ELLENSBURG, Wash. – The Montana State University Billings women's basketball team were unable to win on the road against Central Washington University, falling 48-45 in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play.
 
The #6 Yellowjackets (16-4, 5-2 GNAC) stumbled for the second consecutive game on the road, this time falling by just a single basket in a low scoring contest against the Wildcats (12-4, 5-2 GNAC). Both teams struggled to score from the field, with Central Washington shooting just 35.7% from the field while MSUB shot 33.9%. But the Wildcats would squeak out the win after shooting 45.5% down the stretch, using a late run to sink the 'Jackets.
 
"Tonight was a hard-fought game where we fell a little short at the end," said MSUB head coach Kevin Woodin. "We struggled a bit offensively tonight. We had some quality opportunities, but I need to put our players in better places, and we need to improve upon that. I was proud of our defensive effort though. We gave up a few key offensive boards, but we executed well on that end of the floor, and held them to 3-18 shooting from three. We talked about limited them from three before the game, and our players and assistant coaches executed that well. We just didn't make enough perimeter shots ourselves."
 
Chloe Williams finished as MSUB's leading scorer, putting up 11 points with three steals and two rebounds, while Kaitlin Grossman finished with ten points, four rebounds, and three steals. Dyauni Boyce had eight points and eight rebounds, adding five assists, three steals, and a block in a solid all-around performance. Kortney Nelson had seven points, nine rebounds, and a pair of assists and steals, while Aspen Giese scored seven points with four rebounds, an assist, and a block. Chenoa Louie rounded out the scoring for MSUB the 'Jackets with two points, three rebounds, an assist, and a block.
 
The Yellowjackets opened the first quarter in promising fashion, knocking down 50% of their attempts in the opening period. And while the Wildcats would match them shot-for-shot in the early stages, a mid-quarter 9-1 run would give the Yellowjackets an eight-point lead with 2:27 remaining, helping MSUB take an advantage into the second quarter. Central Washington would begin to chip away at the Yellowjacket's advantage as the second quarter commenced, and would even manage to retake the lead with 2:24 remaining, But a pair of late shots from Nelson and Boyce in the final minutes of the half would help MSUB retake a three point lead heading into the break.
 
Both teams would open the second half cold, with neither team hitting a shot until Boyce's jumper at the 6:24 mark. From there however, the teams would continue to trade baskets, with Central battling back to tie the game multiple times, but never fully overtaking the 'Jackets. Both teams would remain tied heading into the fourth quarter, where the 'Jackets would break the deadlock and take a six-point lead in the first 3:26 of the fourth quarter. But MSUB would only manage to score three more points the rest of the game, and the Wildcats would pounce, shooting 45.5% in the final quarter and finishing the game by hitting five of their final six shots, overtaking MSUB and holding on to collect the victory.
 
"It's been a long time since we've gone 0-2 on a road trip," said Woodin. "But it happens, and it's up to us to respond appropriately. We're looking forward to getting home and playing against next week in front of our home fans at Alterowitz."
 
THE BUZZ: Williams was selected as the Intermountain Health Player of the Game… Boyce surpassed Amy Winslow and Kelli Kenyon on the MSUB career point rankings to take possession of 12^th place in MSUB's all-time scoring records with 1,365 points… Nelson has now scored 999 career points as a Yellowjacket, while Giese has scored 998 career points.
 
UP NEXT: MSUB returns to Billings looking to get things back on track with a pair of home games, starting the week off with a matchup against University of Alaska Fairbanks in the program's white out game. on Thursday, January 23 at Alterowitz Gym. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 PM, with live video available here, and live statistics available here. Tickets for MSUB's home games are available for purchase online here.