BILLINGS, Mont. – The Montana State University Billings women's basketball team would be unable to collect the win as the team rounded out it's first week of conference games, falling 76-61 to Simon Fraser University in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play.
 
Despite a strong first quarter to open the game, an ice-cold offensive second quarter would see the Yellowjackets (4-7, 0-2 GNAC) fall behind the Red Leafs (6-5, 0-2 GNAC) before halftime. Despite rebounding offensively to begin the second half, the Yellowjackets would be unable to mount a comeback, moving to 0-2 in conference play following the team's first taste of conference action.
 
"We started the game really well," said Yellowjacket head coach Kevin Woodin. "I thought we opened strong offensively. We did a great job of making some shots and building up a lead. But then we just sent stone cold in the second quarter, and that was difficult. I thought we would regroup and play a little bit better, but following that first quarter offensively we just struggled offensively until the late third-early fourth quarter. A big part of that was Simon Fraser's defense, they played a great game, and I thought they were very well coached and prepared for us. We just need to do a better job of preparing ourselves."
 
Kyla Momberg would lead the Yellowjackets in scoring with 15 points, shooting 5-10 from the field while totaling four rebounds, four assists, and one steal. Allison Kunze would post a stat line of 12 points, three steals, and three rebounds, while Tailey Harris would score nine points with four boards, three assists, and two steals. Kaitlin Grossman and Brooklynn Brennan would each score eight points, with Grossman adding nine boards, three assists and one steal, while Brennan had four assists, two steals, and one rebound. Cassie Chesnut would score four points with seven rebounds and a block, Shelbi LaBrie would score three points, and Katelyn Hamilton would score two points.
 
While both sides would trade baskets to start the first quarter, Harris would help boost the Yellowjackets to open the game, scoring six of the team's first eight points in the game. Following a pull up jumper and free throw by the freshman to tie the game at 8-8, Grossman would give MSUB the lead with a jumper of her own, with the pair helping to spark a 13-4 first quarter run, with the 'Jackets shooting 60% (9-15) from the field over the first ten minutes. MSUB would end the first quarter on a 12-2 run, with Momberg scoring eight of those points in the last four minutes to help the 'Jackets take an eight-point lead going into the second quarter. But the second half would be a different story for MSUB, who would go scoreless across the first 5:42 of the period, while the Red Leafs would take advantage of MSUB's cold stretch with a 12-0 run to take back the lead. MSUB would begin to righten the ship late, evening the game up multiple times, but a pair of late threes to end the half would give Simon Fraser a 34-28 lead at halftime.
 
MSUB would begin to battle back offensively following their second quarter struggles, recovering to shoot 46.7% (7-15) in the third quarter. But the Red Leaf's offense would remain just as efficient as the second half began, outscoring MSUB 26-18 and extending their lead to double-digits as the contest marched along into the fourth quarter. With time running out to mount a comeback, the Yellowjackets would continue to fight to find a way to get back into the game, but Simon Fraser would have an answer at every turn, holding on to see off the home team in the final ten minutes and collect a win on the road.
 
THE BUZZ: Momberg was named the Intermountain Health Player of the Game… through 11 games on the season, the junior transfer leads MSUB in scoring at 10.4 points per game, while tying for the team lead in assists with Brennan at 24… after outrebounding the Red Leafs 41-40, MSUB has outrebounded opponents in all but two games this season, beating teams on the boards by an average of 4.4 per game.
 
UP NEXT: MSUB will play its final game of 2025 in Alterowitz Gym next Saturday, December 13 as the team looks to return to the win column against Lethbridge Polytechnic. Tipoff is scheduled for 4 PM, with live video available on the GNAC Network. Live video will be available here, and live statistics available here. Tickets are available for purchase online here.