BILLINGS, Mont.- Highlighting the Montana State University Yellowjacket men's basketball team (5-3) matching up for another GNAC competition against the University of Alaska Fairbanks Nanooks (2-6). The Yellowjackets took care of business, winning 65-39 in dominating fashion. After tonight's win the 'Jackets improved to 5-3 on the year, and 2-0 in GNAC play. "Another team win, we had a lot of guys do good things and our depth is starting to show," said head coach Luke Fennelly. "We hang our hat on the defensive end, so I was happy with our effort, energy, and production on that side of the ball."
 
The Nanooks won the opening tip-off but the 'Jackets followed that by forcing a turnover and scoring on their first possession from a Famous Lefthand contested three-pointer. Jalen Tot then followed Lefthand, hitting a triple of his own to give the Yellowjackets an early 6-0 lead. After a pair of Nanook buckets, Zharon Richmond got a steal on the defensive and lobbed a pass to Daniel Moody who brought the house down on a fast break Layup, helping give the 'Jackets some early momentum. Following the first media timeout of the game, Bryce Whitaker got on the board with back-to-back three-pointers at the 14:04 mark, extending their lead to seven points. The Yellowjackets continued to stay hot scoring on their next two possessions as well, a field goal by Richmond, and a triple by Beni Fungula. Heading into the second media timeout the 'Jackets were leading the Nanooks 19-9 with just over 10 minutes to play in the first half.
 
Just past the halfway mark in the opening half, Daniel Moody followed a Fairbanks bucket with a jumper of his own to keep their 10-point lead. The 'Jackets were showing great defense again having four steals, forcing six turnovers, and holding the Nanooks to just 13 points at this point in the game. The Yellowjacket offense continued to produce with Jalen Tot hitting back-to-back jumpers, and Daniel Moody making another contested layup at the 4:55 mark. At this point in the game MSUB was not only defending well but outshooting the Nanooks 46.2 to 25 percent from the field, and 35.7 to 16.7 from beyond the arch. After a pair of missed shots and turnovers by both squads, the score remained 30-13 for almost three minutes. Fairbanks was able to add another field goal to their total but with just under 20 seconds left, Famous Lefthand hit another triple, sending the 'Jackets back to the locker room up 33-15 at the half.
 
The second half opened up with the Nanooks getting on the board first, this was quickly followed up by Zharon Richmond adding his second bucket of the night. Fairbanks continued to stay hot early in the second half, scoring on their next three possessions. This momentum didn't last long for the Nanooks as Jalen Tot went to work, scoring on back-to-back-to-back MSUB possessions with two of them being three-pointers. Famous Lefthand joined the party adding his third triple of the game at the 15:47 mark, keeping their commanding lead at 46-23. The 'Jackets were shooting it well from beyond the arch with nine team three's and shooting 42.9 percent as a team at this point in the game. With the Yellowjackets at a 23 point lead the Nanooks didn't roll over as they went on an 8-0 run just before the halfway mark in the second half.
 
With the Nanooks heating up and the 'Jackets going scoreless for over four and a half minutes, MSUB was looking for another spark on offense. Daniel Moody did just that, hitting a tough contested layup followed by another Jalen Tot jumper, and another Famous Lefthand triple. Jalen Tot was putting on a show, shooting 80 percent from the field, and 75 percent from three with 19 points at this point in the ballgame. At the 5:47 mark, Richmond was able to draw an offensive foul which led to an Emmanual Ajanaku jumper, helping give the 'Jackets their largest lead of the night at 24. With just over three and a half minutes to play Beni Fungula added his eighth point of the night, followed by trademark Emmanuel Ajanaku dunk on the following possession. This dunk was then topped by Fungula who put a Nanook defender on an absolute poster, erupting everyone in Alterowitz and getting the MSUB bench on their feet. This was all the 'Jackets needed to lead them to their third straight win with a final score of 65-39.
 
KEY PERFORMANCES:
Daniel Moody – 10 PTS (5-7 FG), 7 REB, 1 AST, 1 BLK, 1 STL
Famous Lefthand – 12 PTS (4-10 FG, 4-9 3PT), 1 AST
Beni Fungula – 10 PTS (4-7 FG, 1-1 3PT, 1-1 FT), 1 AST, 1 STL
Bryce Whitaker – 6 PTS (2-3 FG, 2-3 3PT), 2 REB, 2 AST, 2 STL
 
THE BUZZ: Jalen Tot was named Intermountain Health Player of the Game after posting 19 points (8-10 FG, 3-4 3PT), 3 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal.
 
UP NEXT: The Montana State University Yellowjacket men's basketball team is back home for an in-state matchup against the University of Providence Argos in Alterowitz Gym on December 6^th at 7:00 PM.