GOLDEN, Colo. – The Regis University women's basketball team took on Montana State University Billings in the Thanksgiving Classic on Friday, but came up short, 84-61.

The Rangers (3-1 overall) had three different players finish in double-digit points, but came up short as the Yellowjackets (6-1 overall) grabbed 19 more rebounds and shot a total of 14 three-pointers.

"I thought we played hard against an excellent basketball team. We scrambled and we wanted it but the things that were normally our strengths were the opposite tonight," said Regis women's basketball head coach, Molly Marrin. "So those are things that we have to get back to and what we know how to do and things we know how to do well, like rebounding the basketball and shooting it well. Those two things not going our way and them being red-hot with 14 threes is tough to overcome."

How It Happened: The Rangers came out strong in the first quarter, shooting 7-for-14 (50%) from the field to the Yellowjackets' 38% (7-for-18), but a quiet, nine-point second quarter from Regis inflated MSU Billings' lead to 15 at halftime.

Regis forced a total of 14 turnovers, including nine steals, while combining for a total of 45 points in the second half to try and mount a comeback, but fell short at the final buzzer. 

The Rangers are a team that average 41.0 RPG, but only grabbed 27 boards to the Yellowjackets' 46. 

"We just want to be solid and continue to be who we are," said Marrin. "We want to take away their first look, that's what we scout. But I think something that hurt us is gambling a little too much defensively and gave up rebounding positions. That's something we don't normally do. If we can stay more solid and a little more disciplined defensively off the ball, that'll help our rebounding."

Junior guard Athena Saragoza led all Rangers in points with 16, going 6-for-12 (50%) from the field and 4-for-6 (66%) from the charity stripe. 

Joining Saragoza in double-digits was Thornton-native Sam Deem with 15 points and senior guard Erin Fry with 13.

At the glass, fourth-year Madison Diercks grabbed a team-high 10 rebounds while also recording a steal.

"I thought Athena played well. She didn't hit a three which is a strength of hers and she still found a way. I thought us having nine turnovers was excellent and we did a great job getting to the free throw line, we shot 21 free throws," said Marrin. "But we definitely need to shoot our free throws better so we've been working on that and getting those up. We attacked well, played until the last minute, I'm proud of them, they're an excellent basketball team and we have to bounce back and be ready tomorrow."

Game Notes:

• Regis won the steals and turnovers battle, recording 10 and 9 respectively to the Yellowjackets' 4 and 14
• Tonight's matchup was the third straight game Madison Diercks finished in double-digit rebounds (10)
• MSU Billings outrebounded Regis 46-27

Up Next: The Rangers wrap up their Thanksgiving Classic against Cameron University on Saturday. Tipoff is set for 7 PM at the Lockridge Arena.

"Cameron is undersized like we are, they're athletic and aggressive," Marrin said. "I think from a size standpoint it's a better matchup for us, but they've got a 19-point scorer who's really athletic so she'll be a handful and their guards are super scrappy. We're just going to get back to being us and rebounding and defending and hope that our offense comes out on top."