Lady Yellowjackets Survive Lions, Win Fourth Straight (Dec. 20, 2004)
Box Score

BILLINGS, MT – After a sluggish start, the Montana State-Billings women’s basketball team rallied for a 76-59 victory over visiting Saint Leo on Monday evening.  The win was the fourth in a row for the Lady Jackets, who improved to 8-2.  The Lions dropped to 1-7 on the season.  The same teams will meet again at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday at Alterowitz Gym.

Four players scored in double figures for the Yellowjackets once they finally started the offense rolling.  Juniors Robyn Milne (Richey, MT) and Kayla Frize (Miles City, MT) scored 16 points apiece to lead all scorers.  The pair also combined for nine assists and Frize's point total was a career high. 

Lisa Jellum (Jr., Gillette, WY) and Tanya Petersen (Jr., Billings, MT) added 14 points each.  It was a career-high for Jellum, who was 3-of-4 from the field and 6-of-6 from the line.

“I felt fortunate tonight to come out with a victory,” said Yellowjacket coach Kevin Woodin.  “Saint Leo really bothered us for most of the game.  We had a hard time defending them and we struggled on the defensive boards.  I was impressed with their strategy and execution, especially in the first 25 minutes of the game.”

The Lions led as late as the 12:22 mark of the second half.  After MSU Billings held on for a 37-36 halftime advantage, the Lions responded with a strong start to the second half.  Patrice Bonilla’s 3-pointer at 14:58 gave the Lions their largest lead of the game at 47-43. 

A Jellum 3-pointer with 12:09 to play gave the Yellowjackets a 52-50 lead that they would not relinquish.  Jellum was 2-of-2 from behind the arc.  Her layup at 7:35 gave the Jackets their first double digit lead of the game, 63-53.

The Lions’ defense was able to hold on for the next four minutes until Jellum delivered the back-breaker with 3:58 remaining.  Her second 3-pointer of the game put MSU Billings up by 15 points, 70-55.  The Jackets were 6-of-6 from the line in the final three minutes to secure the win.

“At halftime we talked about defending better and I think our players responded,” said Woodin.  “Kayla Frize played a key role with her defensive pressure and offensive penetration.  She really gave us a needed spark.  I also thought Lisa Jellum was effective in the second half with her penetration and she hit a couple of huge threes.  Once we started to hit a few perimeter shots, it seemed to open up Robin, Tanya, and Michelle (Lieber) on the interior.  Tomorrow is a very important game for us.  We need to establish our defense early and execute our offense based upon how they intend to defend us.”  

Lieber (So., Gillette, WY) led all players with 12 rebounds, five of them coming on the offensive glass.  She also scored six points on 3-of-5 shooting. 

The Lions were paced by 12 points from Jonelle Nieb.  She scored all of her points on 3-pointers in the first half.  Rosetta Little and Danielle Hoeffner scored 11 points each.  Hoeffner also handed out five assists.