LACEY, Wash. – In one of their most complete performances of the season, the Montana State University Billings men's basketball team (17-6, 6-4 GNAC) delivered a statement road victory Thursday night, knocking off No. 11 Saint Martin's (17-3, 9-1 GNAC) by a final score of 77-71 inside Marcus Pavilion. The win marked the Saints' first conference loss of the season and vaulted the Yellowjackets into a tie for third place in the GNAC standings.
"Unreal effort by our guys in a hostile environment," said head coach
Luke Fennelly. "For us to get back from Alaska last Sunday and then get back on the road to Lacey just shows the guts that this group has. Out preparation and energy was great all week so I'm happy for our guys. They played together and had the best defensive effort of the season. Couldn't be prouder and Go 'Jackets!"
MSUB set the tone on the defensive end, limiting Saint Martin's to just 33 percent shooting from the field, 23 percent from three-point range, and 65 percent from the free-throw line—each figure well below the Saints' season averages. Offensively, the Yellowjackets relied on balance and execution. Four players finished in double figures, while six contributed at least six points, allowing MSUB to withstand multiple Saint Martin's runs without losing control of the game.
Miles Gurske led the way with 21 points, adding eight rebounds, five assists, and a steal in a well-rounded effort.
Mason Landdeck provided a major spark after halftime, scoring all 17 of his points in the second half while also pulling down six rebounds and dishing out five assists.
Jakob Milling earned Intermountain Health Player of the Game honors after posting a 14-point, 11-rebound double-double with two steals, anchoring the Yellowjackets on both ends of the floor.
Brandon Tchouya rounded out the double-figure scorers with an all-around performance of 12 points, eight rebounds, four assists, two steals, and a block.
Game Flow
The Yellowjackets struck first, opening the game with early baskets from Milling and Gurske to establish an early presence inside. Saint Martin's responded quickly, briefly taking the lead before MSUB answered with a dunk from
Croix Cox and a three-pointer by Milling to even the score at 9-9 with 15:41 remaining in the opening half.
What followed was a tightly contested stretch of basketball, with both teams trading baskets and defensive stops. Milling knocked down a pair of free throws at the 12:30 mark to give MSUB a 17-14 advantage, but the Saints answered with an 8-0 run to reclaim a five-point lead. Unfazed, the Yellowjackets stayed patient, getting to the free-throw line as Tchouya and
Jonas La Tour combined to hit four straight foul shots to knot the game at 28-28.
The pace slowed significantly over the final minutes of the half, as both defenses tightened. After Tchouya put MSUB back in front, the Yellowjackets clamped down defensively, holding Saint Martin's scoreless on its final 13 field-goal attempts of the half. Gurske punctuated the run with a corner three in the closing moments, sending MSUB into the locker room with a 37-32 lead.
The second half opened in similar fashion, with a brief scoring drought before Gurske drilled another three to extend the lead to eight. Saint Martin's answered, but Landdeck connected on a much-needed three-pointer—his first of the night—to give MSUB its largest lead at nine. At that point, the Saints were shooting just 31 percent from the field, 18 percent from beyond the arc, and 50 percent from the free-throw line.
MSUB continued to apply pressure as a La Tour three-pointer and a four-point play by Landdeck pushed the advantage to 50-38. After a three-minute scoring drought for both teams, Gurske powered through the lane for a tough basket at the midway point of the half, restoring a 12-point cushion.
Saint Martin's refused to go away, mounting a 9-2 run to cut the deficit to six with just over seven minutes remaining. The Yellowjackets responded with timely stops and smart offensive possessions, maintaining at least a four-point lead for the next several minutes. The Saints made one final push, knocking down a three-pointer to pull within two, but MSUB answered when it mattered most.
With 1:20 remaining, Landdeck buried a step-back three to regain breathing room, and moments later Gurske finished a layup to extend the lead to 74-68 with 35 seconds left. The Yellowjackets then closed out the final possessions to secure the 77-71 upset victory.
STAT LEADERS
Points:
Miles Gurske (21)
Rebounds:
Jakob Milling (11)
Assists:
Miles Gurske (5);
Mason Landdeck (5)
Steals:
Jakob Milling (2);
Brandon Tchouya (2)
Blocks:
Brandon Tchouya (1);
Jonas La Tour (1)
THE BUZZ:
Jakob Milling was named Intermountain Health Player of the Game after posting a 14-point, 11 rebound double-double with two steals.
UP NEXT: The Montana State University Billings men's basketball team heads south to Monmouth, OR to take on the Western Oregon Wolves on January 31 at 5:15 pm (mt).
