FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Birgitta Gray O: (406) 896-5917 E: birgitta.gray@msubillings.edu December 27, 2016 ‘Jackets begin home conference schedule with Alaska schools MSUB Women’s Basketball on Facebook | MSUB Women’s Basketball on ISSUU | GNAC Standings Preview Interviews with Tiana Hanson and Sophia Wass
MSUB women’s basketball returns to GNAC competition hosting both Alaska schools at Alterowitz.
Returning to conference action after a three-week hiatus, the MSUB women’s basketball team is hosting Alaska and No. 8 Alaska Anchorage for a pair of GNAC games at home. BILLINGS, Mont. – The Yellowjackets return to conference action this week hosting Great Northwest Athletic Conference opponents Alaska on Thursday, Dec. 29 at 7 p.m., followed by a New Year’s Eve game against No. 8 Alaska Anchorage on Saturday, Dec. 31 at 5 p.m. MSU Billings (4-6, 1-1 GNAC) opened its 2016-17 GNAC campaign with a split on the road. The Yellowjackets lost to Northwest Nazarene in their first game, but picked-up a win at Central Washington. The week before break, MSUB defeated Rocky Mountain College in a non-conference match-up. Both games at home this week will feature live video with commentary and statistics through MSUB’s Stretch Internet Portal here. Thursday’s game against Alaska will also be broadcast live on ESPN Radio 910 KBLG locally in Billings, and on the web at www.espn910.com .
“I want us to play a complete game on Thursday,” MSUB head coach Kevin Woodin commented on the upcoming contest against Alaska. “I believe our team has played well in stretches, but I would like to see us play well on both ends for an entire game. We are a bit healthier after the break which should also help our rotations. I believe we have improved on our defensive rebounding and shot selection as well.” ROAD WARRIORS: The Yellowjackets played seven of their opening nine regular-season games on the road, including the first week of conference action earning a 1-1 split. MSUB has won the last 4 of 6 games, including a 68-65 win over Rocky Mountain College on Dec. 17. SENIOR LEADERSHIP: Tiana Hanson, the lone senior on the MSUB active roster, leads the team in points at 16.9 per game which is fourth in the GNAC. She is also ninth in the conference in rebounds per game at 5.9 and is 11th in freethrow percentage at 82.4 percent (56-68). The forward from Shepherd, Mont., is also third in the league in blocked shots with 1.1 per game. FLOOR GENERAL: Junior point guard Rylee Kane is averaging double-figures with 10.8 points per game. Kane is third in the GNAC in assists at 6.2 per game and 12th in steals at 1.9. The native of Red Lodge, Mont., scored 16 points and made seven assists in the win over Rocky. She moved into the seventh spot at MSUB all-time in career assists two weeks ago and is set to surpass the 300-mark, sitting at a current total of 296. “Both Rylee and Tiana have been very consistent for us,” Woodin said. “I also see that our team really likes to play with one another. They are young and inexperienced, so we have to do a lot of on-the-job training, but I think our players are getting better and our team is focused on playing well in January.” ENERGIZED EDWARDS: Sophomore Taylor Edwards has made a big leap in contributions for the team in her second season. From Great Falls, Mont., Edwards has poured-in double-digit points in the last three-games and is now averaging 10.4 per contest which moves her into the GNAC’s top-20. Edwards is also third in the conference at the free-throw line shooting 89.5 percent (17 for 19) and sixth in 3-point shots at 1.7 per game. FROM THE OUTSIDE: The Yellowjackets have the fourth-best team total in conference 3-pointers at 62. Junior Lexi Prevost is ninth in the league in 3-point percentage at 42.9 percent. Edwards (1.7pg), Prevost (1.5pg), Marissa Van Atta (.9pg) and Brina Hull (.8pg) are all listed in the GNAC’s top-30 in 3-point shots made per game. FRESHMAN FRENZY: Taylor Cunningham has moved to fourth on the team in rebounds per game at 3.6. She has also entered the top-30 in conference offensive rebounds (1.7pg). BY THE NUMBERS: MSUB is averaging 61.9 points per game on 37.9 percent shooting. The team is 32.3 percent from outside with 28.8 rebounds per game. On being at home for the week, both players and coaching staff are looking forward to returning to competition at Alterowitz. “In order to be a top team in this league, you have to protect your home court,” Woodin said. “Both Alaska teams play fast and they challenge you one-on-one. You have to take pride in your defensive assignment and you have to want to compete. Travel distances are so great and challenging so winning at home is of the utmost important. This week we need to set good screens and find ways to get extra shots. Our shooting percentage continues to climb, but we also need to make the most of our in-paint opportunities.” Thursday, Dec. 29 – vs. Alaska Nanooks – 7 p.m. Billings, MT | Live Stats | Live Video | Live Radio
