BILLINGS, Mont. – The Montana State University Billings women's basketball team competed in it's first exhibition matchup of the preseason on Tuesday, hosing the program's annual Elementary School Game presented by Stockman Bank. The matchup saw the 'Jackets take on Montana Tech University.
 
MSUB would host hundreds of local students from Big Sky, Elysian, Meadowlark, Newman, Shepard elementary schools, all of which are located in or around the Billings area. Those students would help create a loud, high-energy environment to help kick off the season for the Yellowjackets, who went to those schools the previous week to meet with students face-to-face.
 
"It was a great environment," said MSUB head coach Kevin Woodin. "I'm very happy these five schools were able to join us, and create such a fun game atmosphere. This is our seventh year hosting this game, and it keeps getting better every single year."
 
The Yellowjackets would be defeated by the Orediggers, with Montana Tech rallying in the second half to take a 63-54 win. Despite the result, the exhibition would mark the first collegiate action for seven players, while nine total newcomers touched the floor for a young Yellowjacket squad, who showed promise while continuing to find chemistry on the court.
 
"We have a young team," said Woodi, "And we're replacing a lot of veteran players. It's going to take some time for us to gel. We need to work on hitting our shots and physicality, but I'm proud of our effort and the way that we competed today. This was a good test for us, and I know that we are going to keep getting better.
 
Layla Baumann led the way with 16 points for MSUB, hitting 4-7 shots from three-point range and adding a trio of rebounds and assists. Behind her, freshman Tailey Harris scored eight, grabbing six boards and dishing out four assists, while Montana Western transfer Kyla Momberg scored seven points. Senior Kaitlin Grossman scored six with eight rebounds and two assists, and JUCO product Allison Kunze scored five with two rebounds. Brooklyn Brennan and Shelbi LaBrie would each score four points, while Cassie Chesnut and Rae Smart scored two.
 
"Layla had a great year last year and is a really strong player," said Woodin. "She can score at all three levels, and is going to have a great season for us. She and Kaitlin Grossman are our team captains this year, and they're great leaders. They do a great job of working with our young players, and they're going to help them come along."
 
THE BUZZ: Baumann was named the Intermountain Health Player of the Game.
 
UP NEXT: The Yellowjackets continue their preseason slate next on Sunday, October 26, hitting the road to Malta, Montana to take part in the program's third annual Community Outreach Game. The 'Jackets will square off against Montana State University-Northern, with tipoff scheduled for 2 PM at Malta High School.
 
"The Community Outreach Game means a lot to us because we have so many girls who are from smalltown Montana," said Woodin. "It's a reflection of our program, and it's fun to go to those communities. It's year three for us, and it's been a success each time. The towns step up to help support and sponsor us, and it's been a blast to showcase our program and these local communities. It will be very exciting for both teams, and we're excited to get to Malta and play on Sunday."
 
Live coverage for all Yellowjacket women's basketball games can be found on the MSUB Women's Basketball Schedule Page.