Lady Yellowjackets Blow-Out Western New Mexico in Final Home Game (February 23, 2003)

BILLINGS, MT – The MSU Billings women’s basketball team wasted little time in putting away the Western New Mexico Mustangs Sunday afternoon as they cruised to a 79-64 Senior Day victory.  Three Yellowjackets seniors scored double figures to lead the route, led by Natalie Visger’s 19 points.

The Yellowjackets threw the knockout punch early as the Mustangs were unable to stop them on the offensive end and unable to handle their half court man-to-man defense.  MSUB started all five seniors, and it took them only five and a half minutes to open a double-digit lead.  Visger scored the Jackets’ first five points to set the tone for the rest of the half.  Back-to-back buckets from Visger and Jessica Bachmann gave MSUB a 14-4 lead with 14:33 remaining.

After Western New Mexico called a time out to try to regroup, the Yellowjackets rattled off another 14-4 run to take a 28-8 lead with 7:42 left.  The Mustangs were able to cut the lead to 14 after a pair of Ivana Stojkovic baskets at the five minute mark, but MSU Billings answered with a 12-4 run capped by Amy Bantz’s stop-and-pop jumper from the left elbow as time expired.  The Jackets went into the half with a 42-20 lead.

After being completely shut down by the Yellowjacket defense in the first half, the Mustangs opened the second half with an 11-2 run to cut the deficit to 13.  Amy Kaaiakamanu and Stojkovic combined for nine of those points.

The Yellowjackets answered with a 21-7 run to put the game out of reach with a 27-point lead. The Mustangs cut the lead to 11 with 4:15 remaining, but couldn’t get any closer.  Jessie Henigman hit four free throws inside of 1:30 to seal the win.

Henigman finished with 13 points and Bachmann added 12.  Henigman also added nine rebounds and two blocked shots.  Visger handed out a game-high six assists, and all nine players scored for the Yellowjackets.

MSUB improved to 18-6 overall and 13-3 in the West Region, which should be enough to hold onto their No. 4 West Region ranking.  They will finish the season February 28 and March 1 at a tournament in Converse, South Carolina.