BILLINGS, Mont. – The Montana State University Billings men's basketball team put an end to a five-game skid with a huge 83-70 victory over Alaska Fairbanks (9-8, 5-3 GNAC) in a Thursday night home showdown. The 'Jackets improve to 12-9 overall, and 3-5 in GNAC play with just one game remaining before the second half of conference play.
The Yellowjackets were able to dominate the second half of the game, outscoring the Nanooks 41-28 in Alterowitz Gym. This was highlighted by their disciplined offense, dishing out 20 assists as a team and turning it over just five times. The 'Jackets also benefited by getting themselves to the free-throw line, nearly doubling the amount attempted by Fairbanks. MSUB came out of halftime aggressive, going on a 23-8 run early in the second half which ended up being the separator.
Kael Robinson had one of his most efficient nights as a Yellowjacket, shooting 62% from the field on 13 attempts, while going 9-11 from the stripe. Robinson ended the night with 26 points, nine rebounds, three assists, and a block.
Famous Lefthand had 19 points of his own, helping him surpass the 1,500-point mark for his collegiate career. Players to watch in the upcoming contests are
Jalen Tot, who is just 18 points from also hitting 1,500 career points, and
Brendon Johnson who sits just 61 points away from 1,000 in his collegiate career.
Johnson was the last in double figures for the 'Jackets, adding 15 points while also snatching four steals on the defensive end. Also making some noise across the board was
Cooper Dewitt who ended his night with an impressive nine points, five boards, posted a career-high of five assists, and tied his career high in steals with four.
FIRST HALF
The 'Jackets were able to get off to a solid start, going on a 9-2 run early. UAF kept the pressure on, hitting back-to-back three's to take a 2-point lead with 8:52 left in the first. Tot and Lefthand ended the half with back-to-back three-point plays for MSUB, Lefthand's being an and-one that pushed him to 1,500 career point milestone. The Yellowjackets were able to hold the lead for over 15 minutes, but after a surge from the Nanooks the squads headed into the half tied at 42.
SECOND HALF
The second half was fully controlled by the 'Jackets, going on a 19-9 run in the first six minutes. The offense found success down low, scoring 42 points in the paint to Alaka Fairbanks' 20. Pestering defense also allowed MSUB to force ten turnovers, converting them into 15 fast break points. The Yellowjackets were ultimately able to pull away to a 14-point lead with 4:37 left and never looked back, taking home the 83-70 victory.
STATISTIC LEADERS
POINTS: Kael Robinson (26);
Famous Lefthand (19)
REBOUNDS: Kael Robinson (9);
Cooper Dewitt (5)
ASSISTS: Cooper Dewitt (5);
Brendon Johnson (4)
STEALS: Cooper Dewitt &
Brendon Johnson (4);
Jalen Tot (3)
BLOCKS: Kael Robinson (1)
THE BUZZ: Kael Robinson was named Intermountain Health Player of the Game after posting 26 points, nine rebounds, three assists, and one block while shooting 62 percent from the field on 13 attempts.
UP NEXT: The Montana State Billings Yellowjacket men's basketball team stays home for another Great Northwest Athletic Conference matchup against the University of Alaska Anchorage on Saturday, January 25
th at 2:00 PM. Both basketball teams will host their annual MMIW night where they will honor all the missing and murdered indigenous women by wearing red and supporting the MMIW halftime performance. Live statistics for the Saturday afternoon contest can be found
here, and the live stream link can be found
here.
