GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – Despite an ice-cold start offensively on Saturday afternoon, the Montana State University Billings men's basketball team rallied to defeat Western State Colorado University 86-77 in the finale of a three-game road trip at Brownson Arena on the campus of Colorado Mesa University.
 
Preston Beverly and Jace Anderson led the 'Jackets with 16 points apiece, while Kendall Denham added 14 and Christian Evans added 13. MSUB had a 5-0 lead just 90 seconds into the game, but a dry spell that lasted the next eight minutes put the team into a 13-5 hole.
 
Outside of the offensive lull when the team went 0-for-12, MSUB shot 55.8 percent from the floor (29-for-52) for the rest of the game, including 11 made 3-pointers en route to its third straight victory. The 'Jackets pushed their record over .500 at 4-3 with the win, while Western State Colorado fell to 1-3 with the loss.
 
"I couldn't be more impressed with how these guys responded this week," said MSUB head coach Jamie Stevens. "We were about as low as we could be as a team last Saturday, and they just completed one of the better weeks we have had since I have been here. All credit goes to the guys' effort and execution, and they were awesome." 

A layup by Marc Matthews with just under 11 minutes to go in the first snapped a 13-0 run by the Mountaineers, an eight-minute stretch where the 'Jackets shot 0-for-12 from the floor. Beverly followed with a block and

his first points of the game on a layup, as MSUB stayed close, down 17-11 midway through the half.
 
A steal and layup by Jordan Perry pulled MSUB within two points, as WSCU called a timeout with its lead cut to 33-31 with 1:59 to play in the opening half. A nice hustle-play by Zack Lessinger opened up another fast-break chance for the 'Jackets, and Cinco Durr found Matthews in the corner for a wide-open three that gave MSUB its first lead since the opening minutes.
 
The teams headed into the halftime break even at 36-36, and the pace stayed level as the score moved to 44-44 to start the second.


Beverly, Sven Jeuschede, and Christian Evans knocked down three straight treys to swing momentum, helping the 'Jackets regain the lead up 50-44. Denham completed a three-point play after a strong take to the rim, as the 'Jackets continued their scoring run and built a 12-point lead midway through the second.
 
MSUB's edge peaked at 67-53, but Western State hung around into the closing part of the period. Ben Beauchamp connected on a three with 49.5 seconds left, giving the Mountaineers a final breath of hope down 80-71.
 
Anderson and Denham combined to go 4-for-4 from the foul line in the final minute however, and Denham sealed the game with another steal and fast-break layup. "Kendall was a spark all week for us," Stevens said. "Whatever swag he has going right now, I hope he can bring it back to Billings with him." It was the second straight game that Denham made a clutch play in the waning minutes, as he helped ice Friday's win over Colorado Mesa with a pair of late layups.
 
Overall MSUB shot a solid 45.3 percent from the floor, compared to a mark of 37.7 percent for Western State. The Mountaineers made 9 of 19 3-pointers (47.4 percent), and were led by 17 points from Beauchamp as well as Collin Smith. Monroe Porter was also in double figures with 10 points, and Branden Cosby-Lee led all players with 11 rebounds. The Mountaineers out-rebounded the 'Jackets 43-37, but committed 16 turnovers while MSUB had only 10.
 
Beverly was one rebound shy of a double-double, as he led the 'Jackets with nine. The sophomore also tied a career-best with four blocks, and had two assists and a steal in 29 minutes. Kamal Tall finished with seven points and five rebounds, and Lessinger came through with six points and five rebounds in 11 minutes off the bench. Durr led MSUB with four assists.
 
THE BUZZ: Denham was named the St. Vincent Healthcare Player of the Game…MSUB is now 4-2 in games played away from home this season…the 'Jackets improved to 3-1 all-time against the Mountaineers…this is MSUB's longest road winning streak since the 2012-13 season, when the 'Jackets won three in-a-row from Nov. 19-21 away from Alterowitz Gym in Hilo, Hawaii.
 
NEXT WEEK: The Yelowjackets return home to open Great Northwest Athletic Conference play at Alterowitz Gym. MSUB will host Concordia University on Dec. 3 at 7 p.m., and Western Oregon University on Dec. 5 at 7 p.m. Both games will feature live video with play-by-play commentary and live statistics, available through MSUB's Stretch Internet portal here.