BILLINGS, Mont. – The Montana State University Billings women's basketball team cruised to victory in the team's final home game of the calendar year, taking down Lethbridge Polytechnic 89-42 in non-conference action.
 
With the Yellowjackets (5-7, 0-2 GNAC) facing off against the Kodiak's (4-6, 4-6 ACAC) before three road games next week to wrap up non-conference play, MSUB was able to use the contest to build up some momentum, racing past the visitors behind an absurd first half effort that saw the 'Jackets ahead 60-12 through the opening two quarters of action. From there the team was able to run away with a win, with ample time to get some of the Yellowjackets reserves extended minutes of action.
 
"I think it's really good to be able to get our whole team extended time," said MSUB head coach Kevin Woodin. "At one point in the first quarter we had five freshmen on the court at one time even which is pretty rare, but I was thrilled with how well we passed the ball. We got the ball inside and outside well to beat their zone. I thought we showed great poise, and shared the ball very well."
 
Ten different Yellowjackets would score in the game, with seven of them scoring eight points or more. Leading the way was Kyla Momberg, who posted 15 points to go with three rebounds, two assists, and a steal. Behind her, the freshman duo of Cassie Chesnut and Tailey Harris would each score 14 points, with Harris adding five assists and a pair of rebounds and steals each, while Chesnut grabbed six rebounds and dished out two assists. Kaitlin Grossman, Rae Smart, and Allison Kunze would each score nine points in the game. Grossman would grab a team-best ten rebounds and three steals to go with four assists, Smart would snag seven rebounds in addition to three assists and a block, and Kunze would go 7-8 from the free throw line with three rebounds and an assist. Avery Burkhart would post career-highs in scoring with eight points and rebounds with six boards, while Katelyn Hamilton would score six points on a pair of made three-pointers. Alli Ligocki and Brooklynn Brennan would round out the scoring with three and two points respectively, with Ligocki posting four rebounds and a steal, and Brennan finishing with a pair of rebounds, assist, and steals as well.
 
After trading three pointers to open the first quarter, MSUB would explode to score the next 15 points of the quarter, opening the game on an 18-3 run that would span the first 6:01 of the opening quarter. Nine of those 15 points would come from Chesnut, who would help to lead the 'Jackets to a strong offensive start, shooting 10-18 (55.6%) and making 5-11 (45.5%) of their shots from beyond the arch. Between their strong shooting, and a lockdown defensive effort that saw the 'Jackets allow just two made shots from the field, MSUB would lead 27-7 heading into the second quarter, where the Yellowjackets would be even better on the offensive end of the court. Scoring the first 14 points of the quarter, including three makes from beyond the arch, MSUB would deny the Kodiaks from making a single shot from the field in the second quarter, allowing just five free throws while catching fire themselves, making 12-18 (66.7%) looks from the field and 5-7 (71.4%) from the field. MSUB would finish the second quarter by outscoring the Kodiaks by 28 in the quarter, heading into the half up 60-12.
 
The Yellowjackets would come back down to earth offensively as the third quarter commenced, with Lethbridge Polytechnic improving their perimeter defense while more of their shots began to fall. But with a commanding advantage, the Yellowjackets were able to get a number of players extended time in the contest, trying out different looks and combinations of players as the team saw out the win, finishing with a season high in points scored, made field goals and three-pointers, rebounds, and assists.
 
THE BUZZ: Harris was named the Intermountain Health Player of the Game.
 
UP NEXT: The Yellowjackets kick off their stretch of three road games to end the season next week by heading down the road to face off against Rocky Mountain College on Monday, December 15. MSUB will look to complete a season sweep of their rivals in the Rimrock Rivalry, after defeating the Battlin' Bears 73-45 in their previous meeting. Tipoff is set for 5 PM at the Fortin Center, with live video available here, and live statistics available here.