BILLINGS, Mont.- The Montana State University Billings Yellowjacket men's basketball team (8-4) downed the Rollins College Tar (3-7) in dominating fashion. The 81-70 final score didn't project how impressive the Yellowjackets were, leading the game for 39 and a half of the 40 minutes in the game. "I'm happy with how we competed this weekend, it's always a tough test playing teams from across the country, but we really started to find our rhythm offensively," said head coach
Luke Fennelly. "We shared the ball great putting up 23 team assists against a team that played a solid zone defense for all 40 minutes."
The Yellowjackets took care of business in Daytona Beach going 2-0 on the weekend after today's win over the Rollins College Tar. The 'Jackets were impressive from beyond the arch, making 14 three-pointers as a team and had 23 team assists. Despite
Jalen Tot's 32-point performance the Yellowjackets shared the ball well having every active player score 3+ points in the game. Jalen and Ky had great contributions and performances and helped lead the way on the offensive side of the ball," said coach Fennelly.
On day two of the Daytona Beach Shootout,
Jalen Tot had the first points of the game with a corner three-pointer to give the 'Jackets an early lead. Tot would not stop there as he made three more triples on his next three attempts, extending the lead to 13-6 heading into the first media timeout of the game. Just before the halfway point in the first half the Yellowjackets were putting up video game numbers from on the offensive side of the ball. Behind Jalen tot and
Ky Kouba, the 'Jackets were 8-9 from three and were also 9-12 from the field at this point in the game. After a pair of offensive runs, the Tar were able to bring the contest to a difference of just four points with 30 seconds remaining. With the clock running down
Zharon Richmond hit
Jalen Tot in the final moments to hit a buzzer beater jump shot and head into the locker room with a 43-37 lead.
MSUB held the lead for 19 and a half minutes in the first and looked to repeat that performance heading into the second half of play. The 'Jackets copied and pasted their start from the previous half extending their lead back to 11 after another Tot triple, followed by
Bryce Whitaker hitting his first three-pointer of the night. The Tar again brought the game within single digits until back-to-back alley-oop dunks by Emmanual Ajanaku that gave the 'Jackets the momentum back on their side. From there it was a back-and-forth battle, the 'Jackets trying to extend their lead and Mathe Silveira from Rollins making it difficult having 20 points for the Tar at this point in the game. The game looked to be over until Rollins hit a deep three with 55 seconds giving the Tar some momentum and bringing the score to 74-70 in favor of the 'Jackets. Despite the late Rollins run, the Yellowjackets gave
Jalen Tot the ball every chance could get to bring their hot shooter to the free-throw line. Tot remained perfect at the line going 6-6 and helping MSUB win their second game in a row with a final score of 81-70. "After the winter break, we move back into GNAC play and will start preparing for Central Washington," said coach Fennelly.
KEY PERFORMANCES:
Ky Kouba – 11 PTS (4-7 FG, 3-5 3PT), 2 REB
Zharon Richmond – 8 PTS (3-4 FT), 5 REB, 5 AST, 1 STL
Daniel Moody – 7 PTS (2-2 FT), 7 REB, 5 AST
Bryce Whitaker – 7 PTS, 6 REB, 4 AST, 4 STL
Emmanuel Ajanaku – 6 PTS (3-6 FG), 6 REB, 2 AST
THE BUZZ: Jalen Tot was named Intermountain Health Player of the Game after posting a career high of 32 points! Tot shot 10-17 from the field, 6-11 from beyond the arch, and 6-6 from the line. He also tallied 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and one steal.
UP NEXT: The Montana State University Billings Yellowjacket men's basketball team heads into winter break and will not return until January 4
th where they will travel to Ellensburg, WA for a GNAC matchup against Central Washington.
