LACEY, Wash. – The Montana State University Billings women's basketball team started slow, but quickly recovered to earn a hard-fought 57-50 victory over Saint Martin's University in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play.
 
With the victory, the Yellowjackets (21-4, 12-1 GNAC) officially clinched their berth in the GNAC Championships, scheduled to take place in Ellensburg, Washington this March. MSUB overcame just two made three-pointers and a 27.6% field goal percentage in the game with solid defense, and through their ability to get to the free throw line. MSUB went 23-30 from the charity stripe, courtesy of 27 fouls committed by the Saints (5-14, 3-9 GNAC), who threatened all night, but we're unable to defeat the 'Jackets on their home court.
 
"We showed a lot of toughness tonight," said head coach Kevin Woodin. "Our shooting was poor early, and it sunk us into a bit of a hole. Saint Martin's defended really well and came out ready to play, but I liked the way we regrouped in the second quarter. It's always tough to win on the road, and I'm proud of this team."
 
Chloe Williams notched her first career double-double, finishing with 11 points and ten rebounds, along with a steal and a block. Dyauni Boyce led the 'Jackets in scoring with 15 points, while also finishing with seven rebounds, three steals, two assists, and a block. Kola Bad Bear has 12 points with five rebounds, two assists, a block, and a steal. Kortney Nelson and Aspen Giese each added eight points, with Giese grabbing nine rebounds and dishing out two assists, while Nelson totaled five boards, two steals, and an assist.
 
The Yellowjackets opened the game ice cold from the field, struggling to find any momentum on the offensive end of the court. MSUB made just two shots in the opening ten minutes, shooting 14.3% as the Saints pulled out to a big lead early, holding onto an 11-point advantage at the end of the quarter. But MSUB would respond quickly in the second half, finding their rhythm on offense to the tune of a 47.1% shooting percentage, and 8-9 from the line. The 'Jackets would outscore Saint Martin's 24-11 in the period, with four points in the final minute from Williams sending MSUB into halftime up 29-27.
 
The teams would open up the third quarter with nearly three scoreless minutes, before commencing a rally of lead changes, with the advantage changing hands multiple times in the third quarter. But when the Saints would grab the lead, they'd never hold it for long, with the Yellowjackets responding almost immediately to take back the lead. The lead would remain at just two points heading into the fourth quarter, and while Saint Martin's would continue to remain just a possession away at the start of the final quarter, the Yellowjackets would go on a 7-0 run in the middle of the fourth to grow a 51-43 lead with 3:39 remaining. That would be enough of a cushion for the Yellowjackets to see off a scrappy Saint's team, who would pull back to as close as three points, but never take the lead down the stretch as 11 fourth quarter free throws would help MSUB see out a hard-fought victory.
 
"The second half was just a really physical defensive battle," said Woodin. "I thought our defense down the stretch was the key to us winning, and we did a great job executing on our free throws down the stretch, and kept them from getting the lead back."
 
Shalyse Smith led Saint Martin's with 13 points and 14 rebounds. Sarah Lamet and Kiana Rios each scored nine points, while Lauryn Morris had six points and nine rebounds.
 
THE BUZZ: Williams was selected as the Intermountain Health Player of the Game… The Yellowjackets will head to the GNAC Championships for the programs third time in a row, and earned postseason play for the 14^th time under coach Woodin… The Yellowjackets won their sixth consecutive game over Saint Martin's, and are now 36-12 all-time against the Saints.
 
UP NEXT: The Yellowjackets play their next game on Saturday, February 17, when they return to Alterowitz Gym to take on Seattle Pacific. Tipoff is scheduled for 4:15 PM, with tickets available to purchase online here. Live video will be available here, and live statistics available here.