BILLINGS, Mont. – Dom Hunter scored 22 points for visiting Alaska Anchorage as the Seawolves collected a 70-62 Great Northwest Athletic Conference men's basketball victory over Montana State University Billings Saturday night in Alterowitz Gym.
 
A scoring drought that lasted 2:02 in the game's final four minutes ultimately did the Yellowjackets in, as UAA was able to build a two-possession lead and convert free-throws down the stretch to earn the victory.
 
"This was a really even game, but over the last four minutes we missed shots and they hit a big three in the corner that was the difference," said MSUB head coach Jamie Stevens. "Dom Hunter hurt us. We liked how we guarded him but he just made some big shots."
 
The Seawolves (9-8, 5-2 GNAC) received 14 points from Travis Thompson and 10 from Brian McGill to go along with Hunter's game-high 22. Sjur Berg led the team in rebounding with nine, and Hunter also had four assists.
 
After a career-high 27 points against Alaska Fairbanks on Thursday, MSUB sophomore Jace Anderson connected on 7 of 12 shots including 3 of 7 from 3-point range to lead his team with 19 points. Momir Gataric was also in double figures with 17 points, and he played a well-rounded game with six rebounds, five assists, a steal and no turnovers.
 
"Jace and Momir were both really good tonight," Stevens said. "Jace hit some big shots, and some off-balance shots too. We have talked to Momir all year about how good he can be when he limits his turnovers, and tonight he did that."
 
Threes by Kevin Bowman and McGill helped UAA sneak out to an early 8-7 lead, and Tyler Nelson had five points and four rebounds in the first five minutes for the 'Jackets.
 
A Brad Mears bucket helped UAA to within two points midway through the first, and an offensive rebound by the senior on the next possession led to a three by Hunter to give the Seawolves a 21-20 lead.
 
An Anderson three put MSUB back on top with less than three minutes remaining in the first, making the score 31-29. Failing to score on the final possession of the first half, the Yellowjackets took a 36-35 edge into the locker rooms.
 
McGill connected on a second-chance 3-pointer to open the second period, and Anderson responded with a long jumper to pull the score even at 38-38.
 
Hunter drilled another three for the Seawolves, and Nelson flushed a pair of free-throws to help MSUB stay down by just one, 47-46. A three by Christian Leckband on the Seawolves' next possession made the spread four, but Gataric picked up an offensive rebound and finished a bucket as MSUB refused to let UAA pull away.
 
Anderson completed a three-point play the next time down the court as MSUB edged ahead 51-50. Thompson and Leckband had threes on back-to-back possessions for the Seawolves, as UAA began to gain momentum into the closing minutes.
 
Gataric finished a layup with 1:48 remaining, but the bucket was the last of the night for MSUB as Hunter and Leckband each made a pair of free-throws in the final minute.
 
On the game MSUB (4-14, 2-6 GNAC) outrebounded UAA 33-30 and won the matchup on points in the paint, 26-16. Kendall Denham had five assists and five points for the 'Jackets, and Emmanuel Johnson finished with nine points and four boards.
 
As a team the Yellowjackets shot 41.8 percent from the field (23-for-55), 42.1 percent from 3-point range (8-for-19), and 61.5 percent from the foul line (8-for-13).
 
The Seawolves connected on 11 of 23 shots from beyond the arc and shot 43.1 percent from the floor overall (22-for-51). UAA also benefitted from a free-throw percentage of 75.0, and Thompson was a perfect 8-for-8.
 
Gataric's effort earned him St. Vincent Healthcare Player of the Game honors. Nelson finished with seven points and 11 rebounds. "Tyler did exactly what we expect Tyler to do," Stevens said. "He plays hard all the time and we know what we're going to get from him.
 
"We are excited about the challenge facing Seattle Pacific next week," Stevens continued. "They are a great team and a great program, and our guys are excited to play a team of that caliber."
 
AHEAD: With only one game next week, the 'Jackets will play host to Seattle Pacific on Jan. 24. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. at Alterowitz Gym.