Lady Jackets Overpower Falcons, 88-62 (1/15/07)
Box Score
Kevin Woodin post game audio

ODESSA, TX –  The Montana State – Billings Lady Jackets drilled University of Texas – Permian Basin cruising to the 88-62 win Monday in Odessa, Texas.  The Lady Jackets have won their last 11 of 12 games improving to 13-4 with tonight’s win.  The Falcons, Heartland Conference provisional members, have yet to pick up a win falling to 0-12 overall.

The Falcons never challenged the Lady Jackets as MSUB shot their way to a double digit lead less than two and a half minutes into the game and built a 20-point cushion by the 14:14 mark.  The Lady Jackets dominated the paint scoring 46 of the team’s 88 points driving to the basket.  All nine players in uniform had put points on the board before the first half of play was completed.  The Yellowjackets had the ball game put away early in the first half and had a 25-point lead halfway through the contest.

“It has been a tough road trip with some of the players coming down sick and the miles we have driven,” said Yellowjacket head coach Kevin Woodin.  “We played well and started off the game strong.  The ladies kept up the intensity and defended the ball well tonight.  We got a bit sloppy near the end as the trip is starting to wear on the team a bit so we will be happy to get home.”

The second half continued the Jackets’ trend of hammering points on nearly every possession building the lead to 36 with 4:30 left to play.  All of the Lady Jackets saw ample playing time giving each other much needed rest after a brutal road trip through the ice and cold temperatures in Oklahoma and Texas.

The game was the ninth of the season that the Lady Jackets have scored over 80 points against their opponents.  As a team the Yellowjackets shot an even 50 percent from the field and 31.8 percent from behind the arc.  The Lady Jackets out-rebounded the Falcons 47-33.

Michelle Lieber (Gillette, WY) and Kayla McPherson (Glendive, MT) each scored 20 points.  Lieber was 8-of-10 from the field and a perfect 4-of-4 from the charity stripe.  She also had six rebounds in the game.  McPherson’s points came from 7-of-13 shooting from the field and 4-of-9 from behind the arc.  Alira Carpenter (Lewistown, MT) netted 18 points on 7-of-20 shooting from the field.  She was 2-of-8 from 3-point range.  Shantell Marquis (Cascade, MT) grabbed four rebounds and had three steals to go with seven points on the night.

“Michelle (Lieber) showed that she is a fighter and determined to play hard all the time,” added Woodin.  “Jen (Smith) and Michelle teamed up for the high-low game and it paid off.”

Permian Basin’s Amy Synatschk led the Falcons with 20 points.  She was 6-of-10 from the field and an efficient 8-of-10 from the line.  Calli Smith had 10 points on 5-of-18 shooting while teammate Michelle Thowsend grabbed seven boards and three steals.

“They were a feisty team that played very physical on the court,” said sophomore Jetton Meadors (Billings, MT) of the Falcons.  “Michelle held her place under the basket and is such a good athlete who gives herself 100 percent of the time; it is a blessing that she is on our side.”

The Lady Jackets will have the rest of the week to prepare for a single Heartland Conference game against Lincoln University (2-13, 0-1) Saturday, January 20 at Alterowitz Gymnasium.  It will be the first game of a four-game home stand.  Tip off is set for 5:30 p.m.