BILLINGS, Mont. – The Montana State University Billings men's basketball team defeated the Rocky Mountain College Battlin' Bears by a score of 71-56 in their crosstown rivalry matchup on Tuesday night at the Fortin Center.
 
Coming off an undefeated weekend in Washington, the Yellowjackets (3-0) were looking to build on that excellent start by picking up a big win against Rocky (4-2) in their gymnasium. And in front of a gym divided between the two school's fans, the 'Jackets would quiet the home crowd on their way to collecting another statement win to start their season.
 
Carrington Wiggins led the 'Jackets in scoring with 14, and Steven Richardson followed just behind with 13, but it was an all-around win for the team, with every Yellowjacket who entered the game scoring a point. Bilal Shabazz had seven points, eight rebounds, three steals, and a block in a game where he seemed to be all over the court. Rocky transfer Abdul Bah chipped in eight points against his former squad, while the Tot brother Jalen and Jajuan disrupted ball handlers all night.
 
From the tipoff, the first five minutes were a tightly contested affair, with the 'Jackets and Bears swapping baskets. But after a banked three from Bah, the 'Jackets flipped a switch. They only allowed Rocky to score one point in the next nine minutes of play, jumping out to a double-digit lead, until a late Bears rally pulled the game to within eight as the 'Jackets took a 39-31 lead into the half.
 
MSUB came out from halftime dominant defensively. It took Rocky until 6:34 in the second half to score double digit point on the Yellowjackets, who meanwhile jumped out to a lead as high as 24 at one point. While the home team would get hot in the late stages of the game, it would be too little too late as the 'Jackets cruised to a 71-56 win.
 
MSUB outrebounded Rocky 42-32, with 12 of those rebounds being offensive boards, taking advantage of second chance opportunities to make up for shooting just 34.9 percent from the field. Their staunch defense created 18 turnovers in the game as they made life hard for Rocky on the offensive side of the court.
 
Kael Robinson scored a game high 18 points for Rocky, shooting 4-for-7 from 3-point range. Billings native Jesse Owens had 10 points to go with six assists for the Bears.
 
THE BUZZ: Wiggins was selected as the St. Vincent Healthcare Player of the Game…the Yellowjacket bench outscored Rocky's in the game 28-12…MSUB has an all-time record of 24-12 against Rocky.
 
UP NEXT: The Yellowjackets will look to keep their undefeated run to start the season rolling on Saturday, November 19 at 6 p.m. when they travel to North Dakota to face off against Minot State University. Live coverage will be available here.