BILLINGS, Mont. — The Montana State University Billings men's basketball team dropped an 82-75 decision to Alaska Anchorage on Thursday night inside Alterowitz Gymnasium. Despite the loss, the Yellowjackets (20-9, 9-7) still sit just one win shy of clinching their spot in the GNAC Tournament.
 
The 'Jackets held a narrow halftime edge but were undone by a red-hot second half from the Seawolves, who shot 57.7 percent from the field over the final 20 minutes. MSUB finished the night at 38.5 percent shooting and struggled from beyond the arc at 6 of 28 (21.4 percent), while Alaska Anchorage converted 29 points off of free throws alone. The 'Jackets owned a 34-22 advantage in points in the paint and forced 13 turnovers that led to 18 points, but second-half efficiency proved to be the difference.
 
Senior guard Mason Landdeck led MSUB with 20 points, hitting a pair of 3-pointers and converting all four of his free-throw attempts while adding three assists. Jakob Milling contributed 13 points and eight rebounds, battling inside throughout the night. Brandon Tchouya turned in a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds to go along with three assists and two steals in 36 minutes off the bench. Jonas La Tour added 10 points and three rebounds.
 
Game Flow
MSUB opened the game with strong defensive intensity, limiting Alaska Anchorage to 8 of 25 shooting in the first half. After an early exchange of baskets, the Yellowjackets found rhythm midway through the period. The Seawolves built up a 14-6 advantage by the 13-and-a-half-minute mark but the 'Jackets used a 7-0 run to pull back within one point.
 
After back-and-forth basketball, Landdeck would connect on a jumper that would spark an explosive 10-0 run that was capped by a Milling three pointer to give the 'Jackets a nine-point lead with just over two minutes left in the half. UAA didn't shy away, as they responded with a 7-1 cutting their deficit to just two points heading into the locker room.
 
The second half began with the Seawolves continuing to attack the paint. Anchorage tied the game at 28-28 with a pair of free throws before taking a two-point advantage on their next possession. Both teams traded punches from there with Anchorage slowly pulling away and at the 12-minute mark they took a 10-point lead with a three pointer. With MSUB struggling to find consistency, the Seawolves continued their push and would take their largest lead of the night (15) with just five and a half minutes left in the game.
 
In the final two minutes, Landdeck knocked down a pair of late 3-pointers to cut the deficit to five, and Tchouya added a putback layup with four seconds remaining to make it 80-75. However, Alaska Anchorage sealed the game at the free-throw line in the closing seconds to secure the 82-75 victory.
 
STAT LEADERS
PTS: Mason Landdeck (20)
REB: Brandon Tchouya (10)
AST: Brandon Tchouya (3)
STL: Brandon Tchouya (2); Pedro Ellery (2)
BLK: Brandon Tchouya (1)
 
THE BUZZ: Brandon Tchouya was named Intermountain Health Player of the Game after posting 17 points on 6-13 from the field while leading the team in rebounds (10), assists (3), steals (2), and blocks (1).
 
UP NEXT: MSUB will look to bounce back on Saturday, Feb. 21, when it hosts Alaska Fairbanks for Senior Night inside Alterowitz Gymnasium at 7:30 p.m.