HAYWARD, Calif.– The Yellowjacket offense converted 12 three-pointers as the Montana State University Billings basketball team (1-0) defeated the California State University East Bay Pioneers (0-1) 74-72 in the season opener Friday.
 
"It is always great to win," head coach Jamie Stevens said after the game. "We always say college games are really hard to win and our guys fought really hard to gut this one out, We still have a long way to go, but the journey continues tomorrow against a very good Sonoma State team."
 
Zack Rollins and Tyler Green shouldered the load for the MSUB offense as the duo scored 42 points while burying 10 of 15 shots from beyond the arch. Rollins was the most efficient offensive threat for the 'Jackets as he hit all five of his three-point attempts and added two field goals and a free throw to account for 20 points. Green led the 'Jackets with 22 points while shooting 50 percent from three.
 
"Zack and Tyler were huge in their 'Jacket debuts." Stevens added about the pair of transfers. "I look forward to watching them and the entire group as we continue on."
 
The game started with the 'Jackets jumping out to a 10-2 lead as Rollins and Green got started early accounting for eight points after Kendall Denham scored the first points of the MSUB season. East Bay would respond to tie the game at 15-15 by the 10 minute mark of the first half.
 
Daniel Shedden was effective getting to the free throw line as he scored all four of his first half points from the charity stripe. Kamal Tall had four points and three rebounds in the half as he controlled the paint for the 'Jackets. Sven Jeuschede added a three-pointer to the MSUB total as the team shot 60 percent from deep and 50 percent from the field in the first half.
 
Cal State East Bay took advantage of 11 MSUB turnovers in the first half to create a 39-36 lead at the half. Drew Bender had 12 points for the Pioneers in the opening period.
 
The 'Jackets smooth shooting continued in the second half with Denham scoring MSUB's first points with two free throws which was followed up by another three from Jeuschede to tie the game at 41-41. East Bay held a narrow lead for the majority of the second half until Green gave MSUB their first lead of the half at 59-56 with 6:12 remaining.
 
A 67-67 tie with 2:41 left in the second period Kobe Terashima sank two free throws to give the 'Jackets the advantage they would need down the stretch. Terashima was a perfect 4-for-4 from the line in the second half.  Green blocked the Pioneer's final shot of the game preventing East Bay the opportunity to tie the game with two seconds left.

Rollins led the team with five assists followed by Green and Terashima with three each. Rollins and Shedden recorded six rebounds apiece with Tall adding five more for the 'Jackets.
 
Tomorrow the 'Jackets will play the Sonoma State University Seawolves at 12 p.m. Pacific time. The Seawolves defeated Seattle Pacific University on Friday 100-93 in double overtime.