BILLINGS, Mont. – The Montana State University Billings women's basketball team came out on the wrong end of a battle between WBCA Top 25 ranked teams, falling 69-52 to Grand Valley State on day two of the D2CCA Tipoff Classic at the Trailhead.
 
The #6 Yellowjackets (1-1) and #3 Lakers (2-0) squared off in a battle of ranked opponents, but it would be Grand Valley State who would finish with the ranked victory early in the season, wearing down the 'Jackets to hand MSUB it's first defeat of the season. Grand Valley State would outshoot the 'Jackets 41.4%-35.1%, with ten different players scoring in the game as the team's depth led their way to victory.
 
"We lost to a great Grand Valley State team today," said MSUB head coach Kevin Woodin. "They're a deep, talented, well-coached group. I liked the fight that our players had today, we just came up a little bit short. I thought we defended well, especially on the inside. This is a great measuring stick opportunity for us, and it's a great experience for us to play a high-quality team like this early in the season."
 
Aspen Giese led the way for MSUB with 18 points, adding a trio of rebounds and steals each, while Dyanui Boyce totaled ten points, four rebounds, two steals, and a block. Meanwhile, Kortney Nelson had seven points, four rebounds, three assists, and a steal. Layla Baumann scored six points, while Kaitlin Grossman and Chenoa Louie each had four points. Grossman added a team high four assists, and four rebounds.
 
"The difference in the game tonight was from the three-point line," Woodin said. "They hit theirs, and we weren't able to get ours to drop. I think that's something fixable, and I know that down the road we will make our shots at a higher rate."
 
The opening quarter would remain close as the Yellowjackets would stay hot on the Laker's tails, never letting them pull away by more than a few points. MSUB would outshoot Grand Valley State from the field, and narrowly edge them on the glass, but five first quarter turnovers would help provide the visitors fast break opportunities, a theme that would continue into the second quarter. The Yellowjackets wouldn't let them Lakers outscore them by much in the second quarter, but narrow victories continued to compound as Grand Valley took a 35-26 lead into the break.
 
The second half would see Grand Valley State come out and shoot 53.3% in the third quarter, beginning to open up the game as MSUB tried valiantly to remain in the game. But the 'Jackets would be unable to close the gap heading into the fourth quarter, while foul trouble would force MSUB to adapt as the second half wore on. The 'Jackets would then go cold, shooting 23.5% in the fourth quarter while the Lakers made their way to victory.
 
THE BUZZ: Giese was named the Intermountain Health Player of the Game.
 
UP NEXT: MSUB concludes the D2CCA Tipoff Classic at the Trailhead on Sunday, November 3, where they'll look to avenge their loss in a game against University of Findlay at Alterowitz Gym. Tipoff is scheduled for 1 PM, with live video available here, and live statistics available here. Tickets are available for purchase online here.