Lady Yellowjackets Avenge Loss, Defeat Western New Mexico (January 24, 2003)

SILVER CITY, NM – The MSU Billings Lady Yellowjackets bounced back from one of their worst offensive outings of the season with a 75-70 victory over Western New Mexico Friday night.  The Yellowjackets’ offense, which struggled in Thursday night’s 54-47 loss, produced its fourth-highest point total of the season.

The Lady Jacket post players, who were virtually shut down in Thursday’s loss, controlled the game Friday.  Twin towers Jessie Henigman and Robyn Milne each scored 16 points and were a combined 12-for-20 from the field.  Milne pulled down 11 rebounds for a double-double.  Henigman grabbed six boards and blocked three shots.  She now has 61 blocks for the year, just five shy of the school single-season record.

MSU Billings used a dominating first half to build a 41-30 lead at the break.  The Jackets shot 54 percent from the floor while limiting the Mustangs to just 23 percent shooting in the half.  MSUB connected on all nine of its first half free throws and made 13-of-15 in the game.  Western New Mexico made 23-of-25.

Senior Natalie Visger added 13 points, six rebounds and three assists in the game.  In all, nine Yellowjackets scored in the game.  Jenny Langford, Thursday night’s leading scorer, finished with seven points.  Joan Langford made two 3-pointers for six points after missing Thursday’s game with a shoulder injury.  Jessica Bachmann and Aimee Montes also scored six points each.

The Mustangs were again led by Ivana Stojkovic, who netted a game-high 27 points and grabbed nine rebounds.  Elyza Schafer added 13 points, but the Mustangs shot just 36 percent from the field in the game, including 3-of-13 from behind the arc.  The Yellowjackets made eight 3-pointers in the game.

MSU Billings improves to 14-4 with the win, while Western New Mexico falls to 5-11.  The Yellowjackets are 11-3 in the West Region.  They entered the week at No. 3, but will likely slide a little this week due to the loss at WNMU on Thursday.

The Lady Jackets are idle next week and next play February 6 at Rocky Mountain.