Big Sky Times

 ‘Jackets Defeat Red Leafs in Overtime Thriller

The Montana State University Billings women's basketball team edged out Simon Fraser University 69-67 in overtime to win in a tightly contested Great Northwest Athletic Conference game.
The Yellowjackets (15-4, 6-2 GNAC) and Red Leafs (6-6, 4-4 GNAC) went back and forth all night, swapping for the lead 20 times across the game. The 'Jackets battled back from a slow first half to gain a ten-point lead in the fourth quarter, but the Red Leafs battled back, forcing the two teams to play an extra period that went down to the wire. The 'Jackets were able to knock down enough free throws late, and never let Simon Fraser get a shot off at the end to push their winning streak to four games.

"It was a great college women's basketball game." Said Yellowjackets coach Kevin Woodin. "Simon played well especially late in each half. We had a chance to put them away near the end, but they clawed back to force overtime so give them credit. In the overtime, I thought we worked very hard and found a way to win."
Taryn Shelley led the way with a vintage performance, scoring a team high 18 points and collecting 13 rebounds to tally her first double-double of the season since coming back from a preseason injury. Aspen Giese followed with 14 points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals. "Taryn continues to get better." Said Woodin. "I thought she played much better on the defensive end tonight and was a factor on the glass. Aspen had a nice all-around game and offensively we shared the ball well. Eighteen assists is nice and I thought we got balanced scoring and had a good balance of inside and outside scoring too."

Cariann Kunkel scored 11, going a perfect 5-5 from the free throw line, while chipping in five boards and four assists. Dyauni Boyce scored ten, and Shayla Montague scored nine, all on a trio of three pointers. Kourtney Nelson scored five and was all over the stat sheet with five rebounds, three assists, and two steals.

The early stages of the gamed were a struggle for the 'Jackets, who didn't hit their first shot until 6:44 in the first quarter. Despite shooting 50% from the field, seven turnovers in the opening period of the game would leave the 'Jackets in a close battle with the Red Leafs. Those struggles would continue into the second quarter, where Simon Fraser continued to throw MSUB off their rhythm. The Red Leafs took advantage of costly Yellowjacket turnovers, and made it even more difficult for MSUB to score, holding them to a second quarter shooting percentage of 26.3 percent. But the 'Jackets stayed close behind the Red Leafs, trailing by just two entering the half.

It wouldn't take long in the second half for the 'Jackets started to gain some traction. The 'Jackets finally found their shooting touch, while limiting the turnovers to jump out to a six-point lead by the end of the third quarter. "I liked our start in the third quarter." Commented Woodin. "We executed on offense and got some key stops. We talked about getting off to better start as we struggled in the first quarter, especially on offense with some uncharacteristic turnovers." And after growing that lead to ten with just over two minutes left, MSUB looked to be in control of the game. But Simon Fraser hit a trio of big shots, two of them three pointers, and a layup from Gemma Cutler with just one second on the clock would tie it up at 61 each, sending the game into overtime.

The two teams traded baskets early in the overtime period, and then went cold, neither team making a field goal in the final three minutes of play. It would end up coming down to free throws, with Simon Fraser fouling three times in the final 25 seconds of overtime. Despite knocking down just two of them, one from Giese and one from Boyce, it would prove to be enough as the Red Leaf's pass in late was battled away by Nelson, clinching the game for MSUB.

"I'm just proud of our players." Said Woodin. "Every GNAC win is a big win and tonight is no different.  I am proud of our team's effort and execution tonight.  We are looking forward to hosting a great Western Washington team on Saturday."

THE BUZZ: Shelley was selected as the St. Vincent Healthcare Player of the Game… It was the 24th double-double in her career… With the win tonight, it marks the Yellowjackets third streak of four or more wins this season… MSUB is now 13-11 all-time against Simon Fraser.

UP NEXT: The Yellowjackets face their biggest challenge of the season so far when they come up against undefeated GNAC leaders #6 Western Washington University this Saturday, January 21. Tip off is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Alterowitz Gym. 

Original source can be found here