Skip To Main Content

Rocky Mountain College Athletics

Rocky Mountain College Battlin' Bears

Events and Results

Events and Results

Moran vs MSUB '26
Bailee Walls
70
Winner Montana State University Billings MSUB 1-0, 0-0
54
Rocky Mountain (MT) ROCKY 2-1, 0-0
Winner
Montana State University Billings MSUB
1-0, 0-0
70
Final
54
Rocky Mountain (MT) ROCKY
2-1, 0-0
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Montana State University Billings MSUB 20 12 18 20 70
Rocky Mountain (MT) ROCKY 13 16 17 8 54

Game Recap: Women's Basketball |

#12 Rocky Women’s Basketball Battles, Falls Short in Rimrock Rivalry Exhibition

BILLINGS, Mont.- Despite a career night from Iliana Moran, #12 Rocky Women's Basketball came up short in the fourth quarter, falling in an exhibition rivalry matchup against MSU Billings.

While exhibition-game statistics do not count toward official season records, guard Iliana Moran surpassed her career high with 26 points in the loss.

How It Happened
After Iliana Moran's jumper gave Rocky an early 4-3 lead less than two minutes into the game, the Yellowjackets caught fire, unleashing a 17-6 run over the next six minutes. The Battlin' Bears struggled to shoot just 2-of-9 from the field during that stretch, allowing MSUB to build a 20-10 lead with just over a minute remaining in the opening period before taking a seven-point advantage into the second quarter.

Rocky's defense responded early in the second quarter, holding the Yellowjackets to 1-of-6 shooting to start as Moran helped spark a 7-2 spurt to trim the deficit to two. Though the remainder of the period featured back-and-forth action, the Battlin' Bears defense held MSU Billings scoreless for nearly three minutes to close the half. Moran continued to pace the Rocky offense, tallying 17 first-half points. The Yellowjackets snapped their scoring drought in the final 20 seconds, pushing their lead to 32-29 at halftime.

The Battlin' Bears came out firing in the third quarter, knocking down four of their first six shots to reclaim a 38-34 lead with 6:45 left in the period. Although Rocky's offense went cold over the next four minutes, the defense held firm to keep the game tied at 40-40 following a pair of free throws from Tailyn Black with three minutes remaining. MSU Billings surged late in the quarter, sinking their final four field goals, including a pair of three-pointers, to carry a four-point advantage into the final frame.

The Yellowjackets dominated the fourth quarter, opening the period with a 12-3 run to push Rocky into a double-digit deficit. Seven Rocky turnovers and six MSUB offensive rebounds in the final ten minutes proved decisive, securing a 70-54 exhibition victory for the Yellowjackets.

Notable Statistics
Iliana Moran scored a team-high 26 points, along with four rebounds and three assists. Her performance eclipsed her previous career high of 25 points, set in November 2023. Isabelle Heggem added a double-double, finishing with 13 points, 11 rebounds, and four blocks.

Overall shooting efficiency was closely matched, with Rocky shooting 37.3 percent from the field and 35.7 percent from three-point range, while MSU Billings finished at 37.5 percent from the field and 31.8 percent from deep. However, extra possessions proved to be the difference maker, as MSUB grabbed 21 offensive rebounds and forced 20 Battlin' Bear turnovers, converting them into 19 second-chance points and 21 points off turnovers.

MSU Billings was led by Cassie Chesnut, who recorded a game-high 28 points, 12 rebounds, and six steals.

Up Next
No. 12 Rocky Women's Basketball (2-0) hits the road next weekend to compete in the Beacon Classic, hosted by Bushnell University in Eugene, Oregon. The Battlin' Bears will take on host Bushnell and Corban University.



 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To stay up-to-date with the latest Rocky Athletics news, visit www.gobattlinbears.com.
FOLLOW YOUR BATTLIN' BEARS
Facebook: Rocky Mountain College Battlin' Bears Athletics
Instagram: @BattlinBears
X (formerly Twitter): @BattlinBears
 
Print Friendly Version