HAYWARD, Calif. – Defense and a well-balanced offensive attack powered the Montana State University Billings Yellowjackets (2-0) to their second win of the season on Saturday as MSUB cruised to a 67-61 win over the Sonoma State University Seawolves (1-1).
A night after scoring nearly half of their points from beyond the arc, the 'Jackets turned to a strong post presence to dominate the game against the Seawolves.
Kamal Tall led
the team with 16 points and eight rebounds as MSUB scored 34 points in the paint.
"We gutted this one out tonight," head coach
Jamie Stevens said after the win. "We played very well, we just didn't quite shoot it as well today. We shot like a team playing their second game in 21 hours. We knew we had a size advantage in the paint and put a major emphasis on getting Kamal and Zharon (Richmond) more touches. Kamal took advantage. At this point we're excited about our progress and look forward to getting home and having a chance to go out a get better this week."
The defense was all over the place as MSUB totaled seven steals in the win with
Zack Rollins leading the way with three followed by two from
Sven Jeuschede. The Seawolves were only able to convert on one third of their shots from the field and made just 3 of 15 shots from three.
Daniel Shedden tied Tall with eight rebounds in the game as the junior also contributed six points on the offensive end.
Freshman
Zharon Richmond did well in 24 minutes of action as the Billings native scored eight points and added five rebounds for the 'Jackets. Rollins and
Tyler Green each scored eight in the game as Green led the team with five assists.
Kendall Denham had four points one assists and one steal in the game. Overall, 9 of the 10 'Jackets scored in the game as the team shot 38 percent from the field in the bruising affair.
A 16-7 MSUB run at the start of the second half gave the 'Jackets a 10 point advantage that they wouldn't let go of. The Yellowjackets shot 44 percent from the floor in the second half as Tall was 6 of 7 from the field and led the way with 14 points. Four steals and five forced turnovers by the 'Jackets kept the SSU offense off balance in the final half as MSUB closed the game out.
Up next the 'Jackets will face Yellowstone Christian College in Alterowitz Gym on Tuesday night at 7 p.m. The two teams have never met. MSUB last started a season 2-0 in the 2011-2012 season when the Yellowjackets went on to win 18 games and win the GNAC Tournament.
