Lady Jackets Upset by Mustangs (2/24/06)
Box Score

SILVER CITY, NM –Montana State-Billings had the Heartland Conference title in its grasp Friday against Western New Mexico, but a motivated Mustang team dealt the Jackets a devastating loss in the final conference game of the season downing the Lady Jackets 75-65.  The loss drops the Jackets to 18-7 overall and 9-3 in the Heartland Conference standings.  The Mustangs earned the surprise win and improved to 5-20 on the season and 3-9 in league play. 

Already knocked out of the playoffs, the Mustangs’ spoiler gives St. Edward’s the chance to clinch the No. 1 seed and conference title if they can pick up a win at St. Mary’s Saturday.  If St. Mary’s is victorious, then MSUB and St. Edward’s would tie, but because the Jackets have the head-to-head advantage over St. Mary’s and the split with St. Edward’s, MSU Billings would still hold the No. 1 seed.

The Jackets rallied late in the second half to get within five points of the Mustangs after finding themselves at a 13-point deficit.  The score was tied on nine different occasions with the lead changing hands six times.  The Mustangs shot 72 percent at the line going 23-of-32.  The Mustangs were also able to convert 20 Yellowjacket turnovers into 22 points and were just too strong in the final minutes of the game.  The Stangs were able to nail down their first win on their home court this season. 

“Give credit to the Mustangs,” said Yellowjacket head coach Kevin Woodin.  “They played with great energy, and we struggled a bit right from the start.  We played tentatively and missed some open shots.”

Michelle Lieber (Jr., Gillette, WY) led all scorers with 24 points on 11-of-15 shooting from the field.  Lieber notched another double-double by grabbing 15 rebounds which also is a career-high.  Freshman Alira Carpenter (Lewistown, MT) netted 15 points with 6-of-11 shooting.  Carpenter hit three of the Jackets' six 3-pointers for the game going 3-of-6 from the perimeter.  Jenny Langford (Sr., Reed Point, MT) added seven points and Lisa Jellum (Sr., Gillettte, WY) picked up two points, handed out eight assists and batted away three steals.

The Mustangs’ Sarah Bennetts led her team with 19 points on 6-of-11 shooting and 4-of-6 from the line.  Tannesia Manley had a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds.  Manley went 7-of-14 from the field and 4-of-6 at the charity stripe.

“We need to do a lot better tomorrow,” added Woodin.  “It is another day and another game.  We can’t give up as many offensive rebounds especially if we aren’t shooting well.  We will come out strong for Saturday’s game and hopefully the outcome will be in our favor.”

The Lady Jackets will play their final regular season game against the Mustangs Saturday in Silver City.  Tip off is 5:30 p.m. MST.  Listen live on 970 KBUL.  The Jackets will play their first game of the Heartland Conference Tournament Wednesday, March 1 at Alterowitz Gymnasium.  Call the Yellowjacket Athletics department at 657-2369 to purchase your tickets.