ELLENSBURG, Wash. - The Montana State University Billings Yellowjacket men's basketball team (20-9) were upset in the final seconds after the Central Washington Wildcats (20-9) hit a three-pointer to claim the 81-80 victory. Despite the loss, the 'Jackets await the West Regional Tournament selections on March 11^th at 9:00 PM to see if they are selected for the NCAA Tournament as an at-large bit.
 
The 'Jackets were against all odds facing the Wildcats that are 15-1 at home on the season with a home crowd of 1,387 at their backs. The Yellowjackets kept the home crowd quiet for most of the game as they led for over 37 minutes behind another incredible performance by Zharon Richmond. Richmond posted a double-double with 27 points and 12 rebounds while shooting 8-13 from the field, 3-3 from beyond the arch, and 8-10 from the line.
 
HEAR FROM FENNELLY: "What a heck of a game, our guys fought until the very end against a tough team in a tough environment. This league is legit from top to bottom and every night is going to be a battle. Central has only lost once at home all season and you can see why, but give CWU the credit, they made tough shots at the end, but we unfortunately didn't. Our guys competed from top to bottom and got a taste of March Madness and I couldn't be prouder of their performances this season."
 
The primetime matchup was chippy all night with 39 total combined personal fouls and 44 total combined free-throw attempts. The 'Jackets outshot the Wildcats 45.5-42.9 percent from the field and 56-34.5 percent from three with 14 made triples. The Wildcats found their success with points in the paint as they outscored MSUB 32-18.
 
A large part in the Yellowjackets success was another flawless performance from Bryce Whitaker who posted 13 points while shooting 3-4 from the field, 3-3 from three, and 4-4 from the line in just 11 minutes of play.
 
MSUB came out of the gates firing on all cylinders going on an early 15-4 run behind Zharon Richmond and Steven Richardson who combined for eight of them. After Richmond went off for nine points in just five minutes the Wildcats chipped away during this stretch and followed that with a 9-0 run of their own to tie up the ballgame at 29 with 3:19 left in the opening half. Jalen Tot quickly responded with a crowd silencing three-pointer, followed by a Richmond triple to help the 'Jackets head into the locker room with a 36-32 lead.
 
The Wildcats opened the second half of play with a mission, going on an impressive 13-9 run while outshooting the 'Jackets 63-45 percent from the field in the first five minutes of play in the half. The Yellowjackets more than answered going on a 10-0 run behind Bryce Whitaker who hit back-to-back triples to help take their largest lead of the night (12) with 10 minutes remaining in the game. From there it was back-and-forth battle until the Wildcats started to make their move at the 4:10 mark and went on to outscore the 'Jackets on a 13-8 run to bring them within two with 27 seconds left in the ballgame. Moody followed that with sinking two clutch free throws to extend their lead to four but that would be the last points from the Yellowjackets. Central went on a 5-0 run including a game winning three -pointer with just three seconds left to play to upset the 'Jackets 81-80.
 
KEY PERFORMANCES:
Jalen Tot – 14 PTS (4-9 3PT), 5 REB, 4 AST, 1 STL
Bryce Whitaker – 13 PTS (3-4 FG, 3-3 3PT, 4-4 FT), 1 REB, 1 AST
Daniel Moody – 11 PTS, 7 REB, 3 AST, 1 BLK
Famous Lefthand – 8 PTS, 3 REB, 4 AST, 1 STL, 1 BLK
 
THE BUZZ: Zharon Richmond was named Intermountain Health Player of the Game after posting 27 points while shooting 8-13 from the field, 3-3 from beyond the arch, and 8-10 from the line. Not only was it his third straight 27+ point performance but he also posted a double-double with 12 rebounds.
 
UP NEXT: The Montana State University Billings Yellowjacket men's basketball team will wait to see if they are chosen as an at-large bit for the NCAA West Region Tournament as the selections will take place this Sunday at 9:00 PM.