BILLINGS, Mont. – Eleven days ago, the Montana State University men's basketball team earned a sweep over Western Washington and Simon Fraser at home. It seemed they would almost assuredly clinch a berth in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference tournament. The race tightened considerably in the days since and four teams remain in a near dead heat for the final two spots heading into the Thursday, the final week of the regular season.
 
Tied for seventh in the standings, MSU Billings (13-13, 8-10 GNAC) plays at Alaska Anchorage (14-13, 9-10 GNAC) Thursday, February 28 at 7:30 p.m. local time followed by University of Alaska Fairbanks (5-21, 2-17 GNAC) on Saturday, March 2 at 3:15 p.m.
 
"As a competitor we always want to have a winning season and that is on the line this week," said head coach Mick Durham. "We also want to make the GNAC tournament and that is on the line this week. Those were the main two goals I set for us at the beginning of the year and now they are right here in front of us."
 
 
MSUB defeated both Alaska schools at home earlier this season but road struggles have intruded on the team's overall success. The Yellowjackets are just 1-8 away from Alterowitz Gymnasium. At the top of the conference, four teams have locked up spots in the post-season tournament but Simon Fraser (15-11, 9-9), Western Washington (14-14, 8-10), Alaska Anchorage (9-10, 14-13), and MSUB are all very much in the mix for the last two playoff positions.
 
"We are definitely due to put a complete game together on the road," Durham said. "We are certainly capable of doing that. We have two teams that we beat the first time around so we know we can compete and that just has to be our mindset going in."

GNAC Standings among non-clinched teams.

PLACE	MEN'S BASKETBALL	CONFERENCE RECORD	PERCENTAGE	OVERALL RECORD	PERCENTAGE	STREAK	GAMES REMAINING
5	Simon Fraser	9-9	.500	15-11	.577	Won 3	2
6	Alaska Anchorage	9-10	.474	14-13	.519	Won 1	1
T7	Western Washington	8-10	.444	14-14	.500	Lost 1	2
T7	Montana State Billings	8-10	.444	13-13	.500	Lost 2	2

 
LAST TIME OUT: The Yellowjackets let a one-point halftime lead slip to a 73-56 loss Saturday night against No. 11 Saint Martin's University in Lacey, Washington. The Saints out-rebounded MSU Billings 46-32 as SMU made it a step closer to securing the regular season GNAC title. Brendan Howard had 13 points for the 'Jackets and grabbed six rebounds. MSUB shot 36.4-percent from the floor (20-for-55) and 27.3-percent from beyond the arc (6-for-22). It was the seventh time this season the Yellowjackets have allowed an opponent to score 45 points or more in the second half.
 
GREEN KEEPS UP PRODUCTION: Despite a slow week of overall offense, Yellowjacket leading scorer Tyler Green posted 18 points Thursday against Seattle Pacific and 10 points Saturday versus Saint Martin's. Though Green's 3-point production dipped to 33-percent over his last five games (11-for-33), he made up the difference by scoring at the rim more often, accounting for 21 points over the stretch. Green also overcame free-throw struggles in the first half of the season and has been perfect from the charity stripe since January 19, going 20-for-20 over a stretch of 10 games.
 
 
STARTERS PLUS ONE: Coach Durham has increasingly relied upon his five starters. Green, Sven Jeuschede, Zack Rollins, Melvin Newbern Jr., and Zharon Richmond carry the bulk of the minutes. Green spends the most time of the court at 31.5 minutes per game, followed by Rollins (30.8 mpg), Richmond (28.8 mpg), and Jeuschede (27.1 mpg). Newbern Jr. has been limited due to foul trouble recently, but freshman Brendan Howard has gobbled up 23 minutes of playing time per contest and is the second leading scorer on the team (15.4 points per game).
 
 
WHERE MSUB STACKS UP: Montana State Billings enters the week averaging 79.5 points (fifth) and 35.5 rebounds per game. The Yellowjackets are fourth in the GNAC with 3.15 blocked shots per game and seventh in free throw percentage (.723). The 'Jackets make 15 assists per game (fifth) and are eighth in steals (six steals per game).
 
"Our guys are very aware of how we've done in the GNAC this year," said Durham. "Those top four teams are really good basketball teams but we have competed well against them. I think our guys go into each game knowing that we have the talent to compete right now. We just have to put everything we have learned this year on the line for these last two road games."
 
COMPARING LAST YEAR: In 2017-18, the Yellowjackets finished the season 13-18 overall, 5-15 in the GNAC (9^th). In five fewer games, this year's squad earned 13 wins and will be fighting to finish .500 or better with two games to play. The team also achieved three more conference victories than last year but will need to win both road games this week to surpass their 3-10 road mark from 2017-18. Two years ago, the 'Jackets made the conference tournament with a 9-11 record but fell to No. 3 seed Western Oregon in round one 72-61. The only player on MSUB's current roster to make an appearance in the game was Jeuschede.
 
