BILLINGS, Mont. – After a successful weekend on the road, the Montana State University Billings men's basketball team (2-0) will host a pair of games on Tuesday and Thursday at 7 p.m. The Yellowjackets will open their home schedule with Yellowstone Christian College on Tuesday before hosting the University of Mary on Thursday.
 
LAST TIME OUT: The 'Jackets earned victories over California State University East Bay (74-72) and Sonoma State University (67-61) last Friday and Saturday at the West Region Crossover Tournament in Hayward, Calif. It was the first time MSUB had beaten the Pioneers with CSU East Bay defeating the 'Jackets the past three seasons while Sonoma had won two of three meetings in the 80's.
 
NUMBERS AND NOTES
 
SEEING 20-20: Tyler Green and Zack Rollins each reached 20 points in the season opening win over CSU East Bay. Green led the team with 22 points while converting five of his 10 shots from beyond the arc. Rollins was flawless from deep finishing the game 5-for-5 on three-point attempts. The last time the 'Jackets had two or more players reach the 20 point mark in the season opener was back on Nov. 14, 2014 when Gary Gordon (22), Antoine Hosley (21) and Austin Hudson (20) all reached the mark in an 86-80 loss against Cal State University East Bay.
 
INSIDE AND OUT: Less than 24 hours after sinking 12 three pointers in a season opening win, the Yellowjackets had to use a different approach against Sonoma State. Kamal Tall answered the bell as he led the team with 16 points and eight rebounds in a slower, more physical game. Tall was 7-for-10 from the field with three offensive rebounds that helped contribute to eight second chance points. The 'Jackets scored 22 points in the paint during the second half with MSUB controlling the pace. Zharon Richmond was effective in Tall's stead as the freshman added eight points and five rebounds to the 'Jackets post production.
 
3-AND-D:  In the two games this past weekend the 'Jackets held their opponents to 4-for-29 (13.7 percent) from three-point range. In the 25 possessions following a missed three by the opponent, MSUB scored 15 points and drew five fouls. On the other end of the floor, the Yellowjacket offense shot 22 threes in both matchups and are shooting 17-for-44 (38.6 percent) so far this season. Of the 27 possessions following a missed three by MSUB there have been 10 offensive rebounds for the 'Jackets while opponents have only totaled nine points. In addition the Yellowjacket defense has only committed one foul following a miss from beyond the arc demonstrating their commitment at both ends of the floor.
 
Yellowstone Christian College Centurions
Tuesday, November 14 | 7 PM | Billings, MT
Head Coach: Isaiah Boxell, 1st Season
 
Yellowstone Christian College began sponsoring athletics in September of 2014. Their men's and women's basketball teams compete in the National Christian College Athletic Association at the junior college level. The Centurions roster is comprised of freshman and sophomores including three Montana natives and players from seven countries outside of the Unites State.
 
Head coach Isaiah Boxell is in first season at YCC after spending last season as an assistant at Union College. During his time with the Dutchmen, Union College won a conference championship and qualified for the NAIA national tournament. Boxell has a bachelors in physical education from University of the Ozarks where he was a four-year member of the basketball team.
 
University of Mary Marauders
Thursday, November 16 | 7 PM| Billings, MT
2017-18 Record: 0-0
Head Coach: Joe Kittle, 3rd Season
2016-17 Record: 12-17
 
The Marauders will open their season on Monday as they host the University of Jamestown in Bismarck, N.D. MSUB last played Mary in Bismarck when the 'Jackets earned a 98-92 victory in 2015. Mary last defeated MSUB in 2010 as the Yellowjackets hold a 6-3 advantage in the series.
 
Mary will feature a brand new roster this season after losing their top-seven scorers from a season ago. Sophomore Jaylan White who averaged 2.6 points per game last season is the Marauder's top returner. Senior Michael Gorder is the only other returning after averaging 1.4 points last season.
 
During exhibitions against Mayville State University and South Dakota State University junior Brody Sharkey led the Marauder offense with 14 points against the Comets and nine against the Jackrabbits. Senior Trevor Zacher was second on the team in scoring after joining Mary following stops at South Dakota School of Mines and Bismarck State College. In total the Marauders feature six transfers on their roster.
 
Head coach Joe Kittle has a record of 31-29 in his first two seasons in Bismarck. In his first year he led the Marauders to 19 victories after the team had compiled just 20 wins in the previous three seasons. A North Dakota native, Kittle led Lake Region State in Devils Lake, N.D. before taking over at Mary.
 
FOLLOW LIVE: Live video and statistics will be available for all MSUB home matches and all GNAC road contests throughout the 2017 season, through MSUB's Stretch Internet portal.