‘Jackets in California for west region tilts

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Birgitta Gray O: (406) 896-5917 E: birgitta.gray@msubillings.edu November 18, 2015 ‘Jackets in California for west region tilts MSUB Women’s Basketball on Facebook MSUB Women’s Basketball on ISSUU Interviews with juniors Alisha Breen and Tiana Hanson, and head coach Kevin Woodin

Junior Tiana Hanson and the Yellowjackets will play two games in California this week.

After hosting the GNAC/PacWest Yellowjacket Challenge, this week MSU Billings flies to California for two tough west region contests.

BILLINGS, Mont. – After hosting the GNAC/PacWest Yellowjacket Challenge last week and playing games against No. 3 California Baptist and regional power Academy of Art, this week MSUB is headed for California for two more tough west region contests.

The Yellowjackets opened their 2015-16 season with No. 3 Cal Baptist. MSU Billings (0-2) led 32-30 at half-time before the ‘Jackets went cold in the second half and the Lancers built up a double-digit lead. Against Academy of Art, the game came down to the last seconds with the Urban Knights making their final shot at the buzzer for the two-point 69-67 win.

BREEN BEGINS WITH A BANG: Forward Alisha Breen started her junior campaign with a bang. The 5’10” native of Choteau, Mont., had 15 points and eight rebounds, three treys, and three steals in the game against Cal Baptist. She followed that up with a career-high 37 points, nine rebounds, and five steals against Academy of Art. Breen was also 19-21 from the freethrow line in that game, surpassing the previous MSUB record of 16 set by Shelley Altrogge from 1990. For her performances, Breen was awarded all-tournament honors and was named the opening GNAC Player of the Week for the 2015-16 season.

GRIMSRUD GROWING INTO CAPTAINSHIP: Senior Monica Grimsrud dialed-in for 23 points last week. The forward landed a team-high four 3-point buckets and was second in assists with six. After spending the last four seasons a dual volleyball-basketball athlete, with only basketball on her plate this year, the native of Montana City, Mon., looks refreshed and in her final collegiate season, fully focused on the court.

AT THE POINT: Sophomore Rylee Kane returns to the court an experienced veteran. Last week, the point guard finished with a team-high 10 assists while contributing 10 points in the game against Academy of Art.

Sophomore Marissa Van Atta

FROM THE BENCH: During the game against Cal Baptist, the MSUB bench kicked in 12 points and 12 rebounds.

Sophomore Vanessa Stavish led the charge with five points and five rebounds. In 22 minutes of playing time, sophomore Marissa Van Atta contributed four rebounds, a team-high three assists, and a steal.

Friday, Nov. 20 – 7:00 p.m. Pacific time Cal Poly Pomona University Broncos Live Stats Live Video Head Coach: Danielle Bishop, 6th 2015-16 record 0-2 MSU Billings is returning to Pomona, Calif., for the first time since the Yellowjackets lost a close battle to Cal Poly Pomona for the NCAA west region championship two year ago. During that campaign, CPP advanced to the NCAA Elite Eight semi-finals before losing out to No. 1 Bently 77-62.

Last season, Cal Poly Pomona lost the NCAA west region title game to Cal Baptist 81-58.

This year, the Broncos have a very young roster with just one senior and two juniors to go along with seven underclassmen. CPP lost its two opening home games at the CCAA/PacWest Challenge; first to Azusa Pacific 70-44, and then to Point Loma 72-54.

In two early games, the Broncos are still working on their lineup. Freshman Jordyn Shane is the team’s leading scorer.

She has 21 points on 37.5 percent shooting. Behind her are sophomores Alyssa Benton (18 points, 54.5 percent shooting) and Priscilla Brooks (17 points, 31.8 percent).

Brooks has been the team’s leading rebounder and has 22 on the season. Shane has six assists (and seven turnovers).

As a team, the Broncos are shooting 34.3 percent (34-99) from the field and 37.5 percent (9-24) from the 3-point arc.

The Series: MSUB is 1-6 all-time against Cal Poly Pomona and 0-5 in Pomona, Calif.

Saturday, Nov. 21 – 6:00 p.m. Pacific time Cal State San Bernardino Coyotes Live Stats Head Coach: Susan Crebbin, 1st season 2015-16 record: 0-0 Out of the teams from the California Collegiate Athletic Associate, Cal State San Bernardino has yet to play an official game. The Coyotes did have an exhibition contest against NCAA Division I Loyola Marymount which they lost 64-59.

Last season, CSUSB advanced to the CCAA tournament posting a 69-58 win against UC San Diego before losing in the semi-finals 69-66 in overtime to Cal State Dominguez Hills. The team finished 19-9 on the year and 14-8 in their league.

According to the season preview from the sports information department at Cal State San Bernardino, the Coyotes are returning 91.7 percent of their scoring from last season.

They have four big returning players in all-CCAA senior guard Alexcia Mark, all-CCAA second-team Chelsea Barnes who averaged 12.8 points per game last season, and all-CCAA second-team Brianna Harden who finished second in the conference in double-doubles averaging 12 points and nine rebounds per game.

The quartet is completed by all-CCAA honorable mention Adriana Brodie who averaged 7.4 rebounds last season and is also effective in her shooting skills.

While Cal State San Bernardino picked up a new coach in the offseason, Susan Crebbin is no stranger to the area. She was the head coach at San Bernardino Valley College for 10 years finishing with a 112-22 record in conference contests.

Although the Coyotes have yet to play a counting game this season, Crebbin’s roster is extremely top-heavy with seven seniors and five juniors, to two sophomores and just one freshman. Cal State San Bernardino will play Simon Fraser on Friday in Pomona, Calif., to open the year before hosting MSU Billings at home on Saturday.

The Series: This is the first meeting between Cal State San Bernardino and MSU Billings.

There will be a live statistics and a live video feed for the game against Cal Poly Pomona. Live Stats Live Video There will be live statistics for the game against San Bernardino, but no live video. Live Stats --@MSUBSports | #JacketNation--