Peoples paces Lady Jackets to blowout win

Posted: Feb 2, 2012 10:43 PM by Scott Breen - Q2 Sports
Updated: Feb 2, 2012 10:58 PM

BILLINGS - Freshman Quinn Peoples was just one point shy of her career-high scoring 20, pacing MSUB's basketball women to a come-from-behind 88-72 win over Alaska Fairbanks Thursday night. Peoples also tied a career-high with five three-pointers.

With their 13th win in 16 games, the Yellowjackets improve to 16-7, 8-4 mark in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference. The Nanooks fall to 6-16 overall and 2-10 in the league.

"The first half was really a fast-paced half and we had a hard time guarding them, but they were doing a great job," said head coach Kevin Woodin. "They shot over 50% in the first half and it wasn't unexpected, but I have to give them credit because they were patient when they had to be and pushed it when they could. They were very well prepared for the game and made a lot of tough shots to where I felt fortunate to be close at half time.

"In the second half, we got down by eight early, but then our players really started to work the ball well offensively," Woodin said. "We were able to get the ball inside and out, making some perimeter shots that opened up the driving lanes for us. I was especially impressed with having 19 assists which is a very good number for our team."

Three Yellowjackets scored in double-digits as the squad hit on 43.8% (28-64) from the field. Three players were perfect from the charity stripe as the team hit 22-26 of their free throw attempts.

Sophomore guard Bobbi Knudsen, who was named to the Capital One NCAA Division II Women's Basketball Academic All-District Eight First Team earlier in the day, upped her scoring average with 19 points. Both Knudsen and Peoples hit on six of their 14 attempts and had four defensive rebounds. Knudsen ended the game 5-6 from the free throw line to go along with six rebounds, a game-high-tying five assists and one steal.

The Yellowjackets host eighth-ranked Alaska Anchorage Saturday night. The last time they met, the Seawolves survived 59-50 in Anchorage on Jan. 5.

"We have a lot of respect for Anchorage," stated Woodin. "It will be another good measuring stick for us as to where we are at this point in the season."

Tipoff is slated for 7 p.m. and the night is being dubbed the second "2 for $2" of the week. Any patron who brings two canned goods to the game will be admitted for just $2.