BILLINGS, Mont. – A hot shooting second half catapulted the Montana State University men's basketball team to a 79-65 victory over Minot State University Saturday night at Alterowitz Gymnasium in a non-conference regular men's basketball season contest. After a slow start, the Yellowjackets made nine shots from beyond the arc in the second half and shot 64.3-percent from 3-point range on the night.
 
Tyler Green led the 'Jackets with 17 points on 5-for-8 shooting. Green was also 4-for-7 from 3-point range and 3-for-3 from the free throw line. Brendan Howard had a strong night offensively as well and shot 6-for-8 from the floor including two 3-pointers and a pair of free throws for 16 points.
 
"We kind of struggled and had to grind out the first half," commented head coach Mick Durham. "I just thought we had a lot more energy in the second half and made some shots. It was nice to be able to build the lead. We've had a tough time extending leads so that was really beneficial."
 
Montana State Billings (2-2, 0-0 GNAC) grabbed a second straight win at home after defeating University of Mary 56-53 on Thursday. Minot State (3-2, 0-0 FRONT) was on a three game winning streak coming into Saturday night's bout with MSUB but had their streak snapped. The Beavers will play Pontificial Catholic University next on November 20.
 
FIRST HALF BREAKDOWN: Minot State played well defensively in the first half and limited the Yellowjackets to 10-for-24 shooting. Similar to MSU Billings, the Beavers struggled from the field and went 12-for-34 (35.3-percent). Minot State held a lead through most of the the first half but the Yellowjackets eventually battled back. A late 3-pointer by Zack Rollins tied the score 27-27.
 
Montana State Billings trailed in total rebounds 24-to-13 in the first 20 minutes but led in turnovers 5-4. Melvin Newbern Jr. had six rebounds in the first half for MSUB and Kyle Beisch posted eight points for Minot State on 4-for-8 shooting. Minot State led 29-28 heading into the break.
 
SECOND HALF BREAKDOWN: The Yellowjackets began the second half with visible energy and quickly turned the score in their favor. After an early defensive stop, Zack Rollins made a corner 3-pointer and followed with an athletic layup on the next possession. The Yellowjackets then created an 11-0 run which put them ahead by 10 points with 14 minutes to play.
 
The Yellowjackets shot exceptionally well in the second half from the arc, and grew the lead to as many as 20 points. Zharon Richmond and Tyler green knocked down four shots each and Zack Rollins chipped in 11 points in the second half to add to his three point first half total.
 
BY THE NUMBERS: MSU Billings led most offensive categories. In points off the bench, MSUB won 20-12. The Yellowjackets outshot the Minot State 54-percent to 39-percent and cashed in on 13 points off turnovers compared to five for the Beavers.
 
The Yellowjackets constrained the Minot State offense to 65 points, but three players still got into double figure scoring including Kyle Beisch (4-for10, 19 pts.), Dorian Aluyi (4-for-8, 11 pts.), and David Akibo (4-for-13, 10 pts.).
 
MSU Billings shot just 6-for-11 from the free throw line in the first half but recovered in the second half to shoot 70-percent for the game. Minot State ended 88-percent from the line, making 12-of-14 opportunities from the charity stripe in the second half.
 
Melvin Newbern Jr. made a difference on the defensive end of the floor and pulled down 10 rebounds for MSUB. Aluyi had eight total rebounds for Minot State.
 
"It was huge for us to come home and win a couple of games this week," Durham said. "We had been on the road for what seemed like forever so it was is was nice to be back. We want to be a good team at home team. In order to be a really solid team, we have to play well in our own building."
 
 
NEXT UP: Montana State Billings (0-2, 0-0 GNAC) plays rival Rocky Mountain College (0-0, 0-0 Frontier) on Monday, November 19 at 7 p.m. The game is scheduled as an exhibition contest and will be held at the Battlin' Bears home arena Fortin Center.
 
"Monday should be a good atmosphere," commented Durham. "It will of course be my first MSUB versus Rocky game but really it's just another game for us. It's a chance to get better. We know what kind of team Rocky is and we're excited to go over there and play and get another one under our belt."
 
After Rocky Mountain College, the Yellowjackets will host the MSUB Thanksgiving Tournament November 23-24 where they will play California State Dominguez Hills and Black Hills State University at Alterowitz Gymnasium. Great Northwest Athletic Conference play begins on November 27 against the Alaska Fairbanks.
 
THE BUZZ: Brendan Howard was named St. Vincent Healthcare player of the game for MSUB…The Yellowjackets improved to 9-0 all-time against Minot State in games dating back to 1962. Saturday night was the first time the two teams have played since 2010.