BILLINGS, Mont. – A high-energy Montana State University Billings women's basketball team picked up a statement win in the team's home opener, defeating Vanguard University 75-59 on the first day of action at the GNAC/PacWest Crossover, hosted at Alterowitz Gym.
The Yellowjackets (2-2) showed out in front of their home crowd, leading the majority of the game to spoil the season opener for the Lions (0-1), who received votes in the WBCA Preseason Top 25 Poll. The 'Jackets shot 49.1% (28-57) from the field in a strong team effort that saw four players score 12 points or more for MSUB. The Yellowjackets also dominated on the defensive end, holding a strong offense to just 35.4% (23-65) shooting, while forcing 15 turnovers in the victory.
"I'm really pleased with our win tonight," praised Yellowjacket head coach Kevin Woodin. "This was the most complete game we've played this year. Our offense and defense complimented each other well, both helped lead to success on the other end. Vanguard is a very talented, well coached team and they made some big threes and kept it close throughout the game. But I thought we handled their full-court press well, which was the key tonight. We lowered our turnovers from last week and beat the press to create some easy baskets. Alisha did a great job preparing us defensively, and I really liked our team effort and how we kept up our intensity."
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Cassie Chesnut led the way with her third double-double in four games to start the campaign, scoring 19 points and grabbing 13 rebounds. Chesnut also dished out a career-high seven assists, while blocking three shots and collecting one steal. Layla Baumann scored a season-high 15, hitting 4-7 from three while finishing with four rebounds and three assists. Rae Smart scored 15 points with seven boards, three assists and a steal, while Tailey Harris finished with 12 points, four assists and two rebounds. Molly Hays and Brooklynn Brennan each scored seven points, with Hays pulling down nine rebounds to go with a block, steal and assist each, while Brennan added a pair of assists and steals.
"It was great to see Layla find success from the perimeter," commented Woodin. "I thought she had a great overall game and helped open things up for us. And Cassie did an incredible job of passing out of double teams. Her seven assists were important for us, and she did a great job dominating inside as well. For us to almost shoot 50% tonight was great, and is a product of great team basketball."
A fast-paced first quarter saw the 'Jackets jump out to an early lead after trading baskets from the opening tip, using back-to-back threes from Baumann to spark an 8-0 run to pull ahead by seven after three minutes. Vanguard remained within distance of the lead though, going blow for blow and tying the game up twice in the first quarter before a Lions layup on the second-to-last possession of the quarter saw the visitors pull ahead 19-17 heading into the second. The Yellowjackets reclaimed the lead as the second quarter commenced, opening the period on a 6-0 run from the free-throw line alone, which they stretched into a 12-4 run over the first six minutes of the second. MSUB shot 60% across the second quarter and hit 8-10 (80%) looks from the free-throw line to outscore the Lions by six across the quarter, heading into halftime with a 37-33 lead.
After swapping baskets across the opening two and a half minutes of the third quarter, the game shifted firmly in favor of the Yellowjackets. MSUB clamped down defensively to allow Vanguard to score just three points in the final seven and a half minutes of the third, while the offense found its rhythm as the quarter wore on, using a mid-quarter 12-0 run to pull ahead by as much as 16 points, with the 'Jacket offense shooting 8-16 (50%) from the field to pull ahead heading into the fourth quarter. They kept their foot on the gas pedal the final 10 minutes, seeing off a late push from the Lions by shooting 8-12 (66.7%) across the fourth quarter to finish strong and collect the win, opening the weekend of two games in two days with a big victory.
"Tomorrow we face off against a good Westmont team," previewed Woodin. "They beat us last year decisively at their gym, and they looked good today, but we're looking forward to another great atmosphere and taking them on tomorrow."
The buzz: Chesnut was named Player of the Game… the game marked MSUB's best offensive and defensive showings in both points and points allowed… the 'Jackets move to 2-1 all-time against Vanguard.
The Yellowjackets are back in action tomorrow, November 14, when they conclude the GNAC/PacWest Crossover with a showdown against Westmont College. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 PM at Alterowitz Gym, with tickets available for purchase online here or at the gate. Live video is available on the GNAC Network, and live statistics are available here.
