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Scoreboard

Montana State University Billings Athletics

Composite Calendar
gurske
90
Winner Mont. St. Billings MSUB 16-5,5-3 Great Northwest
72
Alas. Fairbanks UAF 9-8,4-4 Great Northwest
Winner
Mont. St. Billings MSUB
16-5,5-3 Great Northwest
90
Final
72
Alas. Fairbanks UAF
9-8,4-4 Great Northwest
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Mont. St. Billings MSUB 38 52 90
Alas. Fairbanks UAF 40 32 72

Game Recap: Men's Basketball | | Hayden Foltz, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications

Second-Half Surge Lifts MSUB Men’s Basketball Past Alaska Fairbanks, 90-72

FAIRBANKS, Alas. – Improving to 16-5 overall and 5-3 in GNAC play, the Montana State University Billings men's basketball team used a dominant second half to pull away for a 90-72 road victory over the University of Alaska Fairbanks (9-8, 4-4 GNAC) on Thursday night inside the Alaska Airlines Gymnasium.
 
After a tightly contested first half that saw the Yellowjackets trail 40-38 at the break, MSUB flipped the script in dominant fashion, outscoring the Nanooks 52-32 over the final 20 minutes. The 'Jackets were especially lethal from beyond the arc in the second half, knocking down 9-of-15 three-point attempts while tightening up defensively and controlling the tempo.
 
MSUB finished the night shooting 46 percent from the field, 46 percent from three-point range, and 77 percent at the free-throw line. The Yellowjackets also owned the glass, outrebounding Fairbanks 44-32, and forced 14 turnovers while recording nine steals. The balanced effort showed across the box score, as MSUB held advantages in fast-break points (16-9), points off turnovers (27-12), points in the paint (34-26), and second-chance points (14-9).
 
Averaging 24.2 points in his last five games, junior guard Miles Gurske continued his outstanding stretch of play, turning in another career performance to lead all scorers with 29 points. Gurske tied his career high with 10 made field goals and set a new personal best by connecting on seven three-pointers. The Bremerton, WA native also added five rebounds, two assists, and two steals, marking his fifth straight game averaging over 24 points.
 
Four additional Yellowjackets reached double figures, highlighting the team's offensive balance. Croix Cox chipped in 12 points and six rebounds, Jakob Milling finished with 12 points and eight rebounds, Jonas La Tour posted 11 points, eight rebounds, and three steals, and Brandon Tchouya rounded out the double figure scoring with 10 points.  
Game Flow
The night opened with La Tour beating the shot clock on MSUB's second possession with a deep three to give the Yellowjackets an early lead. Fairbanks answered quickly, but MSUB responded with strong interior play and early perimeter shooting to build a 9-5 advantage in the opening minutes.
 
The Yellowjackets extended their lead to double digits midway through the first half behind back-to-back three-pointers and multiple second-chance opportunities. However, the Nanooks found their rhythm from deep, chipping away at the deficit and eventually reclaiming momentum with a late surge that included their seventh three-pointer of the half. Fairbanks took its first lead of the night in the final two minutes and carried a 40-38 edge into halftime.
 
MSUB wasted little time responding after the break, tying the game on a Cox bucket before launching a decisive 13-0 run fueled by a pair of Gurske three-pointers. The run forced a Fairbanks timeout and set the tone for the remainder of the half. Over the next several minutes, the Yellowjackets clamped down defensively, holding UAF to just 18 percent shooting and no made threes while extending their lead to 19.
 
Midway through the second half, MSUB added another surge, using an 8-2 run to push the margin to 72-49. Gurske continued to punish the Nanooks from deep, hitting his fourth and fifth three-pointers to reach 21 points. The Yellowjackets stretched the lead to as many as 29 points in the closing minutes, maintaining control on both ends of the floor.
 
Fairbanks made a late push with an 11-point run in the final three minutes, but the outcome was never in doubt. MSUB closed out the game with steady execution to secure the 90-72 road win.
 
STAT LEADERS
Points: Miles Gurske (29)
Rebounds: Jakob Milling (8); Jonas La Tour (8)
Assists: Mason Landdeck (5)
Steals: Jonas La Tour (3)
Blocks: Jakob Milling (1)
 
THE BUZZ: Miles Gurske was named Intermountain Health Player of the Game after posting 29 points on 10-20 from the field, a career high seven made three pointers, five rebounds, two assists, and two steals.
 
UP NEXT: The Montana State University Billings men's basketball team stays in Alaska, facing off against the University of Alaska Anchorage on January 24th at 9:30 PM (MT).
 
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