Lady Jackets Dominate Lincoln, 72-42 (2/4/06)
Box Score              Game Photos

BILLINGS, MT – A strong second half put away the fourteenth consecutive victory for the Montana State-Billings women’s basketball team Saturday as the Yellowjackets downed Lincoln University 72-42.  The non-conference regional counter improves the Jackets to 15-4 overall. The team is  7-1 in the Heartland Conference.  The Blue Tigers are still looking for win number one and are 0-18 for the season and 0-7 in league play.

The Tigers came out of the gate striking first on a three-pointer by Keyaira Stepps.  The Jackets quickly came back with buckets of their own to take a four-point lead at the 15:12 mark.  Strong defense on both sides of the court kept neither team from racking up points.  Two made free throws by Kayla McPherson with a minute to play in the first half sent the Jackets into the locker room leading 31-20.

Jennifer Skrivfars came off the Jackets’ bench to tie her career high knocking down a three-pointer at 13:28 giving the Yellowjackets a commanding 25 point lead.  The Blue Tigers whittled the Jackets lead down to 21 on baskets by Tasha Morgan and Tiffanie Wolfe.  That was the closest the Tigers would get as the Jackets’ bench combined for 25 of the team’s points.

“I think we took care of the basketball better than we did last night,” said Yellowjacket head coach Kevin Woodin.  “We only had seven turnovers and that was our focus tonight.  The Blue Tigers kept the pace slow and we needed to adjust to their timing.”

The Jackets converted 16 Blue Tiger turnovers into 14 points and as a team the Lady Jackets shot 21-of-53 from the field, 8-of-25 from behind the arc and went 22-of-26 from the line.  Four Yellowjackets scored in double figures.  They were led by Michelle Lieber who netted 14 points and grabbed seven rebounds.  Lieber shot 5-of-7 from the field.  Alira Carpenter added 12 points.  Shannon Harvey came off the bench to hit three 3-pointers and 2-of-3 from the line for 11 points.  Tanya Petersen had a game leading 10 rebounds. 

The Blue Tigers were paced by Wolfe with 13 points and nine rebounds.  Stepps added eight points.  As a team the Tigers shot 15-of-52 from the field, 3-14 from three-point range and went 9-of-13 from the charity stripe.

“If we can go to St. Edward’s and play like I know we can, I think we will come out on top,” added Woodin.  “We are looking forward to the game and it should be a tough match-up.”

The Lady Jackets will make a swing to Texas taking on Heartland Conference opponent St. Edward’s February 11 and 12.  The women’s games are scheduled for 5:00 p.m. MST.  Listen live on 970 KBUL or log onto the Yellowjackets athletic website for live stats.