(MSUB Athletics release)
PORTLAND, Ore. – The best two games of the 2018-19 season by Montana State University Billings women’s basketball freshman Taryn Shelley resulted in Great Northwest Athletic Conference Player of the Week honors, announced by the conference office on Thursday.
The Shoreline, Washington native put together her first collegiate double-double in Tuesday’s 48-47 win over Maryville University, as she scored 19 points and grabbed 15 rebounds. She followed that with eight points and nine boards in Wednesday’s 89-66 defeat against No. 21 Angelo State University.
“Taryn put together her best overall week yet as a Yellowjacket,” said MSUB head coach Kevin Woodin. “She had a huge double-double for us against Maryville State and played a key role in our victory against them. I believe she is getting more comfortable offensively on what we like to do, and she is a threat to score from multiple spots on the floor. In addition, Taryn has been more active and disciplined on defense. Her rebounding has improved at both ends and she blocked or altered numerous opponent shots in Florida. I know Taryn will continue to get better over the rest of her freshman season.”
Despite playing just 27 minutes against the Saints, Shelley made 8 of 12 shots from the field and all three of her free throws en route to her highest scoring game of the season on Tuesday. Her 15 rebounds were the most by a Yellowjacket this season, and she also had a block and a steal while not turning the ball over in the game.
On Wednesday, Shelley stood out defensively with a season-high four blocked shots to go along with a pair of assists and a steal. Her nine boards led the team, and she has been MSUB’s top rebounder in 5 of 8 games this season. She was the first player with a double-double of at least 15 points and 15 rebounds since Alisha Breen had a 21-point, 16-rebound effort in a 78-58 win over Central Washington on Feb. 8, 2018. Wednesday marked the first four-block game by an MSUB player since Breen had four on Jan. 20, 2018 against Concordia University.
Shelley leads the team with 6.9 rebounds per game, while ranking fourth in scoring with 7.1 points. Her rebounding average is good for No. 8 in the GNAC, and she is third in the league with 1.6 blocked shots per game.
This is the first GNAC Player of the Week award for Shelley and for the MSUB women’s basketball team this season. MSUB is 4-4 on the year, and resumes its 2018-19 schedule when it hosts Saint Martin’s University on Jan. 3 and Seattle Pacific University on Jan. 5 at Alterowitz Gym.
