FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Birgitta Gray O: (406) 896-5917 E: birgitta.gray@msubillings.edu January 17, 2017 ‘Jackets begin 4 game road stretch MSUB Women’s Basketball on Facebook | MSUB Women’s Basketball on ISSUU | GNAC Standings Preview Interviews with Rylee Kane and head coach Kevin Woodin
The MSUB Yellowjackets begin the toughest part of their season’s schedule with four GNAC road games.
The reigning GNAC team of the week begins the toughest part of their 2016-17 schedule with a stretch of four conference road games. BILLINGS, Mont. – The MSUB women’s basketball team begins the toughest part of their 2016-17 schedule this week with a span of four road games, including a consecutive stretch against the top-3 teams in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference. After putting together back-to-back conference wins for the first time this season, the Yellowjackets were selected as the GNAC/Red Lion Team of the Week. Against Concordia Portland, MSUB let a double-digit lead slip away in the second half before recovering in the final three minutes for the four-point win. In the game, the Yellowjackets were 23 for 24 from the free-throw line for a program second best all-time 95.8 percent. In the 74-67 win over Western Oregon, MSUB had to withstand an assault from the 3-point arc as the Wolves finished 15 of 31 attempts. The ‘Jackets were again strong from the free-throw line at 13 for 16 with the game’s difference coming
in turnovers. MSUB forced 20 miscues on WOU, converting those to 25 points. MSU Billings also tied their season high in the paint at 36 points. The Yellowjackets will need to lean on their success from last week and build on lessons learned in defense and shot selection as MSUB makes the trek to three of the top teams in the conference. “I am proud of them for the improvements they have made over the last few weeks,” MSUB head coach Kevin Woodin said on the team. “Hopefully they can keep working hard and continue to take a step forward. There is going to be some jockeying for position late in the season and for a team in the middle of the pack, one of them could break through with a win against a top team. This week we will hope for the best and we are excited for the opportunity.” ROAD WARRIORS: The Yellowjackets took care of business last week, defeating both home conference opponents. Now MSUB will finish out the month of January on the road as 6 of 8 games will be contested away from Alterowitz. The next two weeks may be the toughest stretch in the conference this year as the ‘Jackets have to make back-to-back road trips against the top teams in the GNAC. SENIOR LEADERSHIP: As the one active senior on the roster, Tiana Hanson has become an instrumental leader for the Yellowjacket squad. The 6-foot forward from Shepherd, Mont., is fourth in the GNAC in points with 16.3 per game and fifth in rebounds at 6.9. Hanson is shooting better than 80.0 percent from the free-throw line and is third in the conference in blocked shots with 1.2 per game. From the free-throw line last week, Hanson was a perfect 19 for 19. She also shot better than 40.0 percent in both games from the field, finishing with 39 points and 18 rebounds. FLOOR GENERAL: Junior point guard Rylee Kane continued her double-digit scoring streak finishing with 17 points in the game against CU and a career-high 25 against WOU. She also shot 50.0 percent from the field, making 12 of 24 in the game against Western Oregon. For the week, Kane led the GNAC in points at 42, adding-in nine assists and eight rebounds. The native of Red Lodge, Mont., is averaging 11.8 points and a conference third-best 5.7 assist per game. VAN ATTA DOWN THE STRETCH: In the game against Concordia Portland, Marissa Van Atta forced a crucial steal against the Cavaliers with three minutes remaining, adding-in a free-throw to the tie the game. A minute later on an inbounds pass, Van Atta made good on a jumper with one second left on the shot clock. The junior poured-in 17 points with four rebounds and four steals. Van Atta was also part of the historic night at the free-throw line sinking 5 for 5. She is averaging 8.9 points and 3.8 rebounds per game. STARTING ROLE: Lexi Prevost finished last week with 17 points, seven assists, and five rebounds. The junior guard played a season-high 33 minutes for MSUB against WOU and finished with her second double-digit point total of the year at 