MONMOUTH, Ore. – The Montana State University Billings Men's basketball team lost on the road to Western Oregon University in their opening Great Northwest Athletic Conference game of 2020, 88-76 on Thursday night.  
 
The Yellowjackets (5-6, 0-3 GNAC) fell behind early and could never quite get back within striking distance as the Wolves (8-2, 2-2 GNAC) kept them at bay and led 40-33 heading into halftime.
 
Falling behind by as much as 18 with 6:16 left, MSUB fought hard to close the gap and brought the game to within nine with 1:16 left on a Zharon Richmond free throw. But much as they did all game, WOU matched MSUB and stemmed the Yellowjacket comeback tide to go onto the 88-76 win.

"I was proud of the way we competed but we needed to shoot the ball a little better," said head coach Mick Durham. "We need to take care of the ball as well but overall we are continuing to make good progress in our stretch of four GNAC road games."  
 
For the 'Jackets, Brendan Howard scored a game high 28 points and added seven rebounds. Richmond was the only other Yellowjacket to reach double digit figures with a double-double of 12 points and 10 rebounds.
 
Psalm Maduakor chipped in nine points and five rebounds Clarence Daniels II added 8 points, Jordan Lehrer had six points and Stevie James finished with seven points.

Dalven Brushier led WOU with 21 points and Darius Lubom finished with 19.
 
As a team, MSUB shot 43.9 from the field and 31.6 from three points range while WOU shot 45.2 percent and 26.9 percent. MSUB's bench outplayed WOU's 23-19 but the 'Jackets did commit 17 turnovers to WOU's 10 which led to 21 points off of turnovers for the Wolves.  
 
The Wolves had 11 steals and nine assists while MSUB had four steals and 15 assists. WOU outscored MSUB in the paint 44-32.  
 
Player of the Game: Zharon Richmond was named the St. Vincent Player of the Game for his double-double of 12 points and 10 rebounds.


 
WHAT'S AHEAD: The Yellowjackets travel to Portland, Oregon to take on the Cavaliers of Concordia University Portland…Last season, MSUB and CU split games with both teams winning at home…Tip-off is slated for 3:00pm MST.