 
Scouting University of Alaska Anchorage
Game Day: Thursday, February 21 – 5:15 p.m.
2018-19 Record: 14-13, 9-10 GNAC, 9-6 home, 5-7 away, 0-0 neutral
Form: W, L, L, W, L
Head Coach: Rusty Osbourne (15^th season)
2017-18 Record: 15-14, 11-9 GNAC, 9-9 home, 6-5 away, 0-0 neutral
 
After a pair of crushing losses last week knocked the Seawolves down from their lofty fifth place standing, they stopped the slide by taking care of rival Alaska Fairbanks 100-86 Tuesday night. UAA held off the Nanooks shooting barrage even after Alaska Fairbanks shot 58-percent from the field and 65-percent from three point range. Tyler Brimhall scored 33 points (11-for-16) for UAA and made four 3-pointers and seven of seven free throws. Jack MacDonald scored 24 points and the Seawolves shot 61-percent.
 
Brimhall leads Alaska Anchorage with 18.9 points per game, 6.5 rebounds per game, and a .421 three-point percentage. Niko Bevens averages a team high 32.6 minutes and scores at a 12.5 points per game rate with 2.9 rebounds. MacDonald scores 11 points per game along with 1.9 rebounds and Brennan Rymer leads the Seawolves in free throw percentage (.844) and assists (130). Rymer also averages 9.6 points per game.
 
The Seawolves score 73.5 points and grab 32.5 rebounds per game. UAA leads the GNAC and ranks 27^th in Division II with 16.8 assists per game. They also rank second in the GNAC in rebounds defense (32.6 per game). Alaska Anchorage ranks No. 35 in Division two with a 1.35 assist to turnover ratio (437 assists, 324 turnovers). The Seawolves are second in the GNAC for 3-point percentage (.379) and first in assists (16.8 apg).
 
MSU Billings defeated Alaska Anchorage 89-74 at Alterowitz Gymnasium on December 1. Rollins scored 30 points and MSUB led by as many as 21 points in the second half. Brendan Howard recorded 19 points off the bench. Brian Pearson had 17 points to pace UAA but the 'Jackets limited Brimhall to 10 points on 4-for-13 shooting.
 
The Yellowjackets are 32-45 in 77 games all-time against the Seawolves. MSUB is 4-6 over its last 10 matchups. The teams began competing against one another in 1977.
 
Scouting University of Alaska Fairbanks
Game Day: Saturday, February
2018-19 Record: 5-21, 2-17 GNAC, 1-8 home, 1-11 away, 3-2 neutral
Form: L, L, L, L, L
Head Coach: Greg Sparling (1^st season)
2017-18 Record: 11-15, 9-11 GNAC, 5-7 home, 4-6 away, 2-2 neutral
 
Alaska Fairbanks forward Michael Kluting was named GNAC player of the week on Monday following a 45 point weekend in the Nanooks' two home games. Kluting totaled 33 rebounds and recorded double-doubles in both games. Despite Kluting's strong performances, UAF will be attempting to break a seven game losing streak as they head into this week.
 
Alaska enters the week averaging 70.2 points and 32.2 rebounds per game. The Nanooks are second in the GNAC in free throw percentage (.743). Tuesday night, the Nanooks offense was extremely effective in a 100-86 loss to Alaska Anchorage. Tre Eisenhut had 19 points and shot 7-for-12 and the Nanooks shot 65-percent from 3-point range. Five players reached double digit scoring and UAF shot 58-percent from the field in the loss.
 
The Nanooks have conference wins over Alaska Anchorage and Concordia this season but they have struggled to defend their home arena, with just one victory at Alaska Airlines Court.
 
MSUB picked up a three point win 79-76 over Alaska Fairbanks in the first meeting between the two teams. Green and Rollins recorded 16 points apiece and the Yellowjackets shot 49.2-percent at home. Both Rollins and Green had four made 3-pointers in the game. MSUB led by five at halftime and held off a late run by UAF.
 
Tymoryae Glover scores 13.3 points per game with 4.2 rebounds for UAF. Kluting is second in scoring at 13.1 points per game and a GNAC leading 9.0 rebounds. Spencer Sweet is third at 12.3 points per game. Jalen McCullough and Quinn Daugherty are expected to round out the starting five.
 
The Yellowjackets have won 42 of 71 games between the two teams all-time, dating back to 1973. MSUB broke up three straight losses to the Nanooks with the win over Alaska earlier this season. It will be the second time coach Mick Durham and assistant coach Bobby Howard will face off against the team they coached for several seasons.
 
"We always try to give our guys as much information on our opponents as we can," commented Durham. "We'll have a couple film sessions and walk-throughs to give us an idea of what we think the two Alaska teams are going to try to do. Bottom line is we just need everybody to be ready to go this week. If everyone can give us quality minutes when they are out there, we should be okay."
 
HOW TO FOLLOW: Both road games are available to watch live by navigating the GNAC Stretch Internet Portal. Fans can also track the game by following @MSUBMBB. Live statistics will also be available.