10. Prevost also led the team in assists with five and completed two 3-point baskets. Grace Weeks ended the week with 11 points and 12 rebounds. The junior is averaging 6.4 points and 3.3 rebounds per game. MSUB RESERVES: The Yellowjacket bench came through with quality minutes in both games at home. Brina Hull had eight points and Taylor Cunningham three. In the game against WOU, Jeanann Lemelin provided minutes that included taking a charge. Sophia Wass had a block and also took a charge for the Yellowjackets. BY THE NUMBERS: MSUB is averaging 60.4 points per game on 37.9 percent shooting. The team is 28.8f percent from outside with 29.4 rebounds per game. In their last game, MSUB forced 20 turnovers on WOU while limiting their own to seven. Thursday, Jan. 19 – at Simon Fraser University the Clan– 8:30 p.m. Mountain time
West Gym | Burnaby, B.C. | Live Stats | Live Video | 2016-17 Record: 16-2, 7-1 GNAC Head Coach: Bruce Langford, 16th season 2015-16 Record: 16-11, 13-7 GNAC, 4th Since opening conference competition with a 75-59 loss to Alaska Anchorage, the Clan has rolled off seven straight GNAC wins and is tied for second in the conference with Western Washington at 7-1. Simon Fraser and the Vikings have a showdown in Burnaby on Tuesday to determine sole position of the second-place spot. Returning to the team after redshirting last season is 6-foot-1 forward Meg Wilson. The senior is seventh in the GNAC in points at 13.9 and eighth in rebounding at 5.9. Wilson was awarded GNAC Player of the Week honors for SFU’s wins over nationally-ranked Seattle Pacific and Saint Martin’s. She posted 25 points with 12 rebounds and 12 assists. Fellow senior Ellen Kett leads the GNAC with 7.1 assists with 12 points per game. The point guard earned GNAC Player of the Week accolades just before Wilson. Kett is second in the GNAC in 3-point percentage at 42.9 percent and ninth in in free-throw percentage (81.4 percent). Just behind Kett in points is junior Elisa Homer at 11.8 per game. Homer is also just behind Kett in 3-point baskets with 2.2 per game on a 35.4 percent average. The Clan are second in the league in 3-point field goals made at 7.3 per game. Simon Fraser is averaging 74.4 points per game for fourth in the GNAC. All-Time Record (8-7, 2-4 Away): MSUB has an almost even overall record with Simon Fraser and has split the last two seasons against the Clan. Last Season: MSUB won at home by five, 67-62, and lost on a pair of free-throws, 63-61, with .5 seconds left on the clock. Last season in Burnaby, the ‘Jackets made-up a 16-point deficit to take the lead in the fourth quarter. The two teams were tied for the final two minutes. A last minute drive at the buzzer by SFU resulted in a trip to the free-throw line and senior Alisha Roberts finished both shots to give the Clan the win. Saturday, Jan. 21 – at Western Washington University Vikings – 4:00 p.m. Mountain time Whatcom Community College| Bellingham, WA | Live Stats | Live Video 2016-17 Record: 13-3, 7-1 GNAC Head Coach: Carmen Dolfo, 26th season 2015-16 Record: 20-9, 16-4 GNAC, 2nd Western Washington is also riding a seven game win-streak. The Vikings lost a one-point game to Angelo State, 69-68, at the South Point Holiday Hoops Classic just after falling 80-69 to Alaska Anchorage in conference action. WWU is averaging a 17.4-point win margin against their opponents. Senior Taylor Peacocke leads the GNAC and the nation in points at 22.4 per game. She has scored better than 18 points in 14 of 16 games this season. The point guard is eighth in the GNAC in free-throw percentage at 82.9 percent and leads the conference in attempts, making 92 of 111. Kiana Gandy is adding 13.2 points and Tia Briggs 11.4 to the WWU offense. Gandy is second in the GNAC in free-throw percentage at 88.4 percent while Briggs is fourth in rebounds at 6.9 per game.
The Vikings are averaging 78.4 points per game on a conference-leading 46.1 percent shooting percentage. The Vikings are second in the conference from the free-throw line at 78.7 percent. All-Time Record (15-20, 4-12 Away): In overall record, MSUB has a deficit of five games, 15-20. The Vikings are strong at home with MSUB winning just four in 16 total games in Bellingham. Last Season: MSUB won all three games against Western Washington. The Yellowjackets won at home, 53-47, in Bellingham, 48-46, and at the GNAC tournament in the semifinal game, 78-60. --@MSUBSports | #JacketNation--