OT Loss Ends Lady Jackets' Streak (2/10/06)
Box Score
 

AUSTIN, TX -  The Montana State-Billings women’s basketball team suffered its first loss in over a month Friday when they were downed by Saint Edward’s University 73-72 in overtime.  The Lady Jackets, who had not lost a game since November 28, dropped to 15-5 overall and 7-2 in the Heartland Conference standings.  The Hilltoppers improved to 11-10 on the season and 6-2 in league play.  The loss ended the Yellowjackets' school-record 14 game winning streak.
 

“This was a great collegiate basketball game,” said Yellowjacket head coach Kevin Woodin.  “Both teams played hard and I can’t say enough about our team.  We didn’t have our starting post players in overtime and our bench really did their job.  We have a lot to be proud of.”
 

It was a horse race to the end.  Neither team had more than a six-point advantage throughout the game with the lead trading hands 14 times in 45 minutes of play. The Yellowjackets jumped out to the early five point lead before the Hilltoppers tied it up at 9-9 on a lay-up by Sara Baca at the 16:21 mark.  The teams took turns trading buckets to head into the locker room tied 36-36 at the half.
 

The Hilltoppers built themselves a five point lead with 15 minutes to play in the second half.  A 3-pointer by Jen Smith (Fr., Belgrade, MT) and a lay-up by Lisa Jellum (Sr., Gillette, MT) brought the teams to their seventh tie.  Trailing by six with 8:21 to play in the game Lady Jacket Alira Carpenter (Fr., Lewistown, MT) took the Jackets on a 6-0 run knocking down a huge 3-pointer followed by a lay-up and free throw to tie up the two teams at 52 apiece.  The Jackets continued to hold the Hilltoppers at bay, but a Yellowjacket foul with five seconds left in regulation sent Sara Baca to the line for two.  Baca nailed both, sending the teams into overtime tied 66-66.

The Jackets headed into overtime without the inside strength of Michelle Lieber (Jr., Gillette, WY) and Tanya Petersen (Sr., Billings, MT) as they both fouled out late in the second half.  The Jackets’ bench took the frontline and was up by as many as three points.  It looked as though the Lady Jackets were going to walk away with the overtime win, but the Hilltoppers battled back to within one on a lay-up by Cassie Brown.  Once again the Hilltoppers were sent to the free throw line. Tammy Bartosh was set to shoot the 1-on-1 bonus with 3.1 seconds left in overtime.  The first shot was up and good, tying the game 72-72.  Bartosh sank her second attempt to give the Hilltoppers the one point advantage.  The Jackets inbounded the ball from under the Hilltoppers’ basket.  From half court, Carpenter threw a desperation shot trying to give the team their fifteenth straight win.  It was in line with the basket but fell just short.
 

Four Yellowjackets scored in double figures.  They were led by Lieber who added another double-double to her resume.  Eighteen of her game leading 22 points came in the first half.  Lieber shot 9-of-15 from the field and 4-of-5 from the free throw line and grabbed 11 rebounds.  Carpenter posted 16 points on 6-of-17 shooting from the field.  She also knocked down three 3-pointers in the game.  Jellum put away six buckets for a dozen points on 4-of-9 shooting and handed out a game high five assists.  Jenny Langford (Sr., Reed Point, MT) added 11 points.
 

The Hilltoppers had an even scoring effort as a team.  They were led by Baca who netted 11 points.  Jennifer Knight and Bartosh added 11 and eight points respectively. 
 

“It is congested at the top of the Heartland Conference standings,” added Woodin.  “We haven’t lost in quite awhile so we will want to get a regional win under our belt tomorrow.   Next week is very big as we will be playing two important conference games back home.  We are ready to play hard.”
 

The Lady Jackets will play a non-conference regional counter against St. Edward’s Saturday in Austin.  Listen live on 970 KBUL or log on to the Yellowjacket athletics website.  Tip off is 5:00 p.m. MST.  After Saturday's match-up the team will return home to Alterowitz Gym to host conference opponent Incarnate Word on Wednesday, February 15.   The team will then have a one-day breather before taking on St. Mary’s February 17 and 18 in conference play.