Box Score

SPEARFISH, S.Dakota. – The Montana State University Billings Men's Basketball team got swept off the court in a 97-77 loss to Black Hills State University Saturday night.

MSUB only trailed by one at halftime 42-43, on the back of Jonathan Mesghna's 13 points. Connor Donaldosn and Kalob Hatcher each had 7 at the half. Both teams had three turnovers, which would take a turn for the worse in the second half for MSUB.

BHS would force seven second half MSUB turnovers while MSUB could only force two more. But what really hurt MSUB was the second chance points. MSUB gave up a staggering 30 second chance points to BHS. MSUB was out rebounded 34-27, doubled up MSUB on points off turnovers 16-8 and held a slight shot percentage advantage shooting 51.7 percent from the field while MSUB shot 50.0 percent. MSUB struggled from behind the arc for the second straight game going 5-19 for 26.3 percent.

MSUB had a couple individuals provide sparse bright spots. Mesghna had a game high 23 points to go with five rebounds and two assists; Hatcher had 15 points, six assists and three rebounds, Devon Wallace had 11 points in the second half and a total of 13 points, three rebounds and three assists.

BHS had six players in double figures and nine players score in the game. Tommy Earl led BHS with 17 points, Reily Ryan 15 and Myles Henry scored 14 both coming off the bench. Overall the BHS bench scored 44 points while the MSUB bench only managed to score 11.

The game was the home opener from BHS who is now 1-0 on the season; MSUB drops two 1-3 on the year.

"We played well for about the first ten minutes and then Black Hills took the game over for the last 30.," Head Coach Jamie Stevens Said. "We are going through a tough patch right now and the only thing we can do is keep fighting and continue to work. My staff and I take full responsibility for our early season slump and we will get better moving forward."

MSUB next plays Rocky Mountain College on Nov. 20th at 7:00 P.M. at Alterowitz Gym in Billings. It will be the 168th time the two rivals meet.