Box Score BOX SCORE

HILO, Hawaii – The Montana State University Billings' men's basketball team defeated the host of the Naniloa Volcanoes Resort Thanksgiving Tournament, University of Hawaii-Hilo, 67-61, Tuesday.

The Yellowjackets (4-1) were the only team at the tournament to win all three of their games, claiming the de facto tournament title. Cameron Cusworth led MSUB over UHH scoring 19 points. The senior made eight of his 12 attempts from the field. Jarrell Crayton and David Arnold added 14 and 12 points respectively. Kalob Hatcher dished out a season-high nine assists.

Montana State Billings shot 41.9 percent from the field in the victory, while the Vulcans shot 41.3 percent. MSUB extended its defense and held Hawaii-Hilo to 18 percent shooting from behind the perimeter. The Yellowjackets made seven of their 29 three-point attempts. MSU Billings finished 8-for-15 from the free-throw line, and UHH was 21-of-37 from the line.

The Yellowjacket defense forced 27 turnovers, but MSUB committed a season-high 20 turnovers. Hawaii-Hilo outrebounded Montana State Billings, 40-34. MSU Billings had a 35-15 advantage in points scored off of the bench.

The Vulcans had an eight point lead with 8:19 left in the first half, but MSU Billings rallied with a 10-0 run capped by a Crayton jumper. MSUB stretched its lead to five minutes later and had a 25-22 halftime advantage.

Hawaii-Hilo tied the score at 25 just into the second half, and had its last lead, 26-25, after a Brandon Thomas free-throw at the 18:42 mark of the second period. Sam Johnson gave Montana State Billings a double-digit lead, 44-34, with a jumper with 12:55 left in the game. MSUB had its largest lead, 61-44, with 5:19 remaining in regulation. UHH then made a 12-0 run over the next four minutes, cutting the lead to five points, 61-56. The Vulcans closed within three, 64-61, with 19 seconds remaining.

Hawaii-Hilo (1-3) was led by CJ Brown's 15 points, while Michael Melonas added 14 points. Melonas completed the double-double with 11 rebounds. Mychael Hearn also grabbed 11 rebounds.

The Yellowjackets are now 17-15 all-time versus Hawaii-Hilo, and 5-14 against the Vulcans in Hilo. The last meeting between the teams was in 2005, while the first meeting was in 1978.

Montana State Billings travels from the Big Island to the island of Honolulu to face Brigham Young-Hawaii (1-3). The Yellowjackets have off for Thanksgiving Thursday, but plays BYU-Hawaii Friday at 7:30 p.m. Hawaiian Time. Live video and stats will be available on MSUBSports.com. MSUB is 7-11 all-time versus the Seasiders, and just 1-8 in Laie against BYU-Hawaii. The last meeting was in 2005, a 118-84 win for the Seasiders.