BILLINGS, Mont. — A dramatic buzzer-beating three from
Jakob Milling forced overtime, but the Montana State University Billings men's basketball team dropped a 101-97 overtime heartbreaker to Alaska Fairbanks on Saturday night in Alterowitz Gym.
With a GNAC Tournament berth within reach and a Senior Night crowd behind them, the Yellowjackets (20-10, 9-8 GNAC) erased a six-point deficit in the final 3:30 of regulation. Millings heroics were unfortunately overshadowed as the Nanooks outscored MSUB 18-14 in overtimes to claim the four point victory.
The 'Jackets ended their night shooting 47.4 percent (37-of-78) from the floor and 37.5 percent (12-of-32) from 3-point range while converting 11-of-15 at the free-throw line. MSUB controlled the offensive glass with 18 offensive rebounds, turning those into a 25-10 advantage in second-chance points, and outscored the Nanooks 40-36 in the paint. The contest featured 15 ties, 14 lead changes, and both teams controlling an advantage for nearly 20 minutes each, underscoring the back-and-forth nature of the game.
Despite the loss, the Yellowjacket seniors put on a shot as
Mason Landdeck delivered one of his strongest performances of the season, Milling hit the big shot, and
Brandon Tchouya and
Pedro Ellery each reached double figures. Landdeck led the way, pouring in 30 points with a 44 percent efficiency from the field to go along with seven assists, four rebounds and a steal in 43 minutes of action.
Tchouya added 18 points, five rebounds, four assists and two steals in his first start of the season, while Milling totaled 11 points, six rebounds, four assists and a block.
Pedro Ellery and
Gabe Hatler each scored 10 points, and
Ty Cox provided six points and a team-best eight rebounds off the bench.
Game Flow
Alaska Fairbanks opened the night with sharp perimeter shooting, jumping out to an early 6-0 lead, but MSUB responded quickly, as Landdeck knocked down a 3-pointer and Milling converted inside to settle the Yellowjackets. The two teams traded baskets through the opening eight minutes, with Tchouya attacking in transition and Ellery connecting from deep to keep the score tight.
Midway through the first half, MSUB found rhythm offensively with Hatler providing a spark off the bench with a pair of interior buckets, and the Cox brothers adding second-chance points that energized the home crowd. The Nanooks managed to edge ahead late in the period, but Landdeck answered with a pair of free throws to tie it back up at the 4:50 mark. From there, Alaska Fairbanks closed the half on a small run, and the Yellowjackets entered the locker room trailing 46-41.
Coming out of the break, MSUB immediately attacked the perimeter. Tchouya, Ellery, and Landdeck combined for early threes to form a 10-4 swing, regaining a 51-50 MSUB advantage. The momentum swung repeatedly over the next several possessions until the Yellowjackets took their largest lead of the night (9) behind an impressive 10-0 run.
The next three minutes was all Fairbanks, as they would answer with an 11-0 run to retake the lead. After trading bunches for the next five minutes, UAF's Mike Miller delivered a clutch 3-pointer with 39 seconds remaining to give the Nanooks an 81-78 lead. After the Yellowjackets scored inside to trim the margin to one, Fairbanks went back to the free-throw line where it extended the lead to three with 11 seconds left. However, Milling answered with a 3-pointer at the buzzer, sending the contest to overtime tied at 83-83.
In the extra session, UAF struck first but Ellery answered with a pair of free throws to knot it back up. The Nanooks led by as many as five midway through overtime, but the Yellowjackets continued to counter with big shots of their own. The 'Jackets had opportunities down the stretch but were forced to foul in the final seconds, and the Nanooks converted at the line to secure the 101-97 win.
STAT LEADERS
PTS: Mason Landdeck (30)
REB: Ty Cox (8)
AST: Mason Landdeck (7)
STL: Brandon Tchouya (2);
Gabe Hatler (2)
BLK: Jakob Milling (1)
THE BUZZ: Mason Landdeck was named Intermountain Health Player of the Game after posting his third 30+ point performance of the season. The senior shot 10-23 from the field, 6-15 from beyond the arc, and 4-4 from the line while leading the team with seven assists.
UP NEXT: The Montana State University Billings men's basketball team will wrap up the regular season next Saturday on the road against Seattle Pacific.
