BILLINGS, Mont. – The Montana State University Billings Yellowjacket (6-4) men's basketball team narrowly lost a double-overtime thriller against cross town rival Rocky Mountain College Battlin' Bears (6-1). A total of three points have decided both Rimrock Rivalry contests this year, giving the edge to the Battlin' Bears in both.
 
The Rimrock Rivalry contest in Alterowitz Gym on the campus of Montana State University Billings was the place to be on Saturday night. The capacity of the gym is about 2,300+ and this cross-town battle did not leave many empty seats. The nearly 2,000 fans in attendance, the men's basketball teams put on a game for the ages. After two overtime periods, and many crazy plays and clutch shots, the 'Jackets missed a three pointer at the buzzer to win and fell 97-95 after 50 total minutes of basketball.
 
The 'Jackets got off to a slow start in the first half, falling behind by as much as 12 points just nine minutes into the game. However, the last 10 minutes of the first half were just the opposite as the home team started to get comfortable and only trailed the visiting Bears by 2 points at half.
 
In the second half, a three pointer by Famous Lefthand put the 'Jackets up 48-40 but the Battlin' Bears stayed calm and collected, eventually taking the lead over a few minutes later at 55-54. The remainder of the second half was a back-and-forth battle between the teams, often getting the crowd from both fan bases on their feet. Rocky Mountain College took a 78-70 lead with 3:21 left in the game and forced MSUB head coach Luke Fennelly to call a timeout. Whatever Fennelly came up with in that timeout seemed to work – his 'Jackets went on an 8-0 run in just over two minutes and tie the game up on a Jalen Tot three pointer.
 
With just under :30 seconds in regulation, senior Zharon Richmond tied it up for the 'Jackets. The Battlin' Bears could now hold for the last shot, but Jalen Tot's pesky defense forced a steal but a missed shot by the 'Jackets would send this game into overtime.
 
The first overtime was almost a replica of the end of regulation. Richmond made two free throws to tie the game at 89-89 with :26 seconds left. The Battlin' Bears could again hold for the final shot, but the 'Jackets forced a turnover and had another attempt at a game winning shot. However, they had to go the length of the court in just a few seconds and eventually missed a three pointer as time expired.
 
The second overtime… how about the same thing? A three pointer by Lefthand tied the game at 95-95 with around a minute left. Each team followed that with a few misses and two free throws from RMC would allow them to take a two-point lead with :02 seconds left. The 'Jackets were put in another tough situation for a game winner and missed a shot from around halfcourt just long, ending the game just short and falling to the Bears 97-95.
 
KEY PERFORMANCES:
Zharon Richmond: 27 points (10-21 FG), 4 rebounds, 3 assists
Jalen Tot: 18 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists
Famous Lefthand: 12 points
Steven Richardson: 12 points
Daniel Moody: 11 points, 12 rebounds
 
 
THE BUZZ: Zharon Richmond is named the Intermountain Health Player of the Game.
 
UP NEXT: The Yellowjackets will have a week off before traveling to Daytona Beach, Florida to take on St. Mary's University (TX) and Rollins College. The 'Jackets will be competing in the Daytona Beach Shootout on Dec. 17^th and 18^th.