BILLINGS, Mont. – The Montana State University Billings women's basketball team concluded the Yellowjacket Classic with it's second win in as many days, defeating Colorado School of Mines 85-54.
 
Following a tight first quarter, the Yellowjackets (6-1) upped their play to run away with their fifth consecutive win, dominating the Orediggers (1-2) on both ends of the floor. The 'Jackets outshot Mines 42.6% to 31.0% from the field, shot better from both the three-point and free throw lines, while six Yellowjackets finished with double figures in scoring. MSUB also outrebounded the visitors 49-35, while collecting 13 steals and ten blocks on the defensive side of the ball.
 
"This was the game we've been waiting for," said associate head coach Alisha Breen. "We talked beforehand about how we've still been looking to have an attacking mentality and put together a full game, and that's exactly what we did today. To have six players score in double figures is unreal, and we had eight players get at least two rebounds, which is huge. Our depth, especially after playing back-to-back games is special, and it was important for us today against a good Mines team."
 
Aspen Giese and Dyauni Boyce tied with a team-high 13 points, with Giese completing her second double-double of the season with 11 rebounds to go with four steals, an assist, and a block, while Boyce tied her career high with four blocks, also grabbing four rebounds, four steals, and three assists. Layla Baumann set multiple career highs in the game with 12 points, eight rebounds, and three assists, while Chenoa Louie also scored 12, a new high for her at MSUB, while chipping in four rebounds, two steals, and a block. Chloe Williams had ten points, going 3-4 from beyond the arc, adding three rebounds, two blocks, and a steal and assist, while Kaitlin Grossman finished with ten points, five rebounds, and two blocks. Kortney Nelson put in an impressive all-around performance with eight points, seven rebounds, four assists, and a steal. Bailey Finn scored three points, while both Camryn Koester and Avery Burkhart scored two.
 
"Something that we focus on in practice a lot is really trying to work with the team and get everybody shots," said Giese. "It's one of the things I love about this team; everybody can score, and we're all really good at different things, so when we get to play a game where everybody is scoring, that's a lot of fun."
 
The 'Jackets were able to jump out to an early lead in the first quarter behind a hot shooting start from beyond the arc. MSUB opened the game by knocking down three of its first four long-range attempts, but Mines would push right back to even the score at nine. MSUB would cool off from deep as the period wore on, falling just behind the Orediggers, but a 5-0 run on free throws to finish off the first would see the 'Jackets grab back a 17-16 advantage heading into the second quarter. That run would grow to 11-0 as the 'Jackets regained their shooting touch with a pair of triples to open the quarter. Mines would continue to battle hard to keep the game competitive, but the Yellowjackets would finish the half strong with another 11-0 run to expand their lead. Boosted by a dominant performance on the boards, outrebounding the visitors 17-9, MSUB would take a 36-24 lead into halftime.
 
"We decided to change up our defense a little between the first and second quarters, and that helped give us a spark on both ends of the floor," said Breen. "The girls really bought in to it, and we're so athletic that even if we're outsized, the girls get their hands on so much, and are able to turn that into points on the other end."
 
The Yellowjackets would continue to grow their lead in the third quarter, putting up their highest scoring period of the game with 26 points. MSUB would shoot 42.1% from the floor, knocking down four threes and going a perfect 6-6 from the free throw line, pulling ahead by 23 heading into the fourth quarter. From there, the Yellowjackets would be able to put the game on cruise control, outscoring the Orediggers 23-15 down the stretch while shooting 58.8% from the field to win the team's fifth game in a row.
 
"We're lucky to have a lot of games in November," said Breen. "And our goal has been to protect our home court. That been our mantra, and it was great to accomplish that this weekend. We've just got to keep getting better day by day, because our goal is to become the best version of ourselves come March."
 
Emma Sixta led Mines in scoring for the game, totaling 16 points with five boards and two blocks. She was followed by Jenna Siebert and Peyton Freiermuth who each scored nine points, and Audrey Beaty, who had six.
 
THE BUZZ: Baumann was named the Intermountain Health Player of the Game… both Giese and Nelson were selected to the Yellowjacket Classic All-Tournament Team, with Giese chosen as a Co-MVP… Giese averaged 16 points across both of MSUB's games this week, along with 8.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 3.5 steals, and 0.5 blocks… Boyce moved to 1,152 career points, jumping up to 19^th in program history and passing Tami Fleek… MSUB's 85 points was a season high for points scored by the 'Jackets… MSUB moves to 4-1 while playing at Alterowitz Gym this season.
 
UP NEXT: The Yellowjackets take the court next in an exhibition down the road at the Fortin Center, squaring off against crosstown rival Rocky Mountain College in the season's first iteration of the Rimrock Rivalry. The game is scheduled for Wednesday, November 20 at 7 PM, with live video available here, and live statistics available here.