Washington, while Asher Cai scored 22. The Yellowjackets defense helped limit the supporting cast around the conference's top two scorers, holding the rest of Wildcats to 22 points in the game.
 
THE BUZZ: Boyce was selected as the Intermountain Health Player of the Game… The 'Jackets move to the top spot in the GNAC, having played more games than fellow undefeated Western Washington… Montague next target on the all-time made three-pointers list is Quinn Peoples at 236 made triples.
 
UP NEXT: The Yellowjackets look to keep momentum going as conference play restarts in their next matchup on Saturday, January 6 when they take on Northwest Nazarene in Nampa, Idaho. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:15 PM, with live video available here, and live statistics available here.