December 1, 2007

Lady Jackets Win Second Straight
   Box Score
   MSUB Season Stats

GOLDEN, Colo. – A strong second half by the Montana State Billings women’s basketball team was enough to lift the Lady Jackets to a 67-55 win over Colorado School of Mines Saturday in Golden, Colorado.  After a 0-3 start to the season, the Lady Jackets are now 2-3 overall while the Orediggers fall to 2-4.

Six first half ties and a 7-1 run by the Diggers to end the first half sent both teams to the locker room knotted at 32 apiece.  The Diggers led through the first five minutes of the second half but a three-pointer by Alira Carpenter (Lewistown) at the 12:36 mark sent a spark down the Jackets’ bench that ignited two 8-0 runs in the final 12-minutes of play. Colorado School of Mines was unable to overcome the double digit deficit recording their first loss at home this season.

All nine Lady Jackets that saw court time scored for MSUB.  The Jackets were led by Carpenter’s 14 points.  The junior guard was 4-of-16 from the floor, 2-of-9 from the perimeter and 4-of-4 from the free throw line. Through the first five games of the season, Carpenter is a perfect 16-of-16 from the charity stripe.  Dani Henderson (Reed Point) and Kayla McPherson (Glendive) each added 13 points with Shantell Marquis (Cascade) posting the only double-double of the game with 10 points and 10 rebounds.  Marquis also recorded a game-high five steals.

As a team the Yellowjackets were 18-of-20 from the line for a sizzling 90 percent, but were just 7-of-28 from behind the arc for 25 percent.   MSUB was out-rebounded 50-37 but capitalized on 24 Orediggers’ turnovers scoring 24 points.  The team posted 11 steals and three blocked shots in the game.

Emily Dalton led CSM’s scoring netting 13 points off 6-of-8 shooting from the field.  Savannah Afoa grabbed a game-high 13 boards and three blocks to go with her eight points.

The Orediggers were plagued by the Yellowjackets’ stingy defense hitting just 4-of-24 from long range for 17 percent in the game.  The team was 32 percent from the floor and 68 percent from the charity stripe.

The Lady Jackets return home to Billings to defend Alterowitz Gym on Wednesday, December 5th when they host NAIA opponent University of Great Falls.  Tip off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.  Live video streaming, free live stats, and a free internet radio broadcast will be provided.