by Logan Tracy
BILLINGS, Mont. – The Montana State University Billings women’s basketball team came from behind to earn victory over Central Washington, earning a 75-70 victory in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play.
The Yellowjackets (19-4, 10-1 GNAC) battled back from a double-digit deficit in the second half, defeating a tough Wildcat (13-7, 6-5 GNAC) squad to remain undefeated at home in GNAC play.
The ‘Jackets outscored their opponents 48-32 in the second half, with a 60% mark from the field in the third quarter, and going a perfect 18-18 from the free throw line. MSUB’s success from the free throw line played a crucial role in the victory, going 27-29 in the game.
“Central Washington put us on our heels early,” said Yellowjacket head coach Kevin Woodin. “They did a great job defending and making shots. We talked about effort at halftime, and everybody was bought in. I thought we executed well in the second half, especially in the last minutes, and we were excellent from the free throw line tonight.”
Kola Bad Bear scored 26 points to lead MSUB, including 12 in the fourth quarter. Bad Bear went 11-13 from the free throw line, and added eight rebounds, four assists, three steals, and a block.
“Tonight showed how hard our team fights together and for each other,” said Bad Bear. “It was definitely a grind and a really physical game, but I’m happy we came out with the win.”
Dyauni Boyce scored 14 points, chipping in a team high seven assists, along with four rebounds. Shayla Montague had 13 points, going 4-5 from the field and 3-4 from three-point range, grabbing five rebounds as well. Kortney Nelson chipped in with 12 points as well, going a perfect 8-8 from the free throw line, and grabbed seven rebounds.
The Yellowjackets jumped out to an early 6-0 lead to start the game, but the Wildcats quickly battled back to remain just a few points behind. MSUB was able to hold onto the lead at the media timeout, up 11-9, but Central Washington would end the half hot from the field, finishing the first quarter with nine points in the final three and a half minutes of play, and making half of their attempts from the field. They would match that percentage in the second quarter, this time knocking down four three pointers in another potent offensive quarter. The Wildcats would build a lead as high as 12 in the quarter, with MSUB needing to head to the free throw line to find a majority of their points in the quarter. When the halftime buzzer sounded in Alterowitz, it saw Central Washington take a 38-27 lead into the break.
MSUB would begin to chip away at the Wildcats advantage as the third quarter began, finally beginning to find their shooting touch. They would outscore Central Washington 14-5 over the first four and a half minutes, with big three-pointers from Montague and Boyce helping to close the lead to two points, as the Wildcats were forced to call a timeout and regroup. The stoppage wouldn’t slow the Yellowjackets comeback attempt, who would tie the game back up multiple times before another Montague three would give the ‘Jackets their first lead since the 0:07 mark in the first quarter. The Wildcats would finally recover as the third quarter came to a close, remaining just a few points behind before tying the game up at 52 in the final seconds.
That would set up an intense fourth quarter, with both teams vying for the win over a back-and-forth final ten minutes. The Wildcats would take the first lead, but the Yellowjackets would respond, with Bad Bear tying the game up with a spin in the post before Giese’s and-one layup would shift the game in favor of MSUB. The teams traded the lead once more, before five points in two possessions from Bad Bear would give MSUB a 64-59 advantage. Central Washington would continue to battle however, continuing to keep things close with big baskets and defensive plays. But it would be Bad Bear once again who would help keep the ‘Jackets ahead, with her late buckets and four Kortney Nelson free throws helping MSUB pull out an impressive come from behind win on home court.