2016-17 Record: 4-6, 0-3 GNAC Head Coach: Cody Bench, 4th season 2015-16 Record: 12-18, 7-13 GNAC, 8th Alaska returns four of its top-5 leading scorers from last season to a team picked to finish ninth in the preseason coaches’ poll. Alaska had some good west region wins early against Academy of Art, Cal State L.A., and Stanislaus State, but played the top-3 teams in the GNAC to open its conference season. The Nanooks took a hard loss to Western Washington at home, 100-54, but rallied and fell by just two points to Simon Fraser, 79-77. Before the break, Alaska also took a loss to Alaska Anchorage. Alaska returns four of its top-5 scorers including seniors Jordan Wilson and Kailee Skjold. Alaska is fifth in the league in offense scoring 70.6 points per game and if fourth in the league in shooting percentage at 43.6 percent. The Nanooks lead the GNAC from the free-throw line, shooting at an 85.1 percent clip (154-181). Wilson is posting a conference second-best 22.1 points per game and is seventh in rebounding with 6.0. Skjold is sixth in offensive production at 14.4 points and is second in the GNAC in rebounds with 8.5 per game. Senior guard Victoria Milton is fourth in the GNAC in assists at 5.0 per game. All-Time Record (51-12, 26-2 Home): MSU Billings holds a large overall win record against the Nanooks. The Yellowjackets have lost just two games at home to Alaska. Last Season: MSUB won the series against Alaska, defeating the Nanooks in a close battle on the road 59-55, and winning by a more comfortable margin at home, 72-46, for the second game. Saturday, Dec. 31 – vs University of Alaska Anchorage Seawolves – 5 p.m. Billings, MT | Live Stats | Live Video 2016-17 Record: 10-1. 3-0 GNAC Head Coach: Ryan McCarthy, 5th season 2015-16 Record: 38-3, 18-2 GNAC, 1st Picked to finish third in the preseason coaches’ poll a season after playing for the national championship, Alaska Anchorage is showing early why they will be a threat to claim another conference title and make a run deep in the postseason. The No. 8 Seawolves have one loss on their record to NCAA Division I Portland 66-57. In the opening week of GNAC action, Alaska Anchorage took care of business, defeating both team’s ranked higher in the preseason poll in Simon Fraser (75-59), and Western Washington (80-69). UAA leads the league in points (82.3ppg) and is second in holding opponents (50.0 ppg). The Seawolves reloaded their roster after the loss of seven seniors from last year’s squad, and have continued their mayhem style of play. Senior point guard Kiki Robertson leads the GNAC in steals at 3.4 per game and is second in the GNAC in assists (6.4pg). Freshman guard Yazmeen Goo is second in the conference in assist/turnover ratio at 2.7 and is fifth in steals with 2.5 per game.
Senior transfer Autumn Williams from DI Arkansas Little Rock leads the team and is third in the GNAC in points scored per game with 18.1 while shooting a conference fifth-best 54.7 percent from the field. She is also GNAC top-10 in assists with 3.5 per game and third in steals at 2.6. From the perimeter, UAA leads the GNAC in shooting percentage at 37.4 percent Sophomore Tara Thompson leads the GNAC in total 3-pointers at 28 and is second in 3-point shooting percentage at 48.3 percent. Junior Sierra Afoa leads the team in rebounds with 4.7 per game and senior Alysha Devine is second at 4.5. All-Time Record (26-30, 15-12 Home): MSUB has played against Alaska Anchorage 56 times in their history with UAA holding a 4-game advantage. At home, MSUB is 15-12. The Yellowjackets have lost the last five straight games to the Seawolves. Last Season: Last season MSUB lost both regular season games to UAA by double-digit points. The two teams last played each other for the GNAC tournament championship when the Seawolves won the title by defeating the Yellowjackets 77-57. --@MSUBSports | #JacketNation--