Jan. 4, 2014
Box Score
BILLINGS, Mont. - All-America guard Bobbi Knudsen scored a career and game-high 37 points as Montana State University Billings defeated Western Washington University, 82-69, in a Great Northwest Athletic Conference women's basketball game Saturday at Alterowitz Gymnasium.
WWU, which was coming off an 84-77 upset of nationally No.9-ranked Seattle Pacific, fell to 5-6 overall and 1-2 in GNAC play. The Vikings got a team-high 18 points from guard Katie Colard (Jr., McCleary/Elma). Taylor Peacocke (Fr., Kenmore/Inglemoor) contributed 15 points and Tia Briggs (Fr., Tacoma/Wilson) 14.
MSUB, picked to win the GNAC title in the preseason coaches' poll, improved to 10-4 overall and 3-1 in conference action. The Yellowjackets are unbeaten in seven home games this season.
Knudsen, who had 15 points at halftime, finished 14-of-21 from the field, including 3-of-4 3-pointers, and hit all six of her free throws. She also had six assists, three rebounds and two steals.
Knudsen's previous high was 33 points in Nov. 23, 2012 at Dixie State.
WWU was within two points, 21-19, midway through the first half, but MSUB finished the period with a 21-6 run for a 42-25 lead at halftime.
The Vikings never got closer than 11 after that and MSUB's biggest advantage was 23, 71-48, with 7:53 remaining.
Jenni White (Jr., Spokane/East Valley) had a game-high seven assists for WWU, which shot 52.7 percent from the field (29-of-55). The Vikings were outrebounded, 29-19.
WWU, which has played nine of its first 11 games on the road, returns home for a two contests at Sam Carver Gymnasium, beginning with Central Washington on Thursday (7 p.m.).
