BILLINGS, Mont. --- The Western Oregon women's basketball team fell to No. 5 Montana State Billings 53-36 on Thursday night at Alterowitz Gymnasium.

The Wolves (6-7, 2-3) fell behind 8-1 to start the game and trailed 16-10 at the end of one. It looked as if WOU may go in at half only down six to the nationally ranked Yellowjackets (15-2, 4-0) when Bella Pedrojetti hit a 3-pointer late in the second quarter - but MSUB scored to make it 29-21 at the half before outscoring the Wolves 15-7 in the third to pull away.

Defensively, WOU held MSUB to 31.7 percent shooting from the field - but shot just 28.8 percent itself, including 2-for-14 from 3-point range to go along with 4-for-12 from the free throw line.

MilaSarai Tau came off the bench to lead the Wolves with 11 points to go along with six rebounds. Enid Vaifanua and Pedrojetti each added eight points.

WOU returns to action Saturday at Seattle Pacific.