BILLINGS, Mont. – The Montana State University Billings women's basketball team wrapped up it's preseason slate of games with a matchup against Carroll College, picking up a narrow 48-45 win.
 
The contest, which was an exhibition for the Yellowjackets, but the regular season opener for the visiting Saints (0-1), who marched into Billings looking to start their season strong. Both teams would struggle to find much offensive momentum in a low scoring, defense showdown. But it would be the 'Jackets who would make the shots they needed to the most in the final stages of the game, with the team digging deep to make the necessary plays to collect the win, and head into the regular season with two consecutive exhibition wins.
 
"This was a tough game," said Yellowjacket head coach Kevin Woodin. "Carroll played us tough throughout, but we found a way to win tonight, and I'm proud of our effort."
 
MSUB would shoot 35.2% from the field, hitting just a single three-pointer while turning the ball over 20 times. But the Yellowjackets would overcome their offensive struggles with an aggressive defensive performance, holding Carroll to just 28.8% shooting from the field while collecting 11 steals and nine blocks in the game.
 
Kaitlin Grossman collected a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds, adding in five blocks and three steals on the defensive end of the floor. Layla Baumann would lead MSUB in scoring with 15 points, taking on three assists. Redshirt freshman Brooklynn Brennan would score nine points on 4-7 shooting, while collecting five steals, two rebound, and two assists. Cassie Chesnut would add five points and a team-high 14 rebounds to go with three blocks and a steal, while Kyla Momberg would score four with two rebounds, two steals, and one blocks, and Rae Smart would contribute two points and five rebounds.
 
After falling behind 4-2 in the opening minutes of the game, Brennan would tie the game up for MSUB with her first basket of the game, kicking off a 12-2 run for the Yellowjackets that would span three minutes of game action. Brennan and Baumann would combine to score 10 of the 'Jackets 12 points during the run, helping MSUB build a small lead in the early stages. Grossman would hit back-to-back layups as MSUB and Carroll traded shots, but the Saints would chip away at the lead with five points in the final minute of the first quarter, closing the gap to five heading into the second quarter. The second period would see both teams struggle to put the ball in the basket, shooting a combined 5-31 and scoring just 11 points. But Carroll would achieve slightly more of the little offense that occurred in the second, taking the lead briefly before Baumann would tie things back up with her jumper at the 5:33 mark. From there, neither team would score another point until the final second of the half, when Momberg would toss up and bank in a buzzer-beater, giving MSUB a two-point advantage at the break.
 
"We started the game well offensively," said Woodin. "We went up by ten at one point, but give Carroll credit they got some back at the end of the first. I thought we made a few mistakes to help give them a few points, but then in the second quarter we just couldn't buy a basket, and turned it over a little more than we'd like to."
 
The third quarter would see both teams return to some normalcy on offense, with both teams finding slightly more success in their scoring efforts. After trading baskets in the first few minutes, the Fighting Saints would grab the lead on a three with 7:54 in the quarter, and briefly hold the 'Jackets at bay. But back-to-back buckets from Baumann and Brennan would reinsert MSUB into the lead, with Grossman adding some late free throws to push the lead to three heading into the final ten minutes of action. The final quarter would be neck-and-neck, with Carroll taking back the lead once more and keeping close throughout the remainder of the game. But five points from Grossman would help the 'Jackets regain their lead, before some crucial stops and baskets from MSUB would help MSUB see out a highly contested victory, with the Yellowjackets hoping to take this winning momentum into the regular season.
 
"I thought we played a good half to end the game," Woodin praised. "We really had to battle. We're still working on figuring out how to play together and build our rotation. But we're a really deep team, and everyone in this group really wants to compete. Ultimately, we were able to tough it out tonight, and I'm proud of the way we played."
 
THE BUZZ: Grossman was named the Intermountain Health Player of the Game.
 
UP NEXT: MSUB is set to open the regular season by playing host to the D2CCA Tipoff at the Trailhead, with three games set for this upcoming weekend. The 'Jackets will open their slate against University of Mary on Friday, November 7^th in Alterowitz Gym, with tipoff set for 7:30 PM. Live video will be available on the GNAC Network, while live statistics can be found online here. Tickets for the D2CCA Tipoff at the Trailhead can be found online here.