BILLINGS, Mont. – Opening it's season on home court Friday, the Montana State University Billings women's basketball team put on a show to begin the 2024-25 regular season, easily downing Texas A&M International University 76-45 on day one of the D2CCA Tipoff Classic at the Trailhead.
 
The #6 Yellowjackets (1-0) started the season on a high note, never trailing in a game they would lead for all but 16 seconds, racing past the Dustdevils (0-1) and putting on a display worthy of their billing as #6 in the WBCA Preseason Poll. MSUB put on an electric showing all over the court, shooting 46.5% from the field while holding their opponents to just a 25% clip from the field. MSUB also more than doubled Texas A&M International in rebounds, besting the visitors 58-27, while setting a new program record for blocks in a game with 13.
 
"Today was a great win, and a great way to start our season," said MSUB head coach Kevin Woodin. "I liked our defensive intensity today, I thought we kept that up all game and had active hands, getting to a lot of deflections and blocked shots. And we really dominated the glass today. We talked about the importance of rebounding today, so I thought our defense and hustle was key today."
 
Chloe Williams led all players in scoring with 17 points, matching her career high while shooting 8-14 from the field, and chipping in six rebounds.
 
"I'm really happy for Chloe," Woodin said. "She has been a big player for us the past few seasons, but hasn't had the opportunity to start until this year. She's going to be a key player from the beginning of every game for us now, and she did some really impressive things on both sides of the court. She's a wonderful player and leader, and I think she's going to have an incredible year for us."
 
Behind Williams was Dyauni Boyce and newcomer Chenoa Louie, with Boyce adding seven rebounds, four assists, and a block, while Louie had a career high four blocks to go with five rebounds and two steals. Aspen Giese was one point away from a double-double, putting up nine points to go with 11 rebounds, five assists, three steals, and a block. Kaitlin Grossman scored seven points with eight rebounds, three assists, two steals, and a block, while Layla Baumann added six points, and Bailey Finn had five. Eight different players ended the game with a block for MSUB, including two additional rejections from Avery Burkhart, and one from Kortney Nelson, Indie Browning, and Camryn Koester.
 
"I felt offensively that we shared the ball well," said Woodin. "We had 22 assists, which is a great number, and we were effective at getting the ball in the paint. I also thought we got some good minutes from our bench today, and was happy to get our depth involved."
 
Grossman would open the game with the Yellowjacket's first basket, and help spark a 13-2 run over the first four minutes of the first quarter to help MSUB build an early cushion. It was a lead built upon points in the paint, where MSUB dominated in the early stages, and hustle, with the 'Jackets grabbing six offensive rebounds and capitalizing on second chance looks, while forcing seven Dustdevil turnovers in the first ten minutes. After Texas A&M International would cut the lead to eight heading into the second quarter though, the Yellowjacket offense would turn on the jets, shooting 58.8% from the field in the second quarter and led by Williams, who would total 15 points in the opening two periods. The Yellowjackets would be even more impressive on the other side of the court, allowing just five points and outrebounding TAMIU 20-2 to build a 46-16 halftime advantage.
 
The 'Jackets would continue to build their advantage in the third quarter, continuing to spread the ball around and build their advantage as the game ticked closer to it's inevitable conclusion. MSUB would outscore the Dustdevils once more, allowing single digit points for the second consecutive quarter, taking a commanding lead into the fourth quarter, where the 'Jackets would be able to take their foot off the gas some down the stretch, and coast to a commanding victory to open the season.
 
Janiya Murphy and Trinity Chears would lead Texas A&M International in scoring with 11 points apiece, with Murphy adding four rebounds and two assists, while Chears had three rebounds.
 
THE BUZZ: Williams was selected as the Intermountain Health Player of the Game… she leads all players in scoring following the conclusion of day one of the D2CCA Tipoff Classic at the Trailhead…  Boyce, who was honored pregame after scoring her 1,000^th career point in MSUB's postseason run last season, passed Robyn Milne to become the 25^th highest scorer in MSUB program history with 1,074 points… MSUB bested it's previous high for blocks in a game, which it previously achieved on January 26, 2002 against Montana Tech, and February 28, 2003 against North Greensville… Bailey Finn, Indie  Browning, Camryn Koester, Alli Ligocki, and Katelyn Hamilton all made their regular season Yellowjacket debuts, with Finn, Browning, Koester, and Ligocki all totaling their first career points.
 
UP NEXT: The #6 Yellowjackets face their toughest game of the D2CCA Tipoff Classic on Saturday, November 2, with a ranked battle against #3 Grand Valley State University.
 
"Grand Valley State is one of the best programs in the country," commented Woodin. "They're an experienced group, and they looked very good today. It's an awesome opportunity for us to get to play a team of that caliber this early in the season. It lets us see where our team is, and I think we've got a special group that's up to the challenge."
 
Tipoff is scheduled for 1 PM, with live video available here, and live statistics available here. Tickets and tournament passes are available to purchase online here.