Women's hoops falls short at MSU Billings, 73-67
January 14, 2013
Jamie Foland
474-6807
Despite holding an opponent to its worst shooting percentage since the start of Great Northwest Athletic Conference play, Alaska dropped a tough 73-67 decision at Montana State Billings in women's basketball on Saturday night at Alterowitz Gymnasium.
"We definitely had our opportunities and I was really proud of holding the GNAC's leading scorer to nine points," head coach Cody Burgess-Bench said. "Our effort was great and they made their runs but we kept fighting back. We didn't quite get the finish but there's some positives. They fought hard and everyday is a little bit better."
The Yellowjackets (11-3, 5-1 GNAC) attempted 86 shots and only converted 29 percent (25-86 FG) but cashed in on 25 offensive rebounds and 25 turnovers by Alaska, 15 by way of steals, that allowed for a combined 26 more points for the hosts.
Janiel Olson posted a double-double for MSUB with 16 points and a game-high 14 rebounds while Quinn Peoples and Brooke Tolman had 13 and 10 points, respectively. Bobbi Knudsen, the GNAC's leading scorer was held to just nine points, but dished out a game-high 13 assists.
MSUB controlled the glass 46-40 only because of offensive rebounds, in which it dominated Alaska by a 25-6 margin. The Nanooks (2-11, 0-5 GNAC) won the defensive rebounding battle comfortably, 34-21.
Junior guard April Fultz (Rialto, Calif./Political science) led all players with 17 points and senior guard Taylor Altenburg (Elko, Nev./Criminal justice) produced 12 points and seven rebounds. Sophomore guards Benissa Bulaya (Sacramento, Calif./Business administration) and Kelly Logue (Fair Oaks, Calif./Communication) each had 10 points while senior forward Jacqueline Lovato (Gunnison, Colo./Business administration) had a team-best 10 rebounds.
The Nanooks shot 47 percent (23-49 FG) but had 37 less opportunities at the basket as did the 'Jackets. They were only 64 percent (16-25 FT) from the charity stripe and gave the ball away 25 times, to MSUB's 14 giveaways.
MSUB jumped out to an early 12-3 lead just over three minutes to set the tone. Later, leading 27-20, the Yellowjackets allowed the Nanooks to close the gap as the visitors went on an 8-2 run to trim the deficit to 29-28 with 2:27 to go. Billings outscored Alaska 8-3 in the final 1:48 to take a 37-31 lead into the locker room.
The Yellowjackets took their largest lead of the game to that point when they used a 9-2 run to go up 48-38 with 14 minutes remaining. The lead shrunk bit by bit but Alaska struggled to put together a big run. MSUB rebuilt the advantage up to 66-54 with 5:43 to play and the Nanooks couldn't draw closer than three in the final minute.
Alaska returns home next week to take on Central Washington Thursday at 7 p.m. and Northwest Nazarene Saturday at 5:15 p.m. prior to men's basketball's game against Alaska Anchorage at 7:30.
"We're going to have to be ready defensively," Burgess-Bench said. "We've seen so many different things and just need to hone in on what to do to stop teams from getting easy baskets. A lot of that translates from the decision making on the offensive end and trusting each other and our system. We need to minimize turnovers and look for the best shot."