BILLINGS, Mont. – The Montana State University Billings men's basketball team earned their sixth victory in a row, defeating the Western Oregon University Wolves 68-59 in Great Northwest Athletic Conference play on Saturday at Alterowitz Gym.
 
Played tough by the visiting Wolves (5-9, 2-5 GNAC), the Yellowjackets (14-4, 8-0 GNAC) found a way to win, pushing their winning streak up to six games. MSUB's clutch defense led the way, with the 'Jackets holding WOU to just 37.9 percent shooting from the field.
 
Abdul Bah led the 'Jackets in scoring, finishing with 18 points after a big second half. Center Emmanuel Ajanaku scored 13, shooting 6-for-7 from the field and grabbing five boards. Steven Richardson had 11 points to go with eight rebounds and three assists. Bilal Shabazz ended with a team high nine rebounds, and nine points, while Jajuan Tot had a career high seven assists, facilitating the offense for MSUB. Carrington Wiggins chipped in nine points, while making his impact felt on the other end of the floor with three steals.
 
The first half began with both teams playing each other closely, the 'Jackets and Wolves each struggling to hold onto a lead. As the half wore on though, MSUB would begin to push ahead of the competition. The team ended the half on a 12-2 run over the final 6:23 of play, surging forward as Western Oregon's offense screeched to a halt. The 'Jackets held the Wolves to a 28.6 shooting percentage over the first 20 minutes, and out-rebounded the visitors 23-13, as they took an eight point lead into the break.
 
But Western Oregon wouldn't go down easy. The Wolves battled back in the second half, testing the Yellowjackets as they would tie the game up with 12:39 remaining in the second half. With the 'Jackets needing some baskets to reverse the tides, it would be Bah, the man who has hit multiple clutch shots for the 'Jackets this season, who did it again. Bah scored 16 of his 18 points in the second half, becoming the go to guy for MSUB as they rebuilt their lead. Despite a late push by the Wolves, the 'Jackets would hold on to stay undefeated in GNAC play.
 
THE BUZZ: Bah was selected as the St. Vincent Healthcare Player of the Game…the 'Jackets are now 14-21 against the Wolves, with todays win being their third in a row.
 
UP NEXT: The Yellowjackets take their six-game winning streak on the road, as they head west to face off against Seattle Pacific University, the team who sits just one game behind them in the GNAC standings. The game is scheduled for Saturday, January 21 at 2 p.m.