By Cole Brower
Montana State Billings Upends No. 2 Seed Hawai'i Pacific
Montana State University Billings moves on to the NCAA Division II West Region Semifinals after beating Hawaii Pacific University 76-65.
Senior guard Rylee Kane led the Yellowjacket offense in the first quarter with 10 points, and at the end of the period, the score was tied at 14.
Montana State University Billings was able to pull away from the Sharks in the second quarter, beginning the period with six unanswered points. Midway through the quarter, the Yellowjacket lead was up to 11 points, but Hawaii Pacific was determined to answer. Senior guard Spencer Gray and junior Samantha Lambrigtsen began the comeback attempt nearing the end of the half, and the Yellowjacket lead was cut to just three points after a layup from Jessica Harley.
However, two buckets from Kane would slow the Sharks’ momentum, and give Montana State University Billings a six point lead at the break.
The teams again traded buckets in the third quarter, and Billings was only able to increase their lead to seven points headed into the final 10 minutes of play.
The Yellowjackets were able to pull away in the fourth quarter, using a 16-point surge from senior Alisha Breen. Willing the offense for the Sharks was Lambrigtsen, who had 12 points in the fourth quarter herself.
Senior guard Spencer Gray narrowly missed out on a double-double, finishing with nine points, nine rebounds, and four assists. Lambrigtsen finished the night with 22 points, Alysha Marcucci contributed nine points and five boards for the Sharks.
Montana State University Billings was led by Alisha Breen, who ended the night with 22 points, 12 rebounds, and five assists. Rylee Kane finished the game with 19 points, and Vanessa Stavish finished with 13 points and six rebounds.
The Yellowjackets will face UC San Diego in the West Region Semifinals at 5 p.m. on Saturday.
