The Retort

Yellowjacket Women Hit Road at Western Oregon and Saint Martin’s

February 19th, 2010 by MSUB Athletics For The Retort

The Montana State Billings women’s basketball team prepared to go on the road for two crucial Great Northwest Athletic Conference games at Western Oregon University and Saint Martin’s. The Yellowjackets enter the weekend with a 10-9 record overall and a 3-5 record in conference play. Western Oregon entered the February 11 match-up with a 9-14 record overall and 4-5 in GNAC play, while the Saint’s were 8-12 overall and 2-7 in the conference.

The Yellowjackets came off of their most exciting finish of the season, using a last second bucket from Kayla Ryan to defeat the Nanooks of the University of Alaska Fairbanks on February 6 at Alterowitz Gymnasium, 61-60. The win snapped a four-game losing skid for MSUB and kept UAF winless in the GNAC. The win also gave Coach Woodin his 98th career victory and is now just two shy of becoming the third women’s coach to reach 100 victories.

The Jackets had three players averaging double-digit points per game. Kayla Ryan was scoring 14.1 points per game and is grabbing 8.6 rebounds per game. Ryan had recorded 22 blocks this season and was shooting 45.5 percent from the floor and 86.9 percent from the line. Sophomore Callie Kautzmann and junior Sarah McNamee were both averaging 11.7 points per game and had combined for 92 assists on the season. Kalli Stanhope led the team from the line (87.0) and was averaging 8.5 points per game, dishing out 53 assists since moving to the point guard position early in the season due to a season-ending injury to Shantell Marquis. Off the bench, Ashley Reed was averaging 4.8 points per game and 3.9 boards.

As a team, MSUB was shooting 38.3 percent from the floor, including 31.9 percent from beyond the arc. The Jackets were shooting 76.6 percent from the charity stripe and on average were grabbing 38.7 boards per game. On the defensive side, MSUB was forcing 17.9 turnovers a game, including 146 steals on the season.

The Wolves entered the game trying to win back-to-back games since defeating Central Washington and Alaska Fairbanks January 16 and January 21. WOU came off a 69-58 victory over Central Washington in Monmouth, Oregon, February 6. Katie Torland led the Wolves with 16.7 points per game and a team-high 6.9 boards. Sara Zahler was chipping in 8.0 points per game and led the team with 45 assists. Jamie Richardson led the team with 38 steals, while Meaghan White had recorded a team-high 13 blocks.

As a team, the Wolves were shooting 37.5 percent from the floor, including going 33.0 percent from deep. WOU was shooting 76.8 percent from the free throw line and were averaging 62.2 points per game while holding teams to 62.0 points. The Wolves had been outrebounded by opponents 36.3 to 34.4 and had forced 491 turnovers this season.

The Saint’s came into the match having won just two of their last nine contests. Three players were averaging double-digits in scoring for the Saint’s. Dara Zack was scoring 17.1 points per contest and had been averaging 9.1 rebounds with 61 assists and 28 steals. Krissy Bassett averaged 13.6 points and 5.4 boards, while Jamey Gelhar was chipping in 10.6 points per game.

As a team, Saint Martin’s was averaging 66.2 points per game and were giving up 66.7 to opponents. SMU was shooting 40.8 percent from the field, including 41.7 percent from three-point distance, and were shooting 79.7 percent from the free throw line. The Saint’s were grabbing 37.8 boards and were forcing 17.7 turnovers, while turning it over 19.7 times a game.

In the first meeting, the Yellowjackets were paced by three players in double figures, led by Sarah McNamee and Kalli Stanhope who had 17 points apiece. Callie Kautzmann rounded out the double-digit scoring with her 16 points and seven rebounds. MSUB shot 41.7 percent from the floor, including 11-of-27 from deep. They were consistent from the free throw line, going 11-of-13 and turned the ball over just 13 times while forcing 18 in the first meeting. The Yellowjackets scored 26 points in the paint and had 21 points off of turnovers.

The Yellowjackets returned home for four consecutive home games.