Box Score

BILLINGS, Mont. - The Montana State Billings Yellowjackets put together a 24-5 run in the third and fourth quarters to pull ahead of Western Washington University in a 75-62 victory Thursday evening in Great Northwest Athletic Conference women's basketball action in Alterowitz Gym.

The loss evens WWU's season record at 4-4 overall and 1-1 in GNAC play. MSUB remained perfect on the season improving to 6-0 overall and is off to a 1-0 start in conference play.

Senior forward Hannah Stipanovich (St. Louis, MO/MSU Denver) and redshirt freshman guard Gracie Castaneda (Arlington, WA) led the Vikings with 15 points each. Stipanovich also tied for the team lead with 8 rebounds and was 5-for-6 from the free throw line. Sophomore guard Lexie Bland (Ellensburg, WA) contributed 12 points on 5-for-7 shooting and was 2-for-3 from 3-point range.

MSUB senior guard Alisha Breen, the GNAC Preseason Player of the Year selection, led all players with 31 points on 11-for-17 shooting. Rylee Kane also reached double figures with 18 points on 8-for-12 shooting.

Overall the Yellowjackets shot 50.0% from the floor (28-for-56), compared to WWU's mark of 35.9% (23-for-64). The Vikings held a 33-27 edge in rebounds, but MSUB had more blocks (8-2) and steals (6-2) in the contest.

WWU trailed 34-32 at halftime and faced a one-point deficit at 49-48 heading into the final quarter. From the 1:30 mark in the third quarter to the 2:38 point in the fourth quarter, MSUB went on an extended 24-5 run to turn a 48-45 deficit into a 69-53 lead.

The Vikings (4-4, 1-1 GNAC) will return to action Dec. 18-19 hosting the Viking Holiday Hoops Classic Dec. in Carver Gym. WWU will host nationally-ranked West Texas A&M, Texas A&M International and Simon Fraser in the two-day tournament with games being played at 5 pm and 7:30 pm each day.