BILLINGS, Mont. – The Montana State University Billings women's basketball team would fall short against Adams State University Saturday afternoon, dropping it's final game of the Yellowjacket Classic 67-52.
 
The Yellowjackets (3-5) would be unable to overcome the efforts of the Grizzlies (3-2) at Alterowitz Gym, with the visitors building up an early cushion after shooting 50% (15-30) from the field in the first half. That would be enough to see out the contest against the 'Jackets, who would continue to battle but be unable to put together a comeback.
 
"I thought Adams State played very well today," said MSUB head coach Kevin Woodin. "You could tell that they were ready to go today, and we had a difficult time guarding them, and were too inconsistent on the offensive end. Our team is young, but we've had a lot of games under our belts now, and we need to coach better and work harder to become more consistent."
 
Kaitlin Grossman would score a team-leading 12 points, while collecting another double-double with 11 rebounds, adding three assists. Cassie Chesnut would score ten points with nine boards, three blocks, two assists, and a steal. Tailey Harris scored nine points with a pair of steals and rebounds, while Katelyn Hamilton scored eight points with a pair of threes. Allison Kunze added seven points with a pair of rebounds. Rae Smart added three points with a pair of assists and steals, while Brooklynn Brennan scored two points with four rebounds and three assists, and Alli Ligocki added one point.
 
The teams would open the first quarter looking evenly matched, with Adams State putting up seven quick points, but big three-pointers from Chesnut and Smart would keep MSUB right on their heels. The Yellowjackets would be difficult to stop form the perimeter, going 4-8 from three in the quarter, but the Grizzlies would be even more challenging to guard, shooting 9-17 (52.9%) across the opening ten minutes to hold a 23-16 lead as the second quarter commenced. Adams State would continue to build upon that momentum in the second half, doubling the 'Jackets in scoring 18-9 across the period and holding MSUB to just a 3-14 (21.4%) clip as the visitors would open up a 41-25 advantage going into the break.
 
The 'Jackets would show they still had some fight left in them as the third quarter began, with a quick 6-2 run out of halftime forcing the Grizzlies into calling an early timeout. But MSUB would be unable to cut the lead to closer than ten points, with Adams State rightening the ship to maintain a 17-point lead going into the fourth quarter. The Yellowjackets would tighten up on both ends of the floor in the fourth, holding Adams State to just 25% shooting and finish with their most efficient scoring period of the game with a 46.2% mark of their own. But it would be too little too late for MSUB, who would be unable to spark a comeback, falling to the Grizzlies.
 
"A slow start tonight hurt us again," said Woodin. "We got it to single digits, but just couldn't get over the hump again. This team has a fighter's mentality though, and I like the way we continue to compete."
 
THE BUZZ: Grossman was selected as the Intermountain Health Player of the Game… the senior was also chosen to be a part of the Yellowjacket Classic All-Tournament Team…
 
UP NEXT: The Yellowjackets continue their homestand on Tuesday, November 25, facing off against Rocky Mountain College in the first Rimrock Rivalry matchup of the season. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 PM at Alterowitz Gym, with live video available on the GNAC Network, live statistics available here, and tickets for sale online here.