BILLINGS, Mont.- Closing out the D2 CCA Tipoff Classic with a flawless weekend performance, the Montana State University Billings men's basketball team (3-0) powered past the University of Nebraska–Kearney (1-2) in dominant fashion, securing a 100-80 victory Sunday afternoon at Alterowitz Gymnasium.
From the opening tip, the Yellowjackets controlled every aspect of the game. Just 18 seconds in, MSUB took the lead—one they would never relinquish. Behind an explosive offensive display and stifling defensive pressure, the 'Jackets built their advantage to as many as 25 points and cruised to their first 100-point outing since last season's double-overtime GNAC Semifinal thriller. As a team, MSUB shot an impressive 48 percent from the floor and 36 percent from beyond the arc.
Eleven Yellowjackets found their way onto the scoresheet, with five reaching double figures.
Croix Cox led the charge, earning Player of the Game honors with a 16-point, 11-rebound double-double.
Mason Landdeck, the reigning GNAC Tournament MVP and newly crowned D2 CCA Tipoff Classic MVP, continued his stellar form with 15 points, eight assists, and five steals—finishing the weekend with 59 total points over three games.
Landdeck was joined on the All-Tournament Team by teammates
Miles Gurske and
Jonas La Tour, both of whom made key contributions in Sunday's win. Gurske tallied 14 points on 5-of-10 shooting in just 17 minutes while adding seven rebounds, three steals, and two assists. La Tour was equally sharp, recording 11 points on 4-of-6 from the field and 3-of-4 from deep, alongside two assists and a steal.
The second half saw more of the same dominance. MSUB's lead never dipped below 12 points as the 'Jackets maintained control on both ends. Their defensive intensity forced turnovers and limited the Lopers' three-point efficiency to just 33 percent. Meanwhile, the Yellowjackets connected on 50 percent of their own shots from the field and an impressive 43 percent from beyond the arc.
MSUB's depth proved pivotal, as the team outscored Nebraska–Kearney 36-13 in points off turnovers, 23-10 in second-chance opportunities, 36-13 in bench production, and 56-28 in the paint. Fittingly, Hatler punctuated the victory with a slam dunk in the closing moments, finishing with a career-high 12 points to cap off a perfect 3-0 weekend for the Yellowjackets.
Also contributing to their third straight win was
Ty Cox who had nine points, three rebounds, two steals, and one assist.
Jakob Milling and
Pedro Ellery each chipped in eight points apiece with Milling also adding five assists and three rebounds. Rounding out the 'Jackets was
Brandon Tchouya who had three points, four rebounds, and two assists, and
Rhyse Owens who had one bucket, three rebounds, and two assists in just 10 minutes of play.
STAT LEADERS
Points: Croix Cox (16)
Rebounds: Croix Cox (11)
Assists: Mason Landdeck (8)
Steals: Mason Landdeck (5)
ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
MVP: Mason Landdeck, MSUB
Jesaiah McWright, Angelo State
Jaqai Murray, Angelo State
Ja'Bryant Hill, Nebraska Kearney
Kendrick Gilbert, Nebraska Kearney
Lazarek Houston, Central Missouri
Jevon Hill, Central Missouri
Markus Pastorcic-Straun, Mines
Miles Gurske, MSUB
Jonas La Tour, MSUB
THE BUZZ: Croix Cox was named Intermountain Health Player of the Game after posting a 16-point, 11 rebound double-double.
UP NEXT: The Montana State University Billings men's basketball team turns around quick for the GNAC/PacWest Crossover Tournament, hosted by the University of Hawaii at Hilo. The Yellowjackets will take on the host at 11:00pm (MT) on November 14
th, followed by Westmont College at 9:00pm (MT) on November 15
th.
