BILLINGS, Mont.- The Montana State University Billings Yellowjackets defeated Great Northwest Athletic Conference foe Saint Martin's University 79-59 Saturday night at the annual MSUB Hall of Fame Game. MSUB earns the season sweep over the Saints this year and wins their 10^th game of the year.
 
MSUB (10-14, 5-11 GNAC) got off to a slow start scoring only 6 points in the first six minutes of play. Good thing SMU was off to a slower start scoring only five points in the first six minutes. MSUB settled in and got things rolling after the Saints tied the game at 11-11. From that point on the game would never be tied again and MSUB would never trail.
 
Slowly but steadily, MSUB built a little space from the Saints and held a six point lead at halftime 41-35. MSUB jettisoned out to a double digit lead just about as soon as the second half commenced.
 
The Yellowjackets began with a 7-0 run to stretch the advantage to 48-37. The 'Jackets never allowed the lead to dip below eight points and led by as much as 17 points at 69-52 with 6:33 remaining. MSUB would cruise to the blowout win 79-59 and hold an opponent below 60 points for the first time all season.
 
"We played pretty well and I am very proud of how we played defense," said head coach Mick Durham. "We had a good plan going in and I think our depth wore them down a little bit. It's been a tough stretch in league games so it is nice to put a solid game together."
 
Brendan Howard led MSUB in points with 21 and flirted with a double-double as he finished with nine rebounds. Senior Tyler Green had 14 points on 4-12 from three point range. Psalm Maduakor finished with 10 points, five rebounds and five assists as he played a very balanced and efficient game.
 
Stevie James and Chrishon Dixon each finished with nine points and senior Jordan Lehrer had eight.
 
"I think we played pretty well today," said Maduakor. "We got a lot of stops and it was as great defensive effort. Brendan and Tyler are our keys guys and it's up to us role players to play well. When we do it makes it easier for them. We are going to keep competing and we will have games left."
 
SMU only suited up seven players for the game and were led by CJ Jennings who had 21 points. Alex Schumacher had 16 points and Marky Adams had nine points to go with 12 rebounds.
 
As a team MSUB shot 33.3 percent from the floor and 36.6 percent from three point land which is their best mark over the past four games. SMU shot 41.8 percent from the floor and 33.3 percent from beyond the arc as well. MSUB held the rebound advantage 46-32 and had 21 assists to SMU's 10.
 
Taking care of the ball marginally better than their last game, MSUB had 11 turnovers and made SMU give up the rock 13 times. MSUB scored 16 points off of turnovers and SMU scored nine.
 
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Psalm Maduakor is named the St. Vincent Player of the Game for his 10 points, five rebounds and five assists as he filled the stat sheet in an efficient and effective manner.
 
WHAT'S AHEAD: MSUB hits the road for their last road trip of the season as they head to Alaska for games against the University of Alaska Fairbanks and the University of Alaska Anchorage.