Box score (PDF)
 
SEATTLE – No matter what they tried, the Seattle Pacific Falcons just couldn't make Jeanann Lemelin miss on Saturday afternoon.
 
Lemelin hit 10 of 12 shots from behind the 3-point line and 11 of 13 overall, scoring 32 points as Montana State Billings beat SPU in a Great Northwest Athletic Conference women's basketball game in Brougham Pavilion, 91-66.
 
The Yellowjackets senior got 20 of her points in the second half, with 15 during the fourth quarter.
 
Falcons senior guard Hailee Bennett had a big day on Iron Coaching Court as well, pouring in 21 points on 7-of-10 shooting from the field.
 
Unlike last month's game in Montana that had nine ties and 15 lead changes before SPU went on to win, 69-63, the lead went back and forth just twice on Saturday.
 
The Falcons (8-18, 6-12 GNAC) went ahead for the only time, 9-8, on a 3-pointer by senior guard Madi HIngston with 4:27 left in the first quarter. The Yellowjackets (14-13, 9-9 GNAC) took it right back on their next possession when Hannah Collins drained a trey.
 
Montana State Billings scored on its first two possessions after halftime to go up 41-28, and the margin never dipped below double digits the rest of the day.
 
BY THE NUMBERS
-- The last player to go for 30 points against SPU was Simon Fraser's Sophie Swant with 34 on Feb. 14, 2019.
-- Of MSUB's 33 field goals, more than half (18) were from downtown. The Jackets hit 18 of 26 from long range, 15 of 33 from closer to the hoop for a final mark of 55.9 percent (33 of 59).
-- The Falcons shot 43.4 percent (23 of 53) and a very respectable 44.4 (8 of 18) from behind the arc.
-- Sophomore forward Natalie Hoff added 11 points and eight rebounds for SPU.
-- Seattle Pacific was without leading scorer and rebounder Ashlynn Burgess for the fourth straight game due to an injury.
 
TOURNAMENT TALK
The Falcons were knocked out of contention for a GNAC Tournament berth on Thursday when Central Washington beat Western Oregon and Saint Martin's defeated Montana State Billings. The Yellowjackets, however, now have pulled into a tie with the Saints for the sixth and final spot, as both are 9-9.
 
UP NEXT
SPU winds up the season this coming week with a pair of home games. Northwest Nazarene visits Brougham Pavilion on Thursday at 5:15 p.m., followed by Central Washington next Saturday at 2:00 p.m. The game against the Wildcats will be Senior Day in honor of Hailee Bennett and Madi Hingston.
 
Both games also are the openers of doubleheaders. The Falcon men take on the same opponents: NNU on Thursday at 7:30, and Central Washington on Saturday at 4:15.
 
 
NCAA WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
Saturday, Feb. 22, 2020
Brougham Pavilion / Seattle, Wash.
 
Montana State Billings 91, Seattle Pacific 66
 
MONTANA STATE BILLINGS (14-13, 9-9 GNAC)
Shelley 4-10 0-0 8, Cunningham 1-3 0-0 3, Collins 5-11 3-4 16, Montague 4-4 0-0 11, Lemelin 11-13 0-0 32, St. John 1-4 0-0 3, Zahn 2-5 0-0 4, Gardner 0-0 0-0 0, Williams 0-0 0-0 0, Manuel 5-9 4-9 14, Blakely 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 33-59 7-9 91.
 
SEATTLE PACIFIC (8-18, 6-12 GNAC)
Alter 3-8 0-0 7, Hoff 3-8 5-7 11, Bennett 7-10 5-6 21, Berg 0-1 0-0 0, Hingston 2-7 0-0 6, Rexach Roure 1-6 0-0 2, Brennan 2-7 2-2 8, Brundidge 3-4 0-0 6, Sterk 2-2 0-0 5. Totals 23-53 12-15 66.
 
Montana State Billings     19          18          24          30          -- 91
Seattle Pacific                   13          15          17          21          -- 66
 
3-point goals – MSUB 18-26 (Cunningham 1-3, Collins 3-5, Montague 3-3, Lemelin 10-12, St. John 1-2, Zahn 0-1), SPU 8-18 (Alter 1-1, Bennett 2-4, Berg 0-1, Hingston 2-5, Rexach Roure 0-1, Brennan 2-5, Sterk 1-1). Fouled out – None. Rebounds – MSUB 30 (Shelley 7), SPU 29 (Hoff 8). Assists – MSUB 22 (St. John 6), SPU 14 (Berg 3, Hingston 3). Turnovers – MSUB 8, SPU 13. Total fouls – MSUB 12, SPU 9. Technical fouls – None. Attendance – 341.
 
 
Next game
Northwest Nazarene at Seattle Pacific
Thursday, Feb. 27     5:15 p.m.
Brougham Pavilion / Seattle, Wash.