BURNABY, B.C. – The Montana State University Billings women's basketball team finished the GNAC/PacWest Crossover hosted by Simon Fraser by winning the team's third consecutive game, taking down Vanguard University 68-48.
 
The #6 Yellowjackets (4-1) benefitted from a balanced offensive attack, with nine players scoring in the victory over the Lions (0-2). The 'Jackets once again shone on the defensive side of the ball, holding Vanguard to just 28.1% shooting in the game, while making things even more difficult on the perimeter, where the Lions shot just 27.8%. MSUB excelled at getting to the line, knocking down 18 of their 19 free throw attempts in the game, while the 'Jackets excelled from three-point range for the second game in a row, shooting 38.1% from beyond the arch.
 
"I thought we played a great game overall," said Yellowjacket head coach Kevin Woodin. "Everybody contributed on and off the court really well today. Vanguard played us tough and made us work for everything. They kept up with us throughout, but we we're able to pull away late with some great execution down the stretch. Any time you can go 2-0 on a road trip is a feather in the cap for your team, and I'm happy for our team."
 
Chloe Williams led the way with 15 points, shooting 3-4 from three and a perfect 4-4 on free throws. The senior also added six rebounds and four assists, along with a block and a steal. Kaitlin Grossman was also perfect from the charity spot, going 6-6 on her way to tying her career highs in points with 12, and rebounds with eight. Aspen Giese added 11 points, going 3-6 from deep and finishing with three assists, two rebounds, two steals, and a block, while Dyauni Boyce had nine points to go with three blocks and three rebounds. Layla Baumann scored seven points, and Chenoa Louie finished the game with six points and six rebounds. Kortney Nelson grabbed a career-high 11 boards, while adding four steals and four points, while Bailey Finn had three points, and Alli Ligocki scored one.
 
"We did a great job of sharing the ball and spreading the scoring around today," Woodin said. "It was nice to see our three-pointers fall at a higher rate, and we're definitely taking steps forward offensively as a group."
 
Both teams would open the game strong in an even first quarter of action. The Yellowjackets would jump out to an early five-point lead, before the Lions would rally back to keep close for the rest of the quarter. Vanguard would stay right on the Yellowjacket's heels, before sinking a three-pointer on their final possession of the quarter to take a one-point lead. It would be the final time the Yellowjackets would trail for the rest of the game however, with MSUB opening the second quarter on a 10-0 run behind two threes from Giese and a pair of buckets in the paint from Louie to grab back the lead, and build up their advantage. The 'Jackets outscored the Lions 20-12 over the rest of the first half, and shot 57.1% in the second quarter, opening up a 35-28 lead going into halftime.
 
The 'Jackets second half would follow a similar script to the first, with the two teams keeping it close in quarter three before MSUB would run up the lead in the fourth. The Yellowjackets went shot-for-shot with Vanguard in the third, never letting the lead fall below eight as they maintained a healthy advantage heading into the fourth quarter. It was there where MSUB would expand it's lead to an insurmountable margin, knocking down 10-11 free throws in the final ten minutes and holding the Lions to just 21.4% shooting down the stretch on the way to the win.
 
"We did a better job on the boards in the second half," said Woodin. "We outrebounded them decisively, and that was one of the keys to our win. Our players also did a great job hitting free throws down the stretch, and we continued to defend well throughout the entirety of the game."
 
Halle Si'i led Vanguard with 14 points with five rebounds, four assists, and three steals, while Sarah Matossian had ten points, four rebounds, and three assists. MSUB wouldn't let another Lion's player score more than six points, while the rest of their players combined to make just nine shots from the field.
 
THE BUZZ: Grossman was selected as the Intermountain Health Player of the Game… MSUB has only allowed more than 52 points once in the early stages of the season, and is holding teams to an average of 50.8 points per game after five games.
 
UP NEXT: MSUB returns to Alterowitz Gym to host the 2024 Yellowjacket Classic, kicking off their pair of games on the week on Friday, November 15 against Chadron State University. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 PM, with the men's basketball team set for a ceremony at halftime to receive their 2024 GNAC Regular Season Championship rings. Live video of the game will be available online here, while live statistics are available online here. Tickets for all MSUB home games are available online here.