BILLINGS, Mont. – Trevor Jasinsky scored a season-best 20 points by knocking down 5 of 8 threes for visiting Western Washington University on Thursday night, as the No. 15 Vikings avenged a loss to Montana State University Billings on New Year's Eve with an 81-68 triumph over the Yellowjackets at Alterowitz Gym in Great Northwest Athletic Conference men's basketball action.

Jamie Stevens Postgame on ESPN 910 KBLG: 

Jasinsky's big night was complemented by 18 points from senior Jeffrey Parker – half of which came on free-throws – as the Vikings won despite falling 10 points shy of their GNAC-leading season-scoring average of 91.2 points per game.
 
The Yellowjackets were led by a 27-point, 10-rebound double-double from sophomore Preston Beverly, who made 8 of 10 shots from the floor and 8 of 10 free-throws while coming up one point shy of his career high. Jace Anderson hit four of MSUB's 11 threes in the game and finished with 18 points, but it wasn't enough to stop the Yellowjackets' losing streak from reaching three games. 

"I thought the guys had a good effort tonight, and we actually guarded a really good offensive team well," said MSUB head coach Jamie Stevens. "We missed open shots on a consistent basis, had some unnecessary turnovers, and just didn't make enough plays."
 
MSUB (11-8, 6-5 GNAC) shot just 33.8 percent from the field (22-for-65), and 35.5 percent from beyond the arc (11-for-31). The Vikings were also well below their conference-leading shooting percentages from both the

field (50.5 percent) and the arc (42.3 percent), making 24 of 60 shots overall (40.0 percent) and 8 of 23 threes (34.8 percent).
 
Two of those eight treys came on back-to-back possessions by Jasinsky early in the second half, a pair of big buckets that gave WWU its first double-digit lead of the night at 50-39. It kicked off a wider run of 23-10 that pushed the Vikings to a 19-point lead and ultimately dug the 'Jackets into an insurmountable deficit.
 
With 7:35 to go, Parker showed his expertise by poking loose a steal on the defensive end, and trailing a fast-break play moving towards his team's basket. Stafford timed a layoff pass perfectly, and Parker took off from inside the key for a loud, contested dunk that gave the Vikings their largest lead at 70-50.
 
MSUB rallied late to get within single digits down 77-68 with less than a minute to go, but WWU made all four of its free throws in the final 47 seconds to seal the victory.
 
Marc Matthews contributed 10 points for MSUB, but no other Yellowjacket besides the top-three scorers had more than five points. Junior Kendall Denham contributed five points and five rebounds off the bench, and Jordan Perry also grabbed five boards in 15 minutes.

WWU narrowly won the battle of the boards, 44-41, as Daulton Hommes, Logan Schilder, and Deandre Dickson all tied for the team high with seven apiece. Dickson dominated the game under the basket, with four blocked shots and 15 points on 6 of 8 shooting in the game. The junior forward also drilled a long three just as time expired in the first half, dampening MSUB's spirits as the Vikings took a 39-31 edge into the locker room.
 
It took 90 seconds for the first bucket of the game to fall, as Beverly gave the 'Jackets their only lead of the night after five combined missed shots to start the evening. The Vikings went on to score 16 points off 15 MSUB turnovers on the night, while the 'Jackets were able to manage just eight points on a dozen WWU giveaways. Making his fourth start of the season, point guard Blake Fernandez played a complete game with 10 points, four rebounds, two assists, and a pair of steals in 35 strong minutes.
 
THE BUZZ: Beverly was picked as the St. Vincent Healthcare Player of the Game…it was his fifth double-double of the season and 12th of his career…MSUB is now 6-21 all-time against WWU, and 4-9 in games at Alterowitz Gym…Stafford, who entered the game No. 3 in the GNAC with 22.0 points per game, was held to less than 10 points for the first time this season as he finished with eight…the three-game skid is the longest of the year for the 'Jackets.
 
COMING UP: The Yellowjackets host last-place Simon Fraser on Saturday night, as Clan head to Alterowitz Gym at 0-11 in league play. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m., and live video with play-by-play commentary and live statistics will be available through MSUB's Stretch Internet portal here.