RAPID CITY, S.D.
– The Montana State University Billings men's basketball team (6-2) earned a 65-53 victory over the South Dakota Mines Hardrockers (0-6) at the King Center, completing a perfect 2-0 road trip in South Dakota.
The Yellowjackets controlled the game across multiple statistical categories, outshooting the Hardrockers 49% to 40% from the field and 45% to 27% from beyond the arc. MSUB also held a slight advantage at the free-throw line, shooting 73% to SD Mines' 70%. The Yellowjackets were dominant on defense, forcing 15 turnovers while committing only nine of their own, leading to a 22-6 advantage in points off turnovers. MSUB led for more than 68% of the game, never relinquishing control after taking the lead in the first half.
Jalen Tot led the way for the Yellowjackets, finishing with 14 points, three rebounds, a team-high three assists, and one steal.
Famous Lefthand also contributed 14 points, shooting an impressive 63% from the field and 60% from three-point range.
Kael Robinson added 13 points on 56% shooting, along with five rebounds, two assists, one steal, and one block.
In addition to the main scorers,
David Jones contributed a team-high seven rebounds, two steals, and one block.
Brendon Johnson was perfect from three and the line, scoring eight points while going 2-2 from three-point range and 2-2 from the free-throw line.
Fares Kacem had a season-high eight points, shooting 4-for-6 from the field.
FIRST HALF
The Hardrockers came out strong, hitting back-to-back three-pointers to open the game and take a 6-0 lead. However, the Yellowjackets quickly regained control, going on a 14-6 run led by six points from Kacem and a three-pointer by
Pedro Ellery, giving MSUB a 14-12 advantage. The Yellowjackets continued to build their lead, extending it to five points with baskets from Robinson, Tot, and Johnson. MSUB finished the first half with a 32-24 lead.
SECOND HALF
MSUB started the second half with a 3-0 run, but SD Mines responded with a 5-2 run to cut the deficit to six. At the 15:15 mark, Robinson scored his 11th point of the night to extend the Yellowjackets' lead to eight, but the Hardrockers answered with a 5-0 run, closing the gap to just three points. The next 10 minutes were marked by back-and-forth action until Tot hit his second three-pointer of the night to give MSUB a 59-49 lead. The final minutes saw both teams trading baskets, but the Yellowjackets held on for the 65-53 victory.
STATISTIC LEADERS
POINTS: Jalen Tot (14);
Famous Lefthand (14)
REBOUNDS: David Jones (7);
Kael Robinson (5)
ASSISTS: Jalen Tot (3);
Kael Robinson (2);
Cooper Dewitt (2)
STEALS: David Jones (2); Four Players Tied (1)
BLOCKS: Kael Robinson (1);
David Jones (1)
THE BUZZ: Kael Robinson was named Intermountain Health Player of the Game after posting 13 points while shooting 5-9 from the field, five rebounds, two assists, one steal, and one block.
UP NEXT: The Montana State University Billings men's basketball team is back in action on November 30
th at 2 PM against the University of Providence in Alterowitz Gym.
