Lady Jackets Claim Fifth Straight (12/20/06)
Box Score
Kevin Woodin post game comments

HONOLULU, HI – The Montana State-Billings Lady Jacket basketball team has won their last five contests, fighting their way to a 78-69 win over Missouri Southern State University Wednesday afternoon at the Hoop-N-Surf Classic. The win improves the Jackets to 7-3 overall and drops the previously undefeated Lions to 7-1.

The team of Michelle Lieber (Gillette, WY) and Dani Henderson (Reed Point, MT) combined for the Jackets first nine points and the three point lead through the first six minutes of play.  The Lady Jackets built their lead to 11 on back-to-back three-pointers by the sharp-shooting Kayla McPherson (Glendive, MT).  The Jackets continued to pound the Lions both from long range and by penetrating to the basket and were up by as many as 18 with 3:17 to go in the half.  The Lions scored four unanswered points late in the half but Alira Carpenter (Lewistown, MT) drilled her third three of the half to carry a 16-point lead to the locker room.

“It was just a great team win for us,” said Jacket head coach Kevin Woodin. “The first half was the best we’ve played all year.   They (Missouri Southern State) were an outstanding team and I think we just came out real hungry and I’ve never seen our players work as hard as they did in the first half. 

The Lions chipped away at the Jackets lead getting within eight at the 12:33 mark on a layup by Fatai Hala’Api’Api.  Carpenter and Jetton Meadors (Billings, MT) traded threes putting the Jackets back on top by a dozen.  In the final five minutes of play, the Lions sent the Lady Jackets to the line five times where the Jackets went 9-of-10 with McPherson hitting six in a row.

“Kalya McPherson came off the bench and really sparked us and shot the ball consistently all night,” added Woodin. “Michelle Lieber guarded effectively inside and had a huge game for us on both ends. We really had great contributions from everybody.  Everyone stepped up when it was their turn.”
 

Lieber notched a double-double with 21 points and 12 rebounds on 8-of-12 shooting from the field.  Her three blocks in the game ties her career-high and moves her into eighth in the record books with 47 total blocks.  McPherson came off the bench and in just 16 minutes of play, netted 21 points tying her career-high.  McPherson was 6-of-9 from the field, 3-of-5 from three-point range and 6-of-6 from the line.  Carpenter added 16 points and was 4-of-7 from behind the arc. 

As a team the Lady Jackets shot a blistering 88 percent from the line going 15-of-17.  They were 27-of-63 from the field and 9-of-19 from three-point range.

The Lions were led by Robin Kantin with 16 points while teammates Dana-Mae Robbs and Hala’Api’Api added 15 and 11 points respectively.

“We played excellent team defense and really battled.  We knew that rebounding would be a huge thing and we worked hard.  I’m really proud of the effort our players put forth.”

The Lady Jackets will take a short holiday break before opening with Heartland Conference action December 30 against Oklahoma Panhandle State (2-9).  Game time is 5:30 p.m. at Alterowitz Gymnasium.