BELLINGHAM, Wash. - The Montana State University Billings Yellowjacket men's basketball team (17-6, 11-2 GNAC) downed the Western Washington Vikings (14-10, 6-7 GNAC) with a final score of 88-83.
 
The first half was an offensive shootout with both squads shooting over 50 percent from the field and over 40 percent from beyond the arch. MSUB had an impressive offensive night across the board with four players in double digits and two players with over 20 points. The 'Jackets shot an impressive 57.9 percent on the night with 20 team assists proving how crucial their offense was in their five-point victory.
 
The first three minutes was all offense on both sides of the ball with MSUB going 4-5 in their first five attempts and WWU going 5-5. Daniel Moody and Zharon Richmond were leading the way both shooting 100 percent from the floor. The Yellowjackets held their own in the first ten minutes of play, but the Vikings had put up an impressive 28 points while shooting over 73 percent at this point in the game and proved hard to keep up with. The 'Jackets were slowly decreasing their deficit and eventually tied up the ball game at the 5:15 mark on a slam dunk by Richmond. From there it was a back-and-forth battle with Jalen Tot drawing last blood and heading into the half 45-43 in favor of Western Washington.
 
The Yellowjackets came out with urgency going on a 6-0 run and forcing an early WWU timeout thanks to Steven Richardson who had half of them. The 'Jackets held the lead for over four minutes until the 13:59 mark when the Vikings tied up the ballgame at 58 apiece and later retook the lead. After a pair of buckets by Moody at the halfway mark in the second half the 'Jackets had amounted their largest lead of the night with seven. Richmond would continue his dominance extending their lead to 11 after scoring his 26^th point on four consecutive buckets. The Vikings were able to make it a one possession game multiple times but with under a minute to go Jalen Tot drew an offensive foul, making both and sealing the 88-83 victory.
 
HEAR FROM FENNELLY:
"It was a huge weekend on the road for us winning two games against two teams who are playing very well right now. I'm just proud of the guys for showing such resilience throughout the whole game. Different guys stepped up at different times, but our seniors really carried us in these two wins. We are looking forward to coming home for our last two home games of the season, and last but not least, Go 'Jackets!"
 
KEY PERFORMANCES:
Daniel Moody – 21 PTS (9-12 FG, 2-3 3PT, 1-2 FT), 9 REB, 4 BLK
Jalen Tot – 17 PTS (6-13 FG, 3-4 FT), 3 REB, 7 AST, 1 STL
Famous Lefthand – 12 PTS (4-7 FG, 2-3 3PT, 2-2 FT), 1 REB, 2 AST
 
THE BUZZ: Zharon Richmond was named Intermountain Health Player of the Game after posting 28 points while shooting 10-15 from the field, 7-9 from the line, four rebounds, four assists, and one block.
 
UP NEXT: The Montana State University Billings Yellowjacket men's basketball team returns home for another GNAC matchup vs Western Oregon on February 15^th at 7 PM in Alterowitz Gym.