Yellowjackets down Argos
BILLINGS - A poor shooting night for the University of Great Falls women’s basketball team overshadowed a solid defensive effort, as the Argos fell 49-43 to Montana State-Billings in an exhibition contest here Saturday evening.
Argos’ head coach Bill Himmelberg said UGF wasn’t able to get into a rhythm offensively, but had a great night on the defensive end.
“We had a tough night shooting,” Himmelberg said of his team, which shot just over 26 percent from the floor. “We just couldn’t seem to find the basket which was kind of unusual because we did such a good job shooting last week against (10th ranked) Wayland Baptist.
“I was really proud of our defensive tonight. To hold them to 27 percent from the floor was great.”
Argos’ senior guard Erin Legel led all scorers with 22 points on top of five boards and three assists.
Junior forward Nneka Nnadi struggled from the floor for UGF, scoring only two points on 1-9 shooting.
Choteau native Alisha Breen led the way for MSU-Billings, scoring 14 points and pulling in nine rebounds. Helena High alum Monica Grimsrud poured in 12 points for the Yellowjackets.
MSU-Billings outrebounded the Argos 42-31, wrangling 16 offensive boards.
“We didn’t do a very good job rebounding,” Himmelberg said. “16 offensive rebounds is way too many.”
The Argos held tough in the first half, holding MSU-Billings to only 13 points at the break, leading 18-13.
“Great Falls was well-prepared and played a great first half,” MSUB head coach Kevin Woodin said. “We really struggled on the offensive end in the beginning. We had too many unforced turnovers and shot the ball extremely poorly so I give Coach Himmelberg’s team a lot of credit.”
The Yellowjackets, however, picked up their play in the third, outscoring UGF 21-10 to take a 34-28 advantage heading into the final period.
The teams battled on even terms in the fourth, each scoring 15.
Legel brought the Argos to within three with under a minute to go, hitting a three-pointer.
Legel went for the tie with fifteen seconds remaining, but her shot was blocked and Janiel Olson hit three of four free throws as UGF was forced to foul, securing the 49-43 victory.
Himmelberg credited the Yellowjackets’ defensive effort.
“MSU-Billings did a great job of defending us,” Himmelberg said. “They’re a very quality team.”
The Argos sit at 6-2 on the season and will stay on the road for a Frontier Conference game against Montana Western on Dec. 3, before heading back to Billings to take on Rocky Mountain College on Dec. 5.