BILLINGS, Mont. – The Montana State University Billings men's basketball team defeated the University of Providence Argonauts 96-76, claiming victory in the in-state matchup at Alterowitz Gym on Wednesday evening.
The Yellowjackets (7-2) were in for a battle early, as the Argonauts (6-5) commanded much of the first half, where MSUB trailed for 17:27 minutes of game time. They would rally late though to go into the half tied, and would elevate their play in the second half, able to start hot, gain the lead, and refuse to cede it back to Providence for the rest of the game.
Carrington Wiggins led the 'Jackets with 21 points, shooting 6-for-12 from the field and 5-for-10 from three. Wiggins also had a team high six assists and was perfect from the free throw line (4-for-4). Behind him,
Abdul Bah came off the bench to score 16 points didn't miss a single shot all game, while
Steven Richardson had 14 to go with a team high seven rebounds.
Bilal Shabazz had 13 points, and
Malik Brikat had 12.
Jajuan Tot finished with three steals to go with seven points. As a team, the Yellowjackets shot 67.3 percent in the game, and 68 percent from three.
The opening minutes of the game set the tone for Wednesday's matchup, with both teams scoring fast and scoring often. However, a combination of a cold stretch from the 'Jackets and excellent shooting from the Argonauts would help shift the game in Providence's favor, with their 9-2 run in just a minute of play putting the visitors up 15-8 just barely four minutes into the game. While the 'Jackets would pick up their shooting, the Argonauts were impossible to cool off, shooting 53.3 percent in the half and making seven 3-pointers. The 'Jackets trailed for most of that first half, hanging just a few points behind until a late run saw them go into halftime tied at 41-41.
In the second though, Providence would merely be a very good scoring team, while MSUB's offense soared to astounding levels. The Yellowjackets outscored their opponents 55-41 in the final half, using their offense to jump out to a comfortable lead, despite Providence still finding ways to score. The 'Jackets jumped firmly in the driver's seat when they stole the lead back at 16:56 in the half and didn't look back the rest of the way.
Eric Milner led Providence with 19 points, with Kenny Curtis right behind him with 18. Curtis's four assists tied for a team high with Drayton Caoile, who scored nine points. Sam Vining and Caleb Currington each scored 11 points, and Jake Olson paced the Argonauts with seven boards.
THE BUZZ: Wiggins was selected as the St. Vincent Healthcare Player of the Game…the 96 points scored by the Yellowjackets were their most in a game this season, as were their field goals made (37) and three pointers made (17) … A 67.3% shooting percentage and a 68% three-point percentage each rank fifth in program history… Five 'Jackets were perfect from beyond the arc… Brikat's pair of three pointers were the first two in his Yellowjacket career.
UP NEXT: The Yellowjackets play Saturday, December 10 at 7 p.m. at Alterowitz Gymnasium when they matchup for their second meeting against Rocky Mountain College this season. The 'Jackets won the first edition of this season's Rimrock Rivalry back in November 71-56.
