MISSOULA -- The Montana Lady Griz hosted MSU Billings for their final non-conference women's basketball game of the season on Friday night. After a second-quarter rally from the Yellowjackets, the Lady Griz adjusted in the second half to win 70-53.
The Lady Griz began the game with solid offense and tenacious defense to end the first quarter with a dominant 20-9 lead. However, in the second quarter it was the Yellowjackets who caught fire from beyond the arc to make it an interesting game at the half. MSUB went on a 13-0 run in the middle of the quarter led by Taylor Cunningham who finished the game 3 for 5 from deep.
After the 13-0 run the Yellowjackets held a 27-25 lead that was quickly taken away. The Lady Griz ended the half on a 7-0 run to take the 32-27 lead into the half. In the second half, Montana stepped on the gas pedal and cruised past MSUB. Montana outscored the Yellowjackets 38-26 in the half led by five Grizzlies who all finished with more than 10 points. Taylor Goligoski and McKenzie Johnston led the charge, each finishing with a plus-minus of plus-18.
Madi Schoening came off the bench and finished with 11 points. Emma Stockholm went 5 of 9 from the field and finished with 11 points, as well. It was the fourth-highest point total for Montana, while only shot six 3-pointers.
On the other side of that, MSUB shot the deep ball 26 times but only connected on six of those shots. Cunningham finished with 11 points. Taryn Shelley led all scorers with 15 points.
Montana (5-4 overall) now heads on break before starting conference play on Dec. 28 on the road against Northern Arizona (3-6).