FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Birgitta Gray O: (406) 896-5917 E: birgitta.gray@msubillings.edu December 17, 2016 ‘Jackets come out on top against rival Rocky, 68-65 MSUB Women’s Basketball on Facebook | MSUB Women’s Basketball on ISSUU | Box Score Post Game Interview with junior Rylee Kane and Head Coach Kevin Woodin
Rylee Kane hit a buzzer-beater at the end of the third quarter as MSUB defeated Rocky 68-65 at Alterowitz.
The Yellowjackets put together a total team effort, defeating rival Rocky Mountain College, 68-65, at Alterowitz in the final MSUB women’s basketball game before the winter break. BILLINGS, Mont. – MSUB was strong from the 3-point arc and outrebounded rival Rocky Mountain College as the Yellowjackets defeated the Battlin’ Bears in a non-conference game, 68-65, at Alterowitz Saturday. Tiana Hanson was 8-14 on the night for 21 points, Taylor Edwards contributed 14 points, a team-high seven rebounds and three steals, and Rylee Kane ended with 16 points and seven assists as the Yellowjackets held on down the stretch for the win. MSU Billings led by six after the opening 10 minutes, 16-10, but Rocky Mountain College rebounded, winning the second quarter by six as the two teams went into the break tied at 30. Both teams engaged in short runs in the third quarter. Kane hit a buzzer-beating 3-pointer to keep the game tied at 51 at the end of the period. She drove into the key on
consecutive points, earning five straight points for MSUB to put the ‘Jackets head by five. With under two minutes, Hanson missed an offensive rebound, but went to the foul line draining her fourth free-throw of the game. With under a minute remaining, Edwards stepped-up, making four consecutive free-throws to ice the game for MSUB. A layup from RMC’s Justyn Juhl dropped the deficit to four. On the inbounds play, Hanson grabbed the ball and was fouled for the final Yellowjacket points of the night. For the game, MSUB shot 23-58 for 39.7 percent. The Yellowjackets were 8-19 from the 3-point arc. Edwards hit three 3point shots, Lexi Prevost and Kane both had two each. MSUB was 14-20 from the free-throw line. The ‘Jackets outrebounded RMC 33-31. Hanson and Grace Weeks both had three offensive rebounds for MSUB. Keisha Engelhardt (14 points), Hailee Farstveet (12 points), and Justyn Juhl (12) all finished in the double-figures for RMC. Alecia Chamberlain had seven rebounds. The Battlin’ Bears shot 38.1 percent (24-64) from the field. MSUB held Rocky to 3-19 from the 3-point arc. “It was a great team win for us tonight and I was really happy for our players,” MSUB head coach Kevin Woodin said. “They dedicated their performance to Vanessa and her family and it was sure nice to come out on top especially being our last game before the break.” “I like how we started the first quarter,” Woodin continued. “I liked how Lexi started us off offensively. I thought our players shared the ball well in the first half. Give Rocky credit, they chipped away at the lead in the second quarter and they really hurt us on the boards. In the third quarter, both teams were playing well, it was fun to see a lot of players making their shots. I was really happy with how we played down the stretch. Taylor made her shots and was good at the line. Tiana was solid, making a lot of baskets when we needed them. Rylee was a great floor general. We also rebounded the ball better in the second half.” Baskets from Hanson and a 3-pointer from Prevost broke a 2-2 tie providing the Yellowjackets with an opening 7-2 lead. A 3-pointer from Engelhardt drew the deficit down to two. Prevost found Weeks just inside the key for a short jumper. Hanson went to the free-throw line for the first time in the game just inside the second quarter drawing out the MSUB lead to 17-10. The Battlin’ Bears responded with an 8-1 run finished by four free-throws from Farstveet. Edwards hit back-to-back 3-pointers that drew the lead back to five, 24-19, with six minutes remaining in the first half. Kane made a nice baseline move to free herself from the defense for a contested layup. Marissa Van Atta earned two free-throws to send the score above 30. RMC fought for a loose ball, converting the possession into free-throws from Juhl. Farstveet closed the gap, tying the game at 30 with a jump shot. Rocky took its first lead of the game after the break on a 3-point play from Chamberlin. Edwards’ third 3-pointer of the game put MSUB back ahead 38-37. Kane kept the Yellowjacket offensive rolling with her second 3-point basket. Weeks found her way onto the scoreboard with an offensive rebound and put-back. Eboney Jackson helped the Battlin’ Bears earn the lead, finishing a run of five straight points. Hanson fired home MSUB’s seventh 3-pointer of the game to put MSUB one-point back, 49-48. Rocky looked like they would hold the lead at the third quarter, but a buzzer-beating 3-pointer from Kane kept the teams locked at 51. Weeks fought for two points inside to push the ‘Jackets ahead 58-55. Kane was instrumental down the stretch. The point guard went to the foul line on two straight possessions and fought for a jump shot to push the Yellowjacket lead to five, 61-56. Jones collected a steal and layup for Rocky. Hanson drove to the rim, missing her shot, but headed to the free-
throw line, finishing one shot for 62-58 with a minute left. Kane grabbed a defensive rebound after a missed 3-point from the Battlin’ Bears. Edwards was fouled on two straight MSUB possessions, icing the game by making all four freethrows. The guard from Great Falls, Mont., finished 5-6 from the free-throw line for MSUB. Hanson earned the final two points for the Yellowjackets. THE BUZZ: MSUB improves to 4-6 on the season, while Rocky falls to 7-5…Edwards named the St. Vincent Healthcare Player of the Game…MSUB limited their turnovers to single digits at nine…the Yellowjackets had 10 points for their bench…Kane was just one off her career record of 17 points…Edwards tied her career-high of seven rebounds. UP NEXT: MSUB returns to Great Northwest Athletic Conference action after the winter break hosting Alaska on Dec. 29, at 7 p.m., followed by Alaska Anchorage on Saturday, Dec. 31, at 5p.m. --@MSUBSports | #JacketNation--