LAS VEGAS, Nev.
– A second half surge lifted the Yellowjackets (10-4, 1-0 GNAC) to a dominant 82-69 win over the Lubbock Christian University Chaps (8-4, 3-1 LSC) earlier this evening at the South Point Arena & Equestrian Center. Key performances from
Famous Lefthand and
Kael Robinson helped MSUB close out their non-conference slate with a victory.
Lefthand led the 'Jackets with 23 points while shooting 8-17 from the field, 3-8 from three, and 4-4 from the line while collecting a career high eight rebounds with two assists and one block. Following close behind was Robinson who turned in an 18-point, 14 rebound double-double while also dishing out three assists with one block and one steal.
Following their Thursday night fluke, the #1 three-point shooting squad in the conference bounced back with an impressive offensive display. The Yellowjackets shot just under 52 percent from the field in both halves and ended their night with a 48 percent three-point percentage from beyond the arch as a team. From the tip, MSUB controlled the game, outrebounding the Chaps 43-33, including a 34-24 advantage on the defensive glass.
The 'Jackets had four players reach double digits in scoring and had two players one point shy, including 13 points on 5-6 shooting from
Brendon Johnson, 10 points on 4-7 shooting from
Jajuan Tot, nine points from
Jalen Tot, and nine points from
Cooper Dewitt. Also aiding in the Yellowjackets 13-point victory was outscoring Lubbock 15-7 on fast break points and 10-3 from points off the bench.
HEAR FROM FENNELLY: "It was a great win against a good team, but I'm more proud about our camaraderie after yesterdays loss. They came out ready to go from the start playing team basketball and it showed. We've stressed improving our defense and our rebounding and the guys accepted that challenge today which results in winning basketball. We've certainly been battle tested throughout our non-conference competition and I'm happy where we are at entering into GNAC play."
FIRST HALF
It was the Chaps who got out front early, getting ahead to a 5-0 lead. This didn't last long as the Yellowjackets retook the lead on Lefthand's second triple of the night. MSUB extended their lead to as much as seven points on a three pointer from Johnson, but Lubbock caught fire, going on a 17-7 run to take the advantage at the 1:42 mark in the first half. Robinson then took control, scoring five straight points to end the first half to give the 'Jackets the 36-31 lead heading into the half.
SECOND HALF
Lefthand and the Yellowjackets picked right up where they left off in the second frame after a quick bucket to extend their lead to seven. From there it was back-and-forth until the 11-minute mark when Dewitt doubled their lead to 14 on a deep three pointer. MSUB continued to control the floor and took their largest lead of the night 77-60 after a pair of free throws from Lefthand. The Chaps tried to amount a comeback in the final two minutes of play by sending the 'Jackets to the free throw line but MSUB continued to convert. The Yellowjackets finished the final 20 minutes of play outscoring Lubbock 46-38, ultimately leading them to an 82-69 victory.
STATISTIC LEADERS
POINTS: Famous Lefthand (23);
Kael Robinson (18)
REBOUNDS: Kael Robinson (14);
Famous Lefthand (8)
ASSISTS: Jalen Tot (5);
Jajuan Tot (3);
Kael Robinson (3)
STEALS: Kael Robinson (1);
Jajuan Tot (1)
THE BUZZ: Famous Lefthand was named Intermountain Health Player of the Game after posting 23 points while shooting 8-17 from the field with eight rebounds, two assists, and one block.
UP NEXT: The Montana State University Billings men's basketball team heads into their holiday season break and will resume play on January 2
nd at 8:30 PM (MT) against the Western Oregon Wolves.
