BILLINGS, MT. – In the first installment of this year's cross town rivalry, the Rocky Mountain College Battling' Bears defeated the Montana State University Billings Yellowjackets 79-70. Playing in an exhibition setting at the First Interstate Bank Arena (formally the Metra), MSUB did not shoot the ball as well enough to win the game.
 
MSUB (2-2, 0-0 Great Northwest Athletic Conference) finished shooting 38.2 percent from the field and 22.9 percent from three point range. Rocky (3-1, 0-0 Frontier Conference) was able to end the game shooting 43.9 from the field and made 12 three point shots while shooting 37.5 percent.
 
The Yellowjackets led most of the way in the first half until Rocky was able to tie the game at 31, then take their first lead 34-31. The Bears where able to gain some momentum and led at halftime 40-33.
 
Rocky was ahead by as much as 20 points with 11:30 left in the game, 62-42. MSUB was able to cut that lead to seven points, after a 17-4 run to make it 66-59 on a Brendan Howard three points shot with 6:13 left on the clock.

The Yellowjackets could never quite close the gap as Rocky kept them within arm's reach the rest of the way to escape with a 79-70 early season victory over their cross town rivals.

"We were simply out played tonight," said head coach Mick Durham. "Our energy level was not good and we deserved what we got. Credit to Rocky for being the tougher team tonight."

 Howard led MSUB with 24 points and added seven rebounds. Tyler Green finished with 12 points. Chrishon Dixon had a team high four assists and freshmen Sam Elliott had a team leading eight rebounds.
 
WHAT'S AHEAD: The Yellowjackets are home for the holidays as they host Adams State University in back-to-back games after Thanksgiving on November 29^th and 30^th. Both games will be at Alterowitz Gym with a 7:00pm scheduled tip-off.