FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Birgitta Gray O: (406) 896-5917 E: birgitta.gray@msubillings.edu January 21, 2017 ‘Jackets just short in upset bid at WWU, 63-59 MSUB Women’s Basketball on Facebook | MSUB Women’s Basketball on ISSUU | Interactive Box Score
MSUB’s Marissa Van Atta shoots over the top of the Western Washington defense.
The Yellowjackets fought through a 15-point second quarter deficit to take the lead in the final minutes before falling in the final seconds during a GNAC battle at Western Washington. BELLINGHAM, Wash. – Down by 15 in the second quarter MSUB rode a big second-half, taking the lead in the final quarter by two before falling in the final minute 63-59 in a Great Northwest Athletic Conference battle against Western Washington Saturday at Whatcom Pavilion. After falling sharply behind by double-digits, the Yellowjackets fought to get themselves into the game using a 21-15 third quarter to draw the deficit down to five points. Continuing the scoring run, Tiana Hanson gave MSUB the lead on a layup at 59-57 with 1:51 remaining in the game. Both teams fell dry offensively before a long 3-pointer from Taylor Peacocke turned into a four-point play for WWU that pushed the Vikings ahead by two. At the other end, MSUB had multiple chances to send the game to overtime, but couldn’t get a basket to fall as both chances bounced off the rim leaving the team to foul with under 10 seconds left.
“I was proud of our team, they really fought hard all night,” MSUB head coach Kevin Woodin said. “We played a strong second half to get ourselves back in the game and give ourselves a chance to win in the final two minutes so I can’t ask for more than that. I thought both teams made some big plays down the stretch. I think Peacocke’s 3-pointer was big for them, but I thought our players responded well as our team was taking shots and making defensive plays in the last two minutes. Despite the defeat, I think we are headed in the right direction. I really like that we are improving and I believe the best is yet to come for our team.” The Yellowjackets got off to a hot start in the game as a layup from Rylee Kane gave MSUB a five-point lead, 13-8. Western Washington found its offensive footing engaging on a 12-1 run to move ahead 20-14 on a layup from Jessica Valley in the second quarter. Turnovers and cold shooting from MSUB, including four missed free-throws right before the half, had WWU ahead by double-digits, 34-23, at the break. MSU Billings had to fight through a 27 percent shooting percentage in the first half, but relied on their defense to pull them back into the game in the second half. After hanging-in at a 10-point deficit, Lexi Prevost kicked-off the comeback with an offensive rebound and put-back at the 5:37 mark in the third quarter. The Yellowjackets kept chipping away at the deficit creating multiple chances at the basket on defensive stops and offensive rebounds. Marissa Van Atta scored four straight points on a jump shot and layup. Off the bench, Brina Hull came through with two big plays taking a charge under the WWU rim and turning right around finishing an open 3-pointer from the far corner to move MSUB within three, 45-42, with three minutes left in the third period. At the start of the fourth quarter, Prevost collected a defensive rebound then buried a 3-pointer to move MSUB within two, 49-47. Remaining steady in the interior, WWU’s Tia Briggs responded with a layup, but MSUB’s Grace Weeks made a big step-through layup for two and Kane tied the score at 51 with a layup at seven minutes remaining. Down the stretch, Kane and Van Atta were clutch from the free-throw line, both making a pair as Van Atta’s tied the game at 57 with 3:56 left. Both teams remained dry offensively for two minutes before Hanson broke the scoring drought, collecting a rebound and on the other end a contested layup to move MSUB ahead 59-57 with 1:51 remaining on the clock. Around a tough defensive set and with time winding down, Peacocke hit a long 3-pointer and on a free-throw put WWU back in the lead by two. Down by two, a turnover from the Vikings gave the ‘Jackets the ball on their end. Looking to tie the game, MSUB missed three shot attempts in the final 30 seconds and had to foul Peacocke who iced the game at the 8 second mark on two free throws. “I thought Rylee played a very good game,” Woodin said. “She was aggressive leading our offensive, but also played a complete game. Marissa battled hard at both ends. She had a tough assignment guarding Peacocke, but also contributed on the boards. Brina took three offensive charges for us and Lexi had a good all-around game.” Kane finished with a team-leading 18 points and five assists. Hanson had 12 points and eight rebounds and Prevost 12 points and a career-high seven rebounds. Van Atta ended the night with eight points, seven rebounds, two steals, and two assists. The Yellowjackets picked up the pace on both ends of the floor in the second half. After being behind 23-14 rebounds in the second half, the ‘Jackets closed the gap to six, 39-33, and in a key improvement won the offensive battle 12-11. The ‘Jackets matched WWU on points in the paint, 30-30.
MSUB protected the ball well, limiting turnovers to single digits at nine while forcing 16 from the Vikings. MSUB had seven steals led by three from Kane. Peacocke ended the game scoring the final eight points for Western Washington finishing with a game-high 27. Briggs had 12 points and nine rebounds. Valley had 11 points and eight rebounds. Free-throw shooting was clutch for Western Washington as the Vikings finished 13 for 13 from the foul line, including an 8 for 8 performance from Peacocke. At the half-way point in the conference season, the win improves Western Washington to 15-3 and 9-1 in the GNAC while dropping MSU Billings to 6-12 and 3-7 in league action. NOTES: The loss stopped a 3-game winning streak against the Vikings‌Prevost named the player of the game‌MSUB won the second half 37-29. UP NEXT: MSU Billings continues its tough road schedule traveling to Alaska next week with a game against Alaska Anchorage on Thursday, Jan. 26 followed by a game at Alaska on Saturday, Jan. 28. --@MSUBSports | #JacketNation--