BILLINGS, Mont. – The Montana State University Billings women's basketball team were able to notch another mark in the win column on Thursday, defeating University of Alaska Fairbanks 71-51 in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play.
 
It was a tale of two halves in the victory for the #20 Yellowjackets (17-4, 6-2 GNAC) who opened the game dominant on the defensive end in a low-scoring affair, before an explosive second half shooting performance would give the 'Jackets the boost they'd need to return to the win column against the Nanooks (5-11, 0-8 GNAC).
 
"This result was great tonight," said head coach Kevin Woodin. "Coming off of two losses last week, we needed to coach better and play better. We can do some things better, and Fairbanks made us work for it, you just have to be ready every time. We can do some things better, but our focus was just on winning this game today, and were excited for the next one."
 
The night was also highlighted by the historical achievements of a pair of seniors, with both Aspen Giese and Kortney Nelson crossing the 1,000-point mark in their Yellowjacket careers, becoming the 27^th and 28^th players respectively to score over 1,000 points as a Yellowjacket.
 
"It means so much to us to see Aspen and Kortney achieve this," said Woodin. "They're four-year players, they've put in the time in the offseason and during the season. It's hard to get 1,000 points for any program, but especially one that shares the ball like we do. And then when you add in Dyauni, whose coming up on 1,400 points, what those three have been able to accomplish is impressive. They're team players first, but I'm so happy for them."
 
Coming into the game with both Montana natives just one basket away from history, Giese would reach the mark first with her opening three-pointer at 7:07 in the first quarter. Giese would finish the game with a team-high 16 points, shooting 5-10 from three-point range and adding four steals, three rebounds, and an assist.
 
"It's so much fun to reach this milestone," said Giese. "And it's even more fun that I get to do this with Kortney and Dyauni. "I am truly surrounded by the best people that have helped me accomplish this, and I am so thankful for everyone's support. Thank you to my coaches, my teammates past and present, and my family and friends."
 
Nelson wouldn't have to wait much longer to join her, getting her historic basket at the 8:44 mark in the second quarter. She would drive into the paint before working a move on her defender, then hitting a reverse layup under the basket to cross 1,000. Nelson would finish the game with six points, and tie for her career-high with eight assists, along with a rebound and a steal.

"I'm very thankful for the opportunity to play here at MSUB," said Nelson. "My accomplishments have come from the amazing teammates I have played with over the years. It is very special to reach this career achievment along with Aspen and Dyauni."
 
Dyauni Boyce would finish with her third double-double of the season, scoring 13 points and grabbing 11 rebounds to go with a trio of assists and steals, and two blocks. Chenoa Louie would finish with ten points and five rebounds to round out the 'Jackets in double-figure scoring. Kaitlin Grossman flirted with her first career double-double, finishing with ten rebounds to tie her career-high and adding eight points, and a block and a rebound each. Layla Baumann scored seven points with three assists and two rebounds, while Chloe Williams scored six points with three assists and two steals. Indie Browning scored five points in the game, collecting a pair of rebounds and a steal. As a unit, the 'Jackets shot 45.0% from the field and 36.2% from three, while getting 22 points off the bench.
 
MSUB would start strong in the opening minutes of the first quarter, scoring ten points in the opening 3:10 of action to take a small early lead. But following a promising start, the Yellowjackets would go cold from the field, with the Nanooks finishing the rest of the period on a 9-2 run to hold a three-point advantage going into the second quarter. Needing to grab back the momentum, the Yellowjackets would do so behind a strong defensive performance, allowing just four points and holding Alaska Fairbanks to just 13.3% shooting across the second quarter, including an impressive stretch over the final 8:17 of the half where the 'Jackets didn't allow a single point. That boost would help the Yellowjackets retake their lead before halftime behind an 11-0 run, building up a 25-19 cushion.
 
"I think the way we finished the second quarter was key to the win," said Woodin. "Fairbanks played us hard and made some shots early to take the lead while we missed some shots we usually make, but I'm proud of how our defense stuck in there. You've got to go with the ebbs and flows of the game, and we didn't let our offensive struggles affect out effort on the other end."
 
The third quarter would see MSUB surge offensively, scoring 27 points on 10-16 shooting, and 4-6 shooting from three as the Yellowjackets continued to build their advantage over Alaska Fairbanks. The Nanooks would remain in the game with 21 points of their own, but the Yellowjackets would continue to grow their lead behind a 13-2 run in the opening two minutes of the quarter, heading into the fourth quarter ahead by 12. From there, the 'Jackets would continue their strong performance from the field, shooting north of 50% again in the final quarter to see out the contest, and get the 'Jackets back to winning ways after dropping two straight last week.
 
"It was big for us to come out and make shots early in the third quarter," said Woodin. "We got six points right away with back-to-back threes to get a little breathing room, and we just maintained that lead the rest of the game. They kept playing us hard, but I thought we finished the game well, and it was a great win."
 
THE BUZZ: Grossman was selected as the Intermountain Health Player of the Game… with the trio of Boyce, Giese, and Nelson now surpassing 1,000 career points, the trio become the first class of seniors to have three 1,000-point scorers in their group… Giese also surpassed Bobbi Knudsen for sixth place on the career three-point list, and sits just two threes behind Jenny Landford's 184 and the top five in program history… Nelson has now totaled 408 career assists, ranking sixth in program history… Boyce played her 125^th career game, tying Rylee Kane and Shayla Montague for second most in program history.
 
UP NEXT: MSUB looks to keep it's momentum going in a pivotal game on Saturday, January 25 when they take on top of the GNAC University of Alaska Anchorage (17-2, 8-0 GNAC) at Alterowitz Gym. Tipoff is scheduled for 4:15 PM, with live video available here, and live statistics available here. Tickets are available for purchase online here. Attendees are encouraged to wear red as both Yellowjacket basketball programs raise awareness and pay tribute to Missing and Murdered Indigenous People, in coordination with the Native American Achievement Center. A remembrance walk will take place at halftime of the women's game.