Fourth quarter woes lead to 66-54 loss at Concordia

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Birgitta Gray O: (406) 896-5917 E: birgitta.gray@msubillings.edu February 11, 2017 Fourth quarter woes lead to 66-54 loss at Concordia MSUB Women’s Basketball on Facebook | MSUB Women’s Basketball on ISSUU | Interactive Box Score

Marissa Van Atta had 12 points and eight rebounds at Concordia Portland.

Heading into the fourth quarter, MSUB looked to be in good shape before a big scoring surge from the Cavaliers drops the Yellowjackets in Portland.

PORTLAND, Ore. –MSUB led by 11 at the end of the third quarter, but a huge 27-point fourth quarter explosion from the Cavaliers dropped the Yellowjackets 66-54 in a Great Northwest Athletic Conference road game at Concordia Portland Saturday.

“We played very strong in the first and third quarters,” MSUB head coach Kevin Woodin said. “I really liked how we started the game defensively; we were locked in and also able to make some shots early. Give Concordia credit though, they rebounded in the second quarter and I felt good to be up at half time.”

“We played an excellent third quarter,” Woodin continued. “Unfortunately, our shots would not fall in the fourth quarter and I give Concordia a lot of credit in the final 10 minutes. I am proud of our players. They competed hard, we just needed to make more shots consistently in the final minutes of the game.”

A 3-pointer from Rylee Kane had the Yellowjackets up 47-36 with 2:50 left in the third quarter. A free-throw from CU’s Jordyn Peacock set off a 10-0 scoring run from the Cavalier’s that cut the deficit to one. This time it was a 3-pointer from Marissa Van Atta that pulled the ‘Jackets back up by four. The Cavaliers mounted a second response with eight straight points ended on a free-throw from Briannah Smith that gave Concordia Portland the lead at 54-50 that the Cav’s held onto the rest of the game.

Free-throws were the points of the game as CU stepped to the line 14 times in the last 4:27 of the contest after only shooting six in the first 35:33 of the game.

After shooting 53.8 percent in the opening half, MSUB dropped to 22.2 percent in the back half. For the game, the ‘Jackets were 36.1 percent from the field, 4 of 22 from outside (18.2 percent) and 6 of 8 from the free-throw line (75.0 percent).

For the second straight contest, Tiana Hanson posted a double-double. On the night, the senior had 18 points and 11 rebounds. Van Atta shot 5 for 9 from the field finishing with 12 points and eight rebounds. RKane had seven points and seven assists. Grace Weeks had eight points and five rebounds.

MSU Billings committed an uncharacteristic 18 turnovers which CU was able to convert to 18 points. MSUB led in rebounds 38-34, including a 14-9 differential on the offensive glass.

Concordia Portland was led off the bench by 15 points from Kizzah Maltezo, including a game-high three 3-pointers.

Peacock (11), Smith (11), and Danielle Hartzog (10) also had double-digit points.

The win improves Concordia Portland to 10-14 on the year and 7-9 in the GNAC. MSU Billings falls to 8-16 and 5-11.

MSU Billings jumped out to an opening first quarter lead of 23-11. A steal and fast break layup from Kane followed by a Van Atta defensive rebound led to a 3-pointer from Brina Hull for the 12-point lead.

The Cavaliers punched back with a 7-0 at the start of the second quarter to close the gap to five. A 3-pointer from Maltezo tied the game at 27. Back-to-back buckets from Kane and Hanson gave the Yellowjackets the 4-point lead at the break.

The Yellowjackets ramped their lead back up to 11 with a 12-0 run in the middle of the third quarter. Hanson and Weeks both scored four and Kane finished the run on a 3-pointer after a Hanson rebound.

The Cavaliers began to chip away at the lead. Hartzog supplied the first five points of the fourth quarter and Maltezo drove to the basket for a layup. Peacock’s layup pushed the CU points over 50 providing the last lead of the game for the Cavaliers.

THE BUZZ: With the loss, the Yellowjackets split the season series with the Cavaliers and are now 1-3 overall against Concordia Portland…Van Atta was selected the St. Vincent Healthcare Player of the Game.

UP NEXT: MSU Billings returns home to close out the regular season with four straight GNAC games. On Thursday, Feb. 16, the Yellowjackets are set for the 11th annual Think Pink Night at Alterowitz. During the doubleheader night, all women will be admitted free to the special evening. The MSUB men’s team kicks of the action with a 5:15 p.m. game against Seattle Pacific followed by a 7:30 p.m. Yellowjacket women’s game against Western Washington. Raffle tickets and t-shirts will be available for sale during the night’s games with all profits benefitting the St. Vincent Healthcare’s EVA

Project. Fans are encouraged to wear pink in support of breast cancer awareness. On Saturday, Feb. 18, the MSUB women’s team has the early game with a 5:15 p.m. tip-off against Simon Fraser, followed by the Yellowjacket men’s Senior Night as MSUB hosts Saint Martin’s at 7:30 p.m.

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