BILLINGS, Mont. – Alterowitz Gym was buzzing this afternoon as the Montana State Billings Yellowjacket men's basketball team secured a 73-67 victory over the Seattle Pacific Falcons (15-14, 11-7 GNAC) on Senior Day. The game marked the final regular-season contest for MSUB, and the win capped a historic season, giving them their third consecutive 20-win campaign—an achievement never before seen in the GNAC era and the first since 1984-87, when the team captured an NCAA West Region Championship.
With the win, the Yellowjackets improved to 20-11 overall and 11-7 in GNAC play, locking in the #5 seed for the GNAC Tournament. MSUB will now await their matchup against either Seattle Pacific or Western Washington, depending on the result of tonight's game between WWU and Northwest Nazarene.
Leading the way for the Yellowjackets and posting his second double-double of the season,
Brendon Johnson put up video game numbers in their final regular season game of the season. Johnson led all scorers with 22 points while shooting 7-10 from the field, 2-5 from beyond the arch, and 6-8 from the stripe while tallying 10 rebounds and four assists. Following close behind was
Jalen Tot with 17 points, three boards, and three steals. Rounding out the double-digit scores for the 'Jackets was
Kael Robinson with 15 points on 7-7 from the line while tallying six rebounds, three assists, one block, and one steal.
HEAR FROM COACH FENNELLY: "Really liked our energy and pace to start the game, our guys played together and shared the ball at a high level today. Our activity on defense made it difficult for them to score in the first half which led to our advantage. We knew they'd make a run in the second half, but we just had to stick to our game plan. Proud of how the guys stuck together, got key stops, and executed to finish the game the right way. Couldn't be more thankful for a great group of seniors. Go 'Jackets!"
The Yellowjackets displayed a potent offensive attack in the first half, shooting nearly 60% from the field and nearly 40% from beyond the arc, but it was their defense that truly made the difference. MSUB forced 19 turnovers while committing just eight, and they tallied 16 steals, converting those turnovers into 21 points. The Yellowjackets also held the advantage in blocks (4-1), fast-break points (12-2), second-chance points (15-9), and free-throw percentage (77% to 43%). On the defensive end,
Jajuan Tot was a standout with five steals, five assists, and seven points while
Cooper Dewitt also contributed four steals and four rebounds while scoring nine points.
FIRST HALF
MSUB came out strong in their final regular-season game, jumping to an early seven-point lead after an 11-4 run to open the game. The Yellowjackets continued to build on their lead, extending it to 21-10 at the 10-minute mark, thanks to five straight points from Johnson. MSUB's offense clicked as they went on a 9-2 run, with a three from Dewitt and a jumper from Robinson pushing the lead to 30-15. The 'Jackets would take their largest lead of the night (15 points) before heading into halftime with a commanding 46-26 advantage. MSUB shot an impressive 58% from the field and 39% from three, while limiting the Falcons to just 50% shooting and 14% from long distance.
SECOND HALF
The Falcons came out of the break with some momentum, starting with a 5-0 run to trim the MSUB lead to 17 points. However, the Yellowjackets quickly responded with six unanswered points, including a pair of free throws from Robinson and scores by Johnson and
Jalen Tot, pushing their lead back to 23. Seattle Pacific mounted a comeback, closing the gap to 10 points after a 15-2 run with just under 10 minutes remaining. Despite a brief scoring lull, MSUB regained control with a three-point play from Robinson, a three-pointer from Johnson, and a contested layup from
Jalen Tot to make it 64-48. The game went back-and-forth in the final minutes, but the Falcons made things interesting with back-to-back three-pointers, cutting the lead to just five points with 3:46 to go. MSUB held strong and managed to fend off the SPU comeback, ultimately securing a 73-67 victory.
STATISTIC LEADERS
POINTS: Brendon Johnson (22);
Jalen Tot (17)
REBOUNDS: Brendon Johnson (10);
Kael Robinson (6)
ASSISTS: Jajuan Tot (5);
Brendon Johnson (4)
STEALS: Jajuan Tot (5);
Cooper Dewitt (4)
BLOCKS: Fares Kacem (3);
Kael Robinson (1)
THE BUZZ: Brendon Johnson was named Intermountain Health Player of the Game after posting a 22-point, 10 rebound double-double. Johnson also shot 70% from the field, 40% from three, and 75% from the line with four assists to add.
UP NEXT: The Montana State Billings Yellowjacket men's basketball heads to Lacey, Washington for the Great Northwest Athletic Conference Tournament. The Yellowjackets have locked in their spot as the #5 seed and will play either Seattle Pacific or Western Washington, depending on WWU's result tonight.
