Box Score BILLINGS, Mont.- The Montan State University Yellowjacket men's basketball team (1-2) matched up against the Rocky Mountain College Battlin' Bears (3-1) for the first time in 2023 for the Rimrock Rivalry. The crosstown matchup was everything you could ask for going down to the final seconds with the Battlin' Bears besting the 'Jackets 70-69.
 
"Proud of the guys fight tonight, the ball didn't bounce our way in the final two minutes but that's life on the road, especially in a rival game," said head coach Luke Fennelly. "Coach Dreikosen has a really good team and I wish them nothing but the best moving forward."
 
The Fortin Center was a packed house and with the homecourt advantage in favor of the Battlin' Bears, Jalen Tot silenced the crowd after a steal and drawing a foul on the fast break layup, making both free throws. Rocky would then charge back on an 8-0 run behind A.J. Wilson who was shooting 100 percent for the Battlin' Bears. At the 8:29 minute mark Zharon Richmond hit his third triple of the night tying up the game at 21 apiece. Richmond was 3-3 from beyond the arch at this point in the match and was just three points shy of hitting 1,000 career points. After a Daniel Moody triple Richmond would help close out the first half with a pair of free throws to help the Yellowjackets take the 38-35 lead at the half. The first free throw from Richmond was all he needed to hit 1,000 points, a milestone only a select group has done for MSUB. Another noteworthy performance in the first half was Daniel Moody who had seven points, 10 rebounds, and three blocks.
 
The second half would start out no different as the Yellowjackets scored the first points of the half after a step-back jumper from Famous Lefthand. The game was a true back and forth battle until the 13:58 mark after Ky Kouba hit Emmanuel Ajanaku on a fast break for a two-handed slam that absolutely silenced the home court, putting the 'Jackets up by seven. The Battlin' Bears battled back after Maxim Stephens scored his 10^th point of the night bringing Rocky within one. With the 'Jackets up 59-56 at the 6:21 mark, a Kouba pass out resulting in a Jalen Tot three pointer was all they needed to gain the momentum heading into the final five minutes of the game. Rocky would not back down after drawing a pair of fouls late in the second half and making all of them to tie up the game at 65 with two minutes left. With 20 seconds left on the clock Jalen Tot took control taking it to the rim and making a contested layup to put the 'Jackets up 69-65. After a pair of free throws by the Battlin' Bears with 6.9 on the clock the 'Jackets were called on an offensive foul and later fouled again on a three-point attempt by Rocky Mountain's A.J Wilson. Wilson was able to hit all three and seal the 70-69 win in favor of RMC.
 
 
KEY PERFORMANCES:
Zharon Richmond – 19 PTS (4-7 FG, 3-3 3PT, 8-8 FT), 9 REB, 1 STL
Famous Lefthand – 9 PTS, 1 AST
Jalen Tot – 9 PTS, 4 REB, 3 AST, 5 STL
Steven Richardson – 8 PTS (4-9 FG), 5 REB, 1 BLK
 
THE BUZZ: Daniel Moody was named Intermountain Health Player of the Game after posting 14 points, 14 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 blocks, and 1 steal.
 
UP NEXT: The Montana State University Yellowjacket men's basketball team is back home against the Minto State University Beavers at 7 PM on November 18^th.