BILLINGS, Mont.- Highlighting the Montana State University Yellowjacket men's basketball team (4-3) opening up GNAC play against the #23 team in the nation, the University of Alaska Anchorage Seawolves (8-1). The Yellowjackets leaned on stellar defense to give the Seawolves their first loss of the season with a final score of 66-59. "Proud of our fight on the defensive end tonight, they are well coached and extremely skilled, so you know it's always going to be a fight," said head coach Luke Fennelly. "The guys accepted the challenge, played hard, played together, and their efforts showed."
 
The Seawolves started the first half by winning the tip and hitting a three ball on their first possession of the game. The lead did not last long as Daniel Moddy got the Yellowjackets on the board with an early contested field goal, followed by drawing a foul on the next possession and making both free throws. After a pair of stops on defense the 'Jackets took a four-point lead after a Steven Richardson three pointer at the 17:11 mark. Famous Lefthand got himself on the board on his first shot of the night extending their lead to 12-5. After a series of buckets by the Seawolves and a pair of turnovers by the 'Jackets, Anchorage was able to take a 17-14 lead at the second media timeout. At this point the Seawolves started full court pressing, trying to put pressure on the Yellowjacket offense. Bryce Whitaker not only broke the press but took control, taking it to the rim and making an impressive reverse layup to help bring the momentum back to their side. The game continued to be a back-and-forth battle with both teams tied at 20 at the halfway mark in the first half. Both squads continued to trade punches being tied again at 23, 25, and 28 until Daniel Moody got himself to the line again making both to give the 'Jackets the 29-28 lead. At the 4:11 mark Jalen Tot hit his fourth field goal of the night on as many attempts to put him at nine points. Steven Richardson would then make his 11^th point of the night after a deep three, followed by another Zharon Richmond bucket to put the 'Jackets up by seven with three minutes to play in the half. The Seawolves were able to answer with a pair of buckets, but it was MSUB who went into the half with a 41-37 lead.
 
The second half opened up with who else but Famous Lefthand adding his seventh point of the game on just his third field goal attempt. The 'Jackets got into foul trouble early in the second half with three in the first two and a half minutes. The Seawolves were able to make up some ground during the stretch, bringing it within four 45-41 still in favor of the Yellowjackets. MSUB was showing great defense at this point in the second half having three blocks by Beni Fungula, Steven Richardson, and Emmanuel Ajanaku but couldn't get their offense going having multiple turnovers and an offensive foul called against them. With the 'Jackets at only a one-point lead at the 14:14 mark they needed a spark as they had not scored in almost five minutes. A spark is what they got when Fungula made a contested layup followed by another pair of free throws made by Moody. Daniel Moody then made another field goal on the next possession extending their lead back to seven and putting his point total into double digits. After an Anchorage 4-0 run it was Moody again with an and-one, hitting his seventh free throw of the night in as many attempts. Halfway through the second half Lefhand erupted the crowd with his second three pointer of the night, giving the Yellowjackets their largest lead of the night. The 'Jackets had shown unbelievable defense at this point in the second half allowing just 13 points and tallying 12 defensive boards, four blocks, a steal, and forced a pair of turnovers. At the 7:48 mark, the Yellowjackets had extended their lead to 11, leading the Seawolves 61-50 after another pair of free throws by Moody. From there it was back-and-forth again until a timeout was called by head coach Luke Fennelly, putting his ace Zharon Richmond back in the game with four fouls and just over four minutes to play. Anchorage did not shy away as they went on a 5-0 run of their own late in the second half, bringing them within six. With just under one minute left in the game the 'Jackets made yet another big stop on defense followed by Jalen Tot getting to the line and expanding the lead to seven with 17.5 seconds to go in the ballgame. From there Beni Fungula forced an Anchorage turnover and the Yellowjackets were able to run the clock out, defeating the Seawolves 66-59 and handing them their first loss of the season.
 
KEY PERFORMANCES:
Daniel Moody – 15 PTS (9-9 FT), 6 REB, 4 AST, 2 BLKS
Jalen Tot – 12 PTS (5-9 FG), 4 REB, 4 AST, 3 STLS
Famous Lefthand – 10 PTS (3-6 FG, 2-3 3PT, 2-2 FT), 2 REB, 2 AST
Zharon Richmond – 8 PTS (4-4 FT), 6 REB, 1 AST
 
THE BUZZ: Steven Richardson was named Intermountain Health Player of the Game after posting 13 points (5-9 FG, 2-4 3PT), 6 rebounds, 3 blocks, and 1 assists.
 
UP NEXT: The Montana State University Yellowjacket men's basketball team is back home for another GNAC contest against the University of Alaska Fairbanks this Saturday at 4:15 PM.