ELLENSBURG, Wash. — The Montana State University Billings men's basketball team dropped a heartbreaking 77-75 decision to Central Washington on Thursday night inside the Nicholson Arena in a game that featured 18 ties and 17 lead changes.
 
The Yellowjackets (20-7, 9-5 GNAC) shot 40.8 percent from the field and found consistent success inside, scoring 42 points in the paint. MSUB held a 43-38 rebounding advantage and turned 15 offensive boards into 15 second-chance points while also scoring 17 points off turnovers. The difference ultimately came at the free-throw line, where Central Washington converted 21-of-25 attempts, including two with one second remaining to seal the outcome.
 
Senior guard Mason Landdeck paced the 'Jackets with 20 points and 10 assists while going 5-for-5 at the free-throw line and knocking down three 3-pointers. Croix Cox added 14 points on 7-of-12 shooting with five rebounds, two assists, and a steal. Jakob Milling delivered one of his most complete efforts of the season with 14 points, eight rebounds, a career high five steals, and a block. Brandon Tchouya provided six points and seven rebounds off the bench, while Ty Cox chipped in five points, seven boards, and three assists in just 18 minutes of work.
 
Game Flow
MSUB got off to a quick start, winning the opening tip and scoring on its first possession as Croix Cox converted inside. Jakob Milling followed with a layup to give the Yellowjackets an early edge before the Wildcats briefly moved in front. MSUB answered with an alley-oop finish from Cox and a three pointer from Landdeck to regain control, and the two teams settled into a back-and-forth rhythm for much of the first half.
 
The Yellowjackets held a narrow 19-18 lead midway through the opening period and later used an 8-2 run to match their largest lead of the half at four points. Central Washington continued to respond, eventually tying the game at 35 late in the period. Despite 12 lead changes and a near-even shooting performance in the first 20 minutes, MSUB's work on the glass helped it carry a 40-39 advantage into halftime. The 'Jackets outrebounded the Wildcats 25-19 in the first half, including an 11-4 edge in offensive boards that generated extra scoring opportunities.
 
Coming out of the break, MSUB again struck quickly as Milling scored inside to extend the lead. Central Washington answered to tie the game at 46 before La Tour knocked down his first 3-pointer of the night to put the Yellowjackets back in front. The teams continued trading baskets, with neither side able to pull away for long. Landdeck later stepped to the line and hit three free throws to give MSUB its largest lead of the night at 58-53 with just over 12 minutes to play.
 
After a brief scoring lull from both teams, Central Washington chipped away and pulled within one before Ty Cox converted a three-point play to stretch the lead back to four. As the game wore on and the foul count climbed, the Wildcats began to take advantage at the free-throw line. Central Washington used those opportunities to tie the game at 67 with just under six minutes remaining, setting up a dramatic finish.
 
The teams continued to trade possessions in the closing minutes. With 40 seconds left, Central Washington converted a contested layup to take a three-point lead. On the ensuing possession, Milling delivered a clutch three-point play, tying the game at 75 and giving MSUB new life. The Wildcats drew a foul in the final seconds, however, knocking down two free throws with one second on the clock to secure the 77-75 victory.
 
STAT LEADERS
PTS: Mason Landdeck (20)
REB: Jakob Milling (8)
AST: Mason Landdeck (10)
STL: Jakob Milling (5)
BLK: Four players tied (1)
 
THE BUZZ: Mason Landdeck was named Intermountain Health Player of the Game after posting a 20-point, 10-assist double-double.
 
UP NEXT: The Yellowjackets will look to bounce back Saturday, Feb. 14, when they travel to face Northwest Nazarene in Nampa, Idaho. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at the Johnson Sports Center.