CHOTEAU, Mont. – The Montana State University Billings Yellowjacket women's basketball team traveled 272 miles to Choteau, Montana to host their community outreach game, and defeated the Montana State University Northern Skylights by a final score of 66-50.
 
Yellowjacket associate head coach and former Yellowjacket women's basketball All-American Alisha Breen was a multi-sport standout at Choteau High School. The former Bulldog was able to bring her team back to her old stomping grounds and grab a victory in the packed gym, something Breen used to do quite often in her playing days. In addition to Breen, current MSUB volleyball player and women's basketball student assistant Christine Funk is also a Choteau Bulldog grad, excelling in volleyball, basketball, and tennis for the class B school. Breen played a role in helping MSUB volleyball coach Casey Williams recruit Funk to her team, so it is only fitting Breen and Funk could return to Choteau together, along with head coach Kevin Woodin, and make this vision a reality.
 
"It was an awesome atmosphere, and it was really fun for me to be home and bring the team up here," said Yellowjacket associate head coach Alisha Breen. "It was awesome to not only show them where I played but to have them play in front of my coaches, teachers, friends, family and a bunch of younger kids who look up to them."

After arriving in the 1,769 person town on Saturday, the 'Jackets hosted a kids camp for the community and were able to get a taste of the lifestyle that Breen and Funk have enjoyed for much of their lives. The 2pm Sunday tip-off in the small town did not disappoint; the 1,100+ seat arena was already packed for warmups and the pre-game introductions saw a light show, a choir sing the national anthem and local cheerleaders supporting the teams.
 
After all the excitement, the 'Jackets got off to a bit of a slow start, missing their first few field goals and finding themselves behind 7-2, but they were able to finish the first quarter strong, grab a lead, and eventually finish the first period tied at 20. Senior guard Aspen Giese hit two three-pointers in the quarter, including one to give the 'Jackets their first lead of the game at 15-12. After a strong second quarter and holding the Skylights to only eight points, the 'Jackets grabbed a 34-28 halftime lead and would look to keep the momentum rolling heading into the second half.
 
After the teams traded buckets to start the third quarter, the 'Jackets would go on a 9-0 run led by three-pointers by sophomore guard Layla Baumann and freshman Alli Ligocki. That 9-0 run extend into a 15-3 run to end the quarter and extend the lead to 51-33. Giese and Nelson would start the fourth period scoring the first eight Yellowjacket points, putting their team up comfortably where they would hold on and win by a final score of 66-50.
 
"We were a little slow to start with, but our defense kept us in the game. We got a lot of deflections, and those turnovers sparked our offense so that was great to see," added Breen. "Aspen Giese had a double-double with 14 points and 10 boards and played an overall solid game – with those offensive rebounds and the turnovers we forced, it puts us in great opportunities to be successful. Layla (Baumann) and Alli (Ligocki) gave us great minutes off the bench, but again, the team defense was impressive the led us to the victory. We are looking forward to next week with the home tournament to start the regular season. It was a great team win and I loved the energy we brought – this team plays hard and that is what helps them be successful."
 
In a not-so-common stat, the Yellowjackets shot better from 3-point range (31%) than inside the arc (30%), but solid defense, and impressive free throw shooting (15/17) would help guide them to the 16-point victory. Potentially most impressive of all, the 'Jackets grabbed 18 offensive rebounds to the Skylights 3, led by Giese, Dyauni Boyce, and Kortney Nelson, all with five each; those offensive rebounds would account for 12 total points. They also took care of the ball on the shorter, more congested, high school court, totaling only eight team turnovers, but forcing the Skylights into 22. Boyce and Nelson led the defensive showcase with four steals each, followed by senior Chloe Williams with three.
 
The win in their exhibition finale was a total team effort as 13 different 'Jackets saw action on the court. Six players had 7+ points on the afternoon, while they saw scoring contributions from over half of the team.
 
The community outreach game has become an annual event for the 'Jackets. They are now 2-0 in such preseason games, after grabbing a victory in Winifred, Montana in 2023, where senior Dyauni Boyce played for her high school career.
 
 
THE BUZZ:  Aspen Giese was named the Intermountain Health Player of the Game after tallying a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds.
 
UP NEXT: The Yellowjackets return to Billings and will prepare for the DII CCA Tip-Off at the Trailhead Classic. The tournament will begin on Friday, November 1^st and conclude on Sunday, November 3^rd with the 'Jackets playing at 1 PM each day in Alterowitz Gym. Friday's season opener will be against Texas A&M International.
 
All coverage of Yellowjacket women's basketball can be found online here.