NAMPA, Idaho - The Northwest Nazarene University women's basketball team outscored Montana State University Billings 40-12 in the opening 12 minutes and then cruised home for a 90-71 Great Northwest Athletic Conference victory on Saturday in Nampa.

The Crusaders (6-2 GNAC, 13-4) shot 64-percent (16-25) in the first half, hitting on 5-of-10 three pointers and 11-of-12 free throws.  MSUB (4-3 GNAC, 7-9) battled back after the opening run to outscore the hosts 19-8 in the final 7:50 of the half to trail 48-31 at the break.

An 11-4 Yellowjacket spurt to open the second half pulled the visitors to within 11 at 52-42 with 15:11 to play, but NNU responded over the next seven minutes with a 22-9 run to lead 74-51 with 7:51 to play.

The 'Jackets would again rally and trail by just 11 at 78-67 with 2:41 left, but NNU answered at the free throw line, hitting 10-of-10 in the final two minutes and ten seconds.

“We had some really bright offensive performances tonight,” commented NNU head coach Kelli Lindley.  “Any time you have four players hit double-digits, it makes it tough for the competition to key on anyone specific.”

Janee Olds and Jennifer Williams led the Crusaders, each scoring 18 points, while Lindsay Brady scored 12 and Nicki Schutte added 10.  Williams finished with a game-high seven rebounds as the Crusaders out-rebounded the 'Jackets 44-18.  NNU point guard Mallory Whipple scored seven points and handed out a season-high 10 assists.

“Rebounding has been a focus this week, so I was glad to see us produce on the glass,” Lindley added.  “We struggled to keep our focus at times tonight, but our defense responded and would push us back in front.”

Alira Carpenter, the GNAC scoring leader, led MSUB with a game-high 19 points.  Dani Henderson scored 17 and Kayla McPherson chipped in with 14.  MSUB shot 44-percent (28-63) from the field, but struggled from the arc, hitting just 3-of-20 three-pointers.  MSUB's Shantell Marquis broke the GNAC single-game steal record, held by four players including NNU's Whipple last season against Alaska Fairbanks, with 10 steals.

NNU will play just one game next weekend, a Saturday evening showdown with conference leader Seattle Pacific.  Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.