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BILLINGS, Mont. -- In a slugfest at Alterowitz Gymnasium Friday night, the Montana State Billings men's basketball team earned a 98-94 victory in overtime over visiting Chadron State College, winning the season-opener for both teams.
 
“Obviously any win is a good win,” said MSUB head coach Jamie Stevens. “However, we have a lot of work to do on both ends of the court. I was pleased with our effort and our ability to force turnovers. We have to rebound better and have better composure on the offensive end. I still believe we can play better and it's nice to get a chance to go out tomorrow and hopefully do that.”
 
MSUB senior Antoine Proctor led all scorers with 27 points and grabbed eight rebounds to lead the Yellowjackets in the game. Four other players scored in double figures as Jaxon Myaer had 18 points and narrowly missed a double-double with nine assists.
 
The Yellowjacket (1-0) slowly picked up their shooting as the game went on, shooting 66.7 percent in the overtime period and 45.2 percent for the game. The Jackets struggled behind the arc, going just 11 of 32 from deep and shot just 31 of 43 from the line.
 
The Eagles (0-1) received 21 points from Kendrick Holliman and also got a healthy 18 points and nine boards from Kevin McClelland. Sammy Hines and Chris Curtis each chipped in 16 points apiece and combined for 12 rebounds. CSC was 32 of 64 from the field and was just 3 of 12 from deep.
 
In a foul-filled first half that saw both teams combine for 32 fouls, MSUB built a lead of six points three times, but carried a 44-40 lead into the half.
 
The Yellowjackets looked to have delivered a knockout blow in the second half with the game tied at 56-56. Senior Robert Mayes knocked down two of 13 points after drawing a foul, sending the Jackets on a 16-3 run over the next four plus minutes to extend the MSUB lead to 72-59 with 7:05 remaining.
 
The Eagles countered as they worked the lead back down to two, 77-75, with 3:10 to go after a tip-in by Tim McDavid off a Curtis miss.
 
The two sides traded buckets down the stretch when Curtis drove the lane again and got a layup to go with 40 seconds left to tie the game at 83-83. Proctor put the Jacket back up by two with 11 seconds on the clock, but McClelland drove to the hoop and got a finger roll to fall at the buzzer to send the game into overtime.
 
Chadron State built a four point lead after the tip to begin the overtime period, but a huge three-pointer by Myaer brought the Jackets back to within one at 88-89. After making a stop, Proctor knocked down a pair of free throws to put the Jackets ahead for good at the 3:12 mark.
 
MSUB would build a seven point lead, 96-89, with 1:29 left on the clock and MSUB would hit free throws down the stretch to hold on to the win and give Coach Stevens his first official win at his alma matre.
 
The Yellowjackets created 36 points off of 33 turnovers, while turning the ball over 23 times. The Eagles dominated the paint, outscoring MSUB 50-18 and had 23 second chance points. The CSC bench also outscored the Jackets 35-34 as the Eagles won the rebounding battle as well 47-31.
 
The Yellowjackets will now turn around and play again tomorrow afternoon at 3:30 p.m. as part of a doubleheader with the women's basketball team. The Jackets will take on Northern New Mexico College in the final home game before embarking on their first road trip of the season.