BILLINGS, Mont.- The Montana State University Billings men's basketball team (1-0) opened its 2025-26 season in dominant fashion Friday afternoon, defeating New Mexico Highlands (0-1) 91-67 at Alterowitz Gymnasium.
"Always nice to get the first win of the season," said head coach
Luke Fennelly. "Proud of the guys effort and toughness against a very athletic, physical team. Our depth was key tonight in helping us play fast and continued to provide a spark for us throughout the game. The guys played tough and together which ultimately helped us seal the win."
In the first-ever meeting between the two programs, the game turned physical early, featuring 51 combined fouls and five technicals. The Yellowjackets came out on top of the scrappy contest, capitalizing at the free-throw line by shooting 31-for-40 as a team.
Leading the way for MSUB was
Mason Landdeck, who poured in 28 points, including 15 from the stripe.
Brandon Tchouya added 13 points, six rebounds, and five assists, while
Jonas La Tour contributed across the board with 11 points, seven rebounds, five assists, and two steals. Tchouya's third point of the night was one he will not forget as the senior transfer hit the 1,000 career point milestone.
Ty Cox and
Cam Malray each chipped in 11 points apiece. In his Yellowjacket debut,
Croix Cox made an impact inside despite early foul trouble, finishing with nine rebounds, two blocks, four points, and a steal.
MSUB controlled nearly every statistical category in the 24-point win—outshooting the Cowboys 40% to 33%, outrebounding them 44-38, and leading in assists (19-13), blocks (4-2), and steals (8-6). The 'Jackets also created separation in points in the paint (34-20), points off turnovers (16-8), fast-break points (31-11), and bench scoring (43-22).
The opening minutes were slow, with both teams combining for just 13 points in the first five minutes. Momentum shifted midway through the half when Landdeck's bucket gave MSUB a 20-18 lead—a lead they would not relinquish. By the 10-minute mark, the Yellowjackets extended their advantage to seven following back-to-back scores from
Croix Cox, punctuated by a highlight-reel dunk. MSUB continued to build separation, taking a 52-40 lead into halftime.
Coming out of the break,
Miles Gurske buried a three-pointer to push the lead to 15, and Malray added four straight free throws to keep the pressure on. The Yellowjackets' defense stifled the Cowboys, holding them to just 10 points through the first 12 minutes of the second half.
Cooper Tyson extended the lead to a game-high 25 with a jumper, and hometown product
Gabe Hatler energized the crowd with an alley-oop dunk off a feed from
Rhyse Owens. From there, MSUB cruised to a convincing 91-67 victory to start their 2025-26 season 1-0.
STAT LEADERS
Points: Mason Landdeck (28)
Rebounds: Croix Cox (9)
Assists: Jonas La Tour (5);
Brandon Tchouya (5)
Steals: Jonas La Tour (2);
Ty Cox (2)
Blocks: Croix Cox (2)
THE BUZZ: Mason Landdeck was named Intermountain Health Player of the Game after posting 28 points on 5-13 from the field, 3-7 from three, and 15-19 from the line while adding three rebounds, three assists, and one steal.
UP NEXT: The Montana State University Billings men's basketball team is back in action tomorrow for their second game of the D2 CCA Tipoff Classic at the Trailhead against Central Missouri at 1:00pm.
