BILLINGS, Mont.- Highlighting the Montan State University Yellowjacket men's basketball team (2-3) matching up against the Black Hills State Yellow Jackets (2-3). The battle of the Bee's, MSUB (Yellowjackets) vs the BHSU (Yellow Jackets) ended with the previous D2 NCAA Final Four attendee, the BHSU Yellow Jackets coming out on top 78-67. "Give Black Hills the credit, there's a reason they've been nationally ranked, and they played well," said head coach Luke Fennelly. "Our guys did a good job of fighting back to make it a close game but weren't able to capitalize. I'm looking forward to getting back on the court tomorrow as we prepare for South Dakota School of Mines."
 
Who other than Famous Lefthand starting off the game with back-to-back jumpers followed by back-to-back buckets by Zharon Richmond to help put the 'Jackets ahead to an early 8-5 lead. After a Black Hills State turnover Bryce Whitaker hit the first MSUB triple of the game to help extend the lead by six. Halfway through the first half, after BHSU went on a 12-4 run of their own, Richmond was able to get to the free throw line, hitting both to tie up the game at 17 apiece. At this point in the game Black Hills was shooting an impressive 62.7 percent from the field to help them take the 26-21 lead over the 'Jackets at the 8:00 mark. With MSUB needing to answer, Lefthand did just that, adding his sixth point of the game. Following that was a Daniel Moody field goal to make it a one-point ballgame. With Black Hills up by five at the 2:02 mark Moody was able to get to the line and bring the 'Jackets withing four. From there, Black Hills continued to shoot it well going on another 9-6 run to lead 41-36 over MSUB at the half. Despite the 'Jackets down by five at half and shooting almost 15 percent behind BHSU, it was MSUB's rebounding that kept them in the first half. The 'Jackets were able to outrebound their opponent 8 to 3 on offense, and 18 to 16 in total rebounds. As well as leading in assists and blocks heading into the second half of the battle.
 
Black Hills State came out hot again in the second half hitting their eighth triple of the night extending their lead to eight points. The 'Jackets didn't back down as Lefthand hit back-to-back field goals to put him at 10 points on the night while shooting 5-7 from the field. Matthew Ragsdale was leading the way for Black Hills scoring his 21^st point of the game at the 15:52 mark, extending their lead to 11. Ragsdale proved almost impossible to stop as he was 8-10 from the field, 5-7 from beyond the arch, and had three rebounds on the defensive side of the ball. The 'Jackets were still fighting to stay in it despite shooting just 38.6 percent from the field, and 13.3 percent from beyond the arch. MSUB needed a spark and after a BHSU turnover Steven Richardson gave them just that hitting a deep three-pointer, bringing the score to 45-51 with 14:53 left on the clock. Bryce Whitaker, having his best performance of the season, followed Richardson with another triple of his own, giving him 13 points on the night. Halfway through the second half Emmanual Ajanaku got his second bucket of the night followed by getting to the free throw line on the next possession and making one of them. Even with MSUB heating up on offense, Black Hills State was still matching them, holding onto the lead they gained at the 9:34 mark in the first half. The back-and-forth battle continued throughout the second half until the 5:36 mark on a fast break miss by Richardson lead to a Famous Lefthand finish to bring MSUB within three. The atmosphere intensified as the clock winded down and the Black Hills lead started to shrink. The 'Jackets were able to bring the game within one point late in the second half until back-to-back buckets by BHSU to put them ahead by six again with 3:58 remaining. A late 12-0 run by Black Hills after the timeout was all they needed to give them control of the game. A late triple by Lefthand gave the 'Jackets some life but it was not enough and ultimately fell 78-67 in favor of Black Hills State.
 
 
KEY PERFORMANCES:
Zharon Richmond – 16 PTS, 7 REB, 2 AST, 1 BLK
Bryce Whitaker – 13 PTS (5-10 FG), 5 REB, 2 AST
Daniel Moody – 11 PTS, 4 REB, 1 BLK, 1 STL
 
THE BUZZ: Famous Lefthand was named Intermountain Health Player of the Game after posting 17 points (8-13 field goals), 4 rebounds, and 3 assists.
 
UP NEXT: The Montana State University Yellowjacket men's basketball team is back home Saturday November 25^th against the South Dakota Mines Hardrockers at 2 PM in Alterowitz Gym.