ELLENSBURG, Wash. — The Montana State University Billings men's basketball team fell to CSU San Bernardino on Sunday at Nicholson Arena, wrapping up its weekend at the Tip Off Classic. San Bernardino, who received votes in the first DII National Poll claimed the 73-57 victory in the Tipoff finale.
The Yellowjackets (1-2) shot 35.6% from the field and 23.1% from three-point range, while CSU San Bernardino shot 38.6% overall. MSUB grabbed 39 rebounds, collected 12 assists, and blocked eight shots, but the Coyotes scored 18 points off turnovers and converted 22 points at the free-throw line. MSUB also scored 11 second-chance points.
Connor Oertel paced MSUB with 17 points on 7-of-10 shooting, adding five rebounds, three assists and two steals.
Croix Cox earned Player of the Game honors, scoring 14 points on 6-9 while contributing six rebounds, four assists, three blocks and a steal.
Fischer Brown finished with eight points, six rebounds and four blocks, while
Zakai Owens grabbed nine rebounds and scored six points.
Ty Cox added five points and eight rebounds.
MSUB opened the game with a fast-break dunk from Oertel, assisted by Owens, and
Jonas La Tour's 3-pointer helped the Yellowjackets keep pace early. CSU San Bernardino built a 21-11 lead, but MSUB responded with a stretch of defensive stops and scoring from Brown,
Ty Cox and Owens. Cox's basket brought MSUB within one at 25-24, and
Braydon Olson's 3-pointer gave the Yellowjackets a 27-25 lead with 3:19 remaining in the half. The Coyotes closed the period with seven unanswered points to take a 32-27 advantage into halftime.
MSUB trimmed the deficit to five early in the second half on baskets from Cox and Oertel, but the Coyotes answered to push their lead to 41-31. Cox scored inside, then converted two free throws before a steal by Oertel led to a fast-break dunk from Cox, bringing MSUB within four at 41-37. CSU San Bernardino responded with a run to extend its advantage to 49-37, and Oertel's 3-pointer and
Ty Cox's triple helped the Yellowjackets stay within reach. Oertel added another three-pointer and later scored on a driving layup, but the Coyotes maintained their cushion down the stretch to ultimately claim the 73-57 victory to stay undefeated at the Tipoff Classic.
UP NEXT: MSUB closes its weekend at the Tip Off Classic and returns home Monday, Nov. 9, to host Westminster at Alterowitz Gym. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
