by By Andrew Bonner
DAYTONA BEACH, Flor. – The #16 Montana State University Billings Yellowjacket women’s basketball team dropped a heartbreaker to the West Texas A&M Lady Buffs on opening night of the Daytona Beach Shootout – a tournament before heading into the two-plus week holiday break.
The Yellowjackets (10-3) jumped out to a quick 12-point lead in the opening quarter, but the Lady Buffs (7-4) would stick around before eventually mounting a fourth quarter comeback to steal a victory by one point, 59-58. The Lady Buffs outscored the ‘Jackets 19-10 in the final frame and knocked down two free-throws with .3 seconds left to secure the win.
Kola Bad Bear led the ‘Jackets with another double-double as she scored 18 points (7-12 FG), 10 rebounds and added two blocks. Kortney Nelson had another impressive outing as she went for 15 points (8/8 FT), 4 rebounds and 3 assists.
“It was a very competitive game tonight,” said MSUB head coach Kevin Woodin. “The first and third quarters were our best quarters, but give West Texas A&M a lot of credit for how they battled back in the second and fourth quarter. Both teams made some great plays towards the end of the game, and credit to their player for making the final play and knocking down her free throws.”
The game was truly a tail of the quarters with neither team letting the other carryover momentum through the period break. The ‘Jackets would outscore the Lady Buffs in the first and third quarters by a combined 18 points but were outscored the second and fourth quarters by a combined 19 points. The ‘Jackets were impressive from the free throw line as they shot 88% (22/25), but couldn’t quite carry that over to the floor, shooting only 31% on their field goals. In an uncharacteristic night, the ‘Jackets were also out rebounded by 13 while totaling their second lowest offensive rebounding output of the season with only eight.
The Lady Buffs were forced into 20 turnovers but saved the best for last, mounting an improbable comeback in the last few minutes. A pair of free throws by Bad Bear put the ‘Jackets up 58-54, but West Texas A&M flew down the court and banked in a three-pointer from well behind the line to cut the lead to one. A defensive stop by the Lady Buffs allowed them to control possession with 20 seconds left, meaning they could take the last shot and send themselves off with a victory. After the ‘Jackets played solid defense for the majority of the possession, Hollie Stalder of the Lady Buffs pulled up for a contested jump shot around the free throw line and was fouled. She went on to make both free throws to give them the lead by one with .3 seconds left. The ‘Jackets were unable to get a shot off to end the game.
