FAIRBANKS, Alas. – The Montana State University Billings men's basketball team (19-11, 10-7 GNAC) still sits one magic number away from clinching a GNAC Tournament berth after falling 72-64 to the University of Alaska Fairbanks (12-13, 8-8 GNAC). With the Yellowjackets leading by six at the half, the Nanooks went on to score 51 points while shooting just under 60% to win their third straight while keeping their playoff hopes alive.
In the opening half, the Yellowjackets were outshooting the Nanooks by four points from the field, two from three, and 100-50% from the line but Fairbanks second half surge was too much to restrain. Despite the efflux, MSUB was still able to edge the Nanooks in rebounds 46-37, steals 6-5, second chance points 23-9, and points in the paint 34-24.
Leading the way for the 'Jackets was
Kael Robinson posting his second double-double of the season. Robinson led the team with 17 points on 7-14 while grabbing 14 rebounds with two assists, two blocks, and one steal. Close behind was
Jalen Tot with 16 points while shooting 8-8 from the stripe with four rebounds, one assist, and one steal. Also in double digits was
Cooper Dewitt with 13 points on 5-11 from the field and 3-5 from three while tallying six rebounds, a pair of assists, and a pair of steals. Also contributing to the cause was
Brendon Johnson with 10 rebounds and six points, and
Jajuan Tot with six points and six boards while dishing it out three times.
HEAR FROM COACH FENNELLY: "I'm happy with how the guys battled tonight against a red-hot Fairbanks team with a tough home environment. We were great on the defensive end in the first half even though shots weren't falling for us. Heading into the second half we knew they were going to go on a run and just needed to stay in the fight. We missed some timely shots while they were able to create some confidence, and we were just unable to get over the hump. Give credit to Fairbanks they are a tough team to play at home, but we are just exited to get back to Billings and prepare for Seattle Pacific."
FIRST HALF
The Yellowjackets got things going early with a 6-0 run with four points coming from
Jajuan Tot and two from Robinson. The Nanooks immediately responded with an 8-0 run of their own until Robinson ended their hot streak with another bucket in the paint. From there it was back-and-forth basketball until
Cooper Tyson regained the Yellowjackets advantage, scoring four straight points to make it an 18-14 ballgame with just under seven minutes left in the opening frame.
Jalen Tot extended their lead to seven at the 2:29 mark after connecting on a pair of three pointers, adding his eighth point of the game. In the final minute, Robinson converted a three-point play to give MSUB the 27-21 lead heading into the half time break.
SECOND HALF
Similarly to the opening half, the 'Jackets went on a 4-0 run to extend their lead back to seven on a pair of free throws from
Jalen Tot and another bucket in the paint from Robinson. The low scoring affair continued for the next five minutes but
Cooper Dewitt was able to keep their seven-point lead after rattling in his first points of the night. After a 9-2 run, the Nanooks were able to tie it up 39-39 after connecting on a deep three with just 9:29 remaining in the game. Following was Fairbanks catching fire with another 12-2 run to take their largest lead of the night (12) with just over four minutes to play. From there it was back-and-forth until Robinson was able to cut the Yellowjacket back to single digits with just over a minute left. MSUB tried to foul their way back into the game, but it was the Nanooks that were able to pull out the 72-64 victory.
STATISTIC LEADERS
POINTS: Kael Robinson (17);
Jalen Tot (16)
REBOUNDS: Kael Robinson (14);
Brendon Johnson (10)
ASSISTS: Jajuan Tot (3);
Cooper Dewitt (2);
Kael Robinson (2)
STEALS: Cooper Dewitt (2); Four players tied (1)
BLOCKS: Kael Robinson (2)
THE BUZZ: Kael Robinson was named Intermountain Health Player of the Game after posting his second double-double of the season with 17 points, 14 rebounds, two assists, two blocks, and one steal.
UP NEXT: The Montana State Billings Yellowjacket men's basketball heads home for their final regular season of the season, facing off against the Seattle Pacific Falcons on March 1
st at 2:00 PM in Alterowitz Gymnasium. Prior to tipoff, MSUB Athletics will honor the six seniors of the men's basketball team, awarding them with a plaque. Live statistics for the matchup can be found
here, and the live stream link can be found
here.
