SEATTLE, Wash.
– In a hard-fought, high-energy matchup, the Montana State University Billings Yellowjackets (8-2, 1-0 GNAC) emerged victorious in an 88-83 overtime thriller against Seattle Pacific (2-8, 0-1 GNAC) on December 7, 2024, at Brougham Pavilion in Seattle, WA.
The performance of
Brendon Johnson was pivotal in securing the victory. Johnson finished with 25 points on 8-of-11 shooting, including 5-of-7 from beyond the arc, while also contributing 8 rebounds and 2 assists.
Kael Robinson also played a crucial role, scoring 24 points with 10 rebounds, providing the Yellowjackets with the scoring punch they needed in crunch time.
Jalen Tot added 10 points and 6 rebounds, continuing his strong all-around play, and
Cooper Dewitt contributed 15 points off the bench in just 29 minutes of action.
HEAR FROM FENNELLY: "It was a gritty win for the guys, nine of them just experienced what GNAC play is like on any given night. SPU is always tough at home so it too everyone to hang tough for all 45 minutes. We had huge minutes from Brendon and Cooper to get us into a winning position late in the game. We will enjoy it until midnight and then onto the next one. Go 'Jackets!"
The Yellowjackets' free-throw shooting was a crucial factor in the overtime victory. MSUB hit 15 of 20 free throws (75%), with an especially clutch performance in overtime, converting 9 of 10 attempts (90%). This proved to be a key difference, as Seattle Pacific struggled to capitalize on their free-throw opportunities, finishing with a 75% clip (12-16).
MSUB dominated on the boards, out-rebounding Seattle Pacific 34-28 overall, and 6-3 on the offensive glass. This rebounding edge was significant in limiting the Falcons' second-chance opportunities. Defensively, the Yellowjackets forced 11 turnovers, turning those mistakes into 18 points off turnovers. The Yellowjackets also excelled in fast-break points, scoring 11 compared to Seattle Pacific's 7, using their defense to fuel their offense.
FIRST HALF
It was the Falcons getting things started, scoring seven straight unanswered points to take the early 7-0 lead in the opening 20 minutes of play. MSUB quickly responded with a triple from Johnson and a layup from Lefthand, but the Falcons continued to extend their lead to 16-5 as the Yellowjackets struggled to get things going. From there it was back-and-forth until the 11-minute mark when Robinson scored five straight points, followed by a bucked from Johnson to bring the 'Jackets back within four points. At the three-minute mark MSUB took their first lead of the game after Lefthand dished it to Johnson who connected from beyond the arch for his 20
th point of the game. Following was more back-and-forth basketball and both squads headed into the half tied up at 36 apiece.
SECOND HALF
The second half of the night opened similarly to the first, with the Falcons going on a 16-7 run to regain a nine-point lead. The Yellowjackets then responded with an 8-2 run of their own to bring their deficit back within two points with just over 10 minutes to go. After a three-point play from Robinson and a pull up jumper from Tot the 'Jackets tied the game back up at 59 apiece. After another bucket from Robinson, Johnson hit his fifth triple of the night at the 3:44 mark to give MSUB a three-point lead. The Saturday night matchup came down to the wire, with under a minute to play and the 'Jackets down by two, no other than
Jalen Tot hit a layup to tie up the ballgame and sending it to overtime.
OVERTIME
In the extra period, MSUB's composure and free-throw shooting proved to be the difference. The Yellowjackets went a perfect 9-for-10 from the free-throw line in overtime, capitalizing on their opportunities to secure the win. Despite a late surge from Moriarty and the Falcons, MSUB's defense tightened up, limiting Seattle Pacific to just 12 points in overtime. Dewitt and Robinson dominated, combining for 12 with six points apiece to lead MSUB to an 88-83 victory.
STATISTIC LEADERS
POINTS: Brendon Johnson (25);
Kael Robinson (24)
REBOUNDS: Kael Robinson (10);
Brendon Johnson (8)
ASSISTS: Jalen Tot (5); Three player tied (2)
STEALS: Kael Robinson (2);
Cooper Dewitt (2);
Jajuan Tot (2);
David Jones (2)
BLOCKS: Kael Robinson (2)
THE BUZZ: Brendon Johnson was named Intermountain Health Player of the Game after posting 25 points with eight rebounds while shooting over 72% from the field and 71% from beyond the arch.
UP NEXT: The Montana State University Billings men's basketball team will play in their second Rimrock Rivalry matchup of the season on December 10
th at 7 PM against the Rocky Mountain Battlin' Bears in the Fortin Center.
