Lady Jackets Take Game One Over Aggies, 86-52 (1/6/06)
Box Score                 Game Photos

BILLINGS, MT - The Lady Jackets downed Oklahoma Panhandle Friday night in Alterowitz Gymnasium winning 86-52.  The win improves the Jackets to 7-4 overall and 2-1 in league play.  The Aggies drop to 6-8 overall and 1-1 in the Heartland Conference.

The Yellowjackets continue to be on fire, chalking up their sixth win in a row.  The game started off with the Aggies showing strong defense keeping the Jackets scoreless until a Tanya Petersen (Sr., F, Billings, MT) lay-up at the 17:23 mark put the Jackets on the board.  Over the next eight and a half minutes the Jackets went on a 17-0 run before Alira Carpenter (Fr., G, Lewistown, MT) fouled the Aggies allowing them two points at the charity stripe.

The Jackets led by as many as 19 points in the first half with 18 of the Jackets' 36 points coming in the paint.  The team was also able to convert the Aggies' 12 first half turnovers into 16 points going to the locker room leading 36-21 at the half.

The Lady Jackets struck first in the second half on a Michelle Lieber (Jr., F, Gillette, WY) lay-up at 19:07.  The Aggies trailed by as many as 36 points but were able to force 19 Yellowjacket turnovers.

“We came up with a lot of big rebounds that I think really kept up our momentum,” said head coach Kevin Woodin.  “We had quite a few turnovers in the game so that is something we will need to focus on.  I think they just get a little over zealous and need to keep the game in pace.”

The Yellowjackets shot 52 percent in both field goals and three-pointers in the game and had a blistering 89 percent from the line in the second half of play.  Petersen had seven rebounds and led all scorers with 18 points.  Lisa Jellum (Sr., G, Gillette, WY) had a personal best nine assists to go with her six points.  Lieber netted 16 points and eight rebounds with Carpenter making 14 points on the night.

“We have a lot of depth in our team, so tomorrow we will still be fresh and strong.  We know we will have our hands full with the Aggies and realize that just because we won this game, doesn’t mean that we will win tomorrow.  We will need to play smart basketball,” added Woodin.

The Lady Jackets will host Oklahoma Panhandle State University in game two Saturday in a non-conference match-up.  Tip off is set for 2 p.m. at Alterowitz Gymnasium.