ANCHORAGE, Alaska – The Montana State University Billings men's basketball team finished their Great Northwest Athletic Conference opening game in dramatic fashion, edging out the University of Alaska Anchorage Seawolves in overtime 81-77 on Thursday evening at the Alaska Airlines Center.
 
With the game in its dying moments, the Yellowjackets found themselves down to their final shot. Just 3.4 seconds remained on the clock, and the 'Jackets were down 70-67 after a rally by the Seawolves. With all Anchorage defenders looking for the shot to come from MSUB's leading scorer Carrington Wiggins, who passed the ball in, it left an opening for senior Bilal Shabazz, who took advantage of the defense's focus on Wiggins to quickly turn and shoot, sending the tying basket through to keep the Yellowjackets alive in the game. MSUB would take the momentum from that shot and run with it, as it was once again Shabazz whose late free throws sealed the four-point win for the Yellowjackets.
 
"It was a game of runs, and it was only fitting that it went to overtime," said MSUB head coach Mick Durham. "BJ hit the big three at the end of regulation and sealed it with free throws, and I'm really happy for him to see his hard work pay off. Wiggins and Bah really carried us all night offensively. We are excited to get a GNAC win and especially a road win early in the league at a tough place to win."
 
Wiggins led all scorers with 23 points in the game, shooting 53.8 percent from the field and 44.4 percent from three. His seven assists and three steals would also lead the team. The game's hero Shabazz would have 18 points, matching the total set by teammate Abdul Bah, to go along with nine rebounds. Steven Richardson chipped in with 12 points and five boards, while Jalen Tot totaled five points and three assists.
 
The hosts never trailed in the first half. After Da'Zhon White's opening jumper, the Seawolves left the 'Jackets chasing from behind. They led by as much as 12 at points, but the 'Jackets never let Anchorage pull too far ahead for too long, trailing by five at half after finishing on a 12-5 run. That run would spark something in MSUB, which came out after halftime fully in control of the game.
 
MSUB scored the first 19 points of the second half, not allowing a basket until 13:22 in the half. But after leading by 14, the Yellowjackets couldn't hang on, letting the Seawolves jump right back into it, taking the lead with 1:58 remaining. They looked like they'd see out the game victorious, until Shabazz's shot turned the game on its head.
 
Overtime was a close battle, with the teams matching each other point for point for a majority of the extra period. But a jumper by Wiggins with 1:32 left would push the 'Jackets ahead by two, and the team's defense wouldn't allow a basket down the stretch as the 'Jackets closed out a massive win to open their conference slate.
 
THE BUZZ: Shabazz was selected as the St. Vincent Healthcare Player of the Game…his 18 points were a career high, as were his four made 3-pointers…Wiggins's seven assists in the game likewise set a career high…the 'Jackets are now 22-36 all-time against Alaska Anchorage, snapping a streak of four consecutive losses against the Seawolves…it was MSUB's first win in Anchorage since the 2018-2019 season.
 
UP NEXT: The Yellowjackets conclude their road trip with one final game in Alaska, traveling to face University of Alaska Fairbanks on Saturday, December 3 at 7:15 p.m. MST.