FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Birgitta Gray O: (406) 896-5917 E: birgitta.gray@msubillings.edu November 12, 2016 Fourth quarter surge too much for ‘Jackets in 77-72 loss at Cal State San Marcos MSUB Women’s Basketball on Facebook | MSUB Women’s Basketball on ISSUU | Box Score
Senior Tiana Hanson posted a career-high 24 points, shooting 10-11 from the free-throw line in the loss to CSUSM.
A fourth quarter surge from Cal State San Marcos proves too much to handle as the MSUB women’s basketball team ends their opening tournament 0-2 with a 77-22 loss to the host Cougars. SAN MARCOS, Calif. – After holding the lead through three quarters, a fourth quarter 31-22 surge proves too much as the MSUB women’s basketball team falls to host Cal State San Marcos, 77-72, Saturday during the opening season tournament for the Yellowjackets. The loss drops MSU Billings to 0-2 on the season as the ‘Jackets fell in both opening games at the Cal State San Marcos Hoops Classic at The Sports Center. Host CSUSM improve to 1-1 on the year after the opening weekend of competition. “I liked our effort tonight,” MSUB head coach Kevin Woodin. “Through the first three quarters we battled hard. We won the first two quarters in a close game and they were able to take the lead in the fourth quarter, but we came right back at them. I think the last minute in the third quarter when they cut into our lead was critical. Overall, we are working with a lot of new players that are learning to play together. I look forward to finishing out our trip to California with the game on Monday against Point Loma.”
MSUB outscored San Marcos 16-14 in both opening quarters to take a 32-28 lead into the locker room. The Yellowjackets drove out to their largest lead of the night on a layup from Tiana Hanson for a 47-39 advantage with 3:19 left in the third quarter. Raegan Lillie kicked-off the comeback for the Cougars, scoring four straight points to drop the deficit down to four. MSUB’s Marissa Van Atta earned a free-throw and jump shot to pull the ‘Jackets back ahead, but Lillie remained tough, scoring five straight points to cut the lead down to one point. Hanson claimed a jumper and Grace Weeks a free-throw. Into the fourth quarter, a layup by CSUSM’s Monica Fried gave the Cougars the lead at 55-54 and a 3-pointer from Savanah Camp capped a 15-4 scoring run that drove the Cougars ahead by seven, 64-57, with 4:34 remaining in the game. Hanson continued to add points from the paint and the free-throw line, but Cal State San Marcos remained in control down the stretch. MSUB’s Lexi Prevost added a 3-point basket in the final minute, but a free-throw from CSUSM’s Ashley Jenkins sealed the game with one second remaining. For the Yellowjackets, Hanson posted a career-high 24 points and was instrumental in all areas. The senior was 7-15 from the field and 10-11 from the free-throw line. Hanson grabbed six rebounds and made three assists playing 33 minutes on the floor for the ‘Jackets. For the second straight night, junior Rylee Kane topped her career-best, improving her scoring record to 17 points as the point guard was 5-10 in the game, and an impressive 3-3 from the 3-point arc. Kane added four free-throws, five assists, and four rebounds in her time on the floor. Van Atta scored 14 points and Weeks 10 to finish the double-digit figures for the ‘Jackets. Weeks led MSUB with seven rebounds. Both teams were even from the field, shooting a similar 46 percent. The Cougars converted nine 3-point shots while MSUB finished with five. From the free-throw line, MSUB was 17-23 (73.9 percent) with CSUSM finishing 22-33 (66.7 percent). Off the glass, MSUB registered more rebounds, 34-26. Lillie and Camp both finished with 15 points for CSUSM. Jenkins had seven assists. After opening the game down two points, MSUB’s Taylor Cunningham drew contact driving to the basket making 1-2 at the free-throw line for a 12-9 lead. The Cougars hit a 3-point basket after a rebound to tie the score. Hanson gave MSUB the lead back after sinking a pair of free-throws. Hanson ended the opening 10 minutes finishing her sixth straight freethrow to put the ‘Jacket ahead 16-14. The Cougars rallied in the second quarter on a 3-pointer from Camp. Kane brought it within one, 21-20, after dribbling up the floor and finishing with a stop and 3-point bucket from the top of the arc. MSUB’s Taylor Edwards grabbed a defensive rebound and passed to Kane who found Weeks under the basket for a layup. More movement from Hanson in the interior, provided another chance for the junior at the free-throw line. Making both, Hanson finished up a 9-0 run from MSUB to push the Yellowjackets ahead 26-21, with 4:30 left in the first half.
A jumper from Hanson pulled the lead to seven, 32-25. A 3-pointer from CSUSM’s Lee Armenta dropped the deficit to four points at the half. After the break, Lupe Cruz tied the game at 39 with a dribble and drive to the basket for the Cougars. Edwards missed a layup, but grabbed her own rebound, fighting for the ball on the floor. She passed it out to Kane who went in for a layup and was fouled. Sinking both of her free-throws Kane put the ‘Jackets ahead by two. Hanson earned two more points with an offensive board and put-back. The Cougars earned the lead back with a 6-1 scoring run to move ahead 55-54. Armenta used her fourth 3-pointer of the night to give the Cougars a 7-point advantage, 64-57, with 4:31 left in the game. Kane made a layup to bring it down to a two possession game, but every basket from MSUB was countered with one from the Cougars as CSUSM held on its lead for the final four minutes. THE BUZZ: Hanson broke her career-high of 16 points which she completed last year against conference opponent Concordia (Ore.)…Kane broke her previous career-high of 16 points which she completed last night against UC San Diego …MSUB is now 0-1 against Cal State San Marcos as this was the first meeting between the two teams… Hanson named the St. Vincent Healthcare Athlete of the Game. UP NEXT: MSUB has one more game in the opening season trip to California. The Yellowjackets will face Point Loma on Monday, Nov. 14 at 7 p.m. PST. --@MSUBSports | #JacketNation--