LAS VEGAS, Nev. – The Montana state University Billings women's basketball team finished it's road trip to Las Vagas with it's second consecutive ranked victory, taking down Lubbock Christian University 71-58 in the team's final non-conference game of the regular season.
 
In a high-profile top ten matchup between the #3 Yellowjackets (13-2, 2-0 GNAC) and #7 Lady Chaps (10-3, 4-1 LSC), it would be MSUB who would pick up a signature victory in the team's final contest of 2024, collecting an impressive double-digit victory. The 'Jackets would hold the lead for nearly the entire game, never trailing after taking the lead late in the first quarter. The victory helped seal a 2-1 record for MSUB on it's Las Vegas road trip, and a 2-0 record in games played as a part of the Holiday Hoops Classic.
 
"Today was a great win for our group against a really tough Lubbock Christian team," said head coach Kevin Woodin. "It's nice to go 2-0 in these Vegas tournament games, it's the first time we've done that since we started attending. Hats off to my players and staff for their preparation and efforts in picking up back-to-back wins against ranked teams."
 
Aspen Giese led the way for the 'Jackets with 18 points, hitting 7-13 from the field and going 4-6 from beyond the arc. The senior guard also totaled five rebounds, four assists, and a block. Dyauni Boyce finished behind her with 15 points, adding seven rebounds, four assists, two steals, and a block to her stat line. Layla Baumann added some clutch shooting from outside, setting a new career-high in scoring with 14 points, matching Giese's 4-6 mark from three. Chenoa Louie had seven points and six rebounds, while Kortney Nelson had six points, nine rebounds, six assists, two blocks, and a steal. Kaitlin Grossman also scored six points with four rebounds and a block, while Chloe Williams had five points, along with a pair of assists and steals. Overall, the Yellowjackets shot 42.6% from the field, 47.4% from three, and 83.3% from the free throw line, scoring efficiently at all levels.
 
The two powerhouse programs battled hard straight from the opening tip, with neither team able to pull ahead by more than a basket or two in the first quarter. After trading points to open the game, a mini run by the Lady Chaps would see LCU jump ahead by five, but back-to-back threes by Baumann would quickly close the gap. And after a made jumper from Nelson, a third three-pointer from Baumann at 2:53 in the opening quarter would give the Yellowjackets a 20-17 lead, with the 'Jackets never trailing again in the game following that point. That score would hold until the second quarter, where MSUB would fully take control, opening the quarter on a 12-0 run to put the Lady Chaps on their heels. The second quarter would prove to be the Yellowjacket's strongest of the game offensively, with MSUB shooting 52.9% from the field and putting up 22 points. That success, combined with a strong defensive showing would help the Yellowjackets take a comfortable 42-29 lead into halftime, firmly in control of the contest.
 
"We played one of our best first halves of the season," Woodin said. "I thought we did a great job of sharing the ball, and attacking from both the inside and outside on offense. Both Layla and Chenoa gave our lineup a huge spark off the bench, and we just played a very complete game to take a double-digit lead into halftime."
 
The third quarter would see Lubbock Christian begin to battle back as the third quarter commenced however, overcoming a difficult end to the first half to chip into the Yellowjacket's lead. LCU would cut the lead to as close as two, scoring 26 points in the quarter and taking advantage of some MSUB foul trouble by going 8-9 from the free throw line. But the Yellowjackets would continue to match every punch thrown their way, never losing control of the game and maintaining a five-point lead heading into the four quarter. The Yellowjackets would dominate the final ten minutes defensively, allowing just three points on one made basket in the final quarter of action. They're adjustments would allow MSUB to outscore the Lady Chaps 11-3 down the stretch, providing the Yellowjackets a cushion to close out the game, and collect their second consecutive win against a nationally ranked opponent.
 
"We looked a little stagnant on offense in the third," said Woodin. "Give Lubbock a lot of credit for fighting back and challenging us in the third quarter. We talked at the end of the third about getting back to our basics, and we did just that. We played outstanding defense throughout the fourth quarter, and we once again executed very well down the stretch to close out the game. We're looking forward to the long break, taking a minute to rest and recover, and are excited to jump into the rest of GNAC play."
 
THE BUZZ: Both Giese and Baumann were selected as Intermountain Health Players of the Game… the game marked the second game in a row the Yellowjacket's defense has held a team to just one made shot from the field in a quarter… MSUB is currently holding opponents to just 55.1 points per game, third lowest in the GNAC, with the 'Jackets 13.1 average margin ranking second… MSUB is also holding opponents to just 37.5% shooting from the field, and just 28.2% shooting from three-point range… Boyce has now scored 1,276 career points, passing Tanya Peterson for the 15^th most in program history… Nelson is now at 958 career points, while Giese is now at 934… the game also marked the 119^th game that Boyce has played as a Yellowjacket, moving into sole possession of the fifth most games played in program history… MSUB is now 2-2 against ranked opponents this season.
 
UP NEXT: The Yellowjackets march back into conference play after the holiday break, taking the court next on Saturday, January 4 at Alterowitz Gym against Seattle Pacific. Tipoff is scheduled for 2 PM, with live video available here, and live statistics available here. Tickets are available for purchase online here.