(MSU Billings release)
BILLINGS – With three scorers in double figures and a 36.1 shooting percentage from the field, the Montana State University Billings Yellowjackets (13-16, 5-13 GNAC) just couldn’t make enough shots to keep up with the Seattle Pacific University Falcons (15-10, 10-8 GNAC) in a 74-60 loss in Billings.
With the win, the Falcons earn the season sweep over the ‘Jackets after previously winning 98-87 in Seattle. The loss also officially eliminates MSUB from GNAC Championship contention.
“I felt like our guys played hard all night,” head coach Jamie Stevens said after the game. “We just weren’t able to string any runs together to cut into their early lead. We took care of the ball, rebounded well and guarded well enough to hold a good team to 74 points. Seattle Pacific just made more plays overall and earned the win.”
MSU Billings never led in the game after Seattle Pacific scored the first five points of the game and never led by fewer than three points. The ‘Jackets shot just 25.7 percent while scoring 23 first-half points against the Falcons’ 64 percent from the field for 38 points.
Kobe Terashima was the leading scorer for the Yellowjackets with 15 points in the game. Terashima also had a team-high four assists and added three rebounds. All five Yellowjacket starters played more than 30 minutes in the game led by Kendall Denham who was on the floor for all but two minutes in the game. Denham tied for the team lead with seven rebounds against SPU and dished three assists.
Zharon Richmond was the second leading scorer for MSUB with 14 points in 37 minutes of play. Zack Rollins was the third ‘Jacket in double-figures with 12 in the game along with five rebounds. Sven Jeuschede provided the ‘Jackets with six points off the bench as the ‘Jackets were down to just nine men in the game.
MSUB out-rebounded the Falcons 34-31 thanks to strong efforts from Denham and Hafeez Abdul who each grabbed seven boards. Kamal Tall grabbed six rebounds in eight minutes on the floor.
In the second half, the Yellowjackets outscored SPU 37-36 but never narrowed the gap to less than 11. MSUB didn’t make a 3-pointer in the first half and finished the game with a season low four makes from beyond the arc.
Seattle Pacific was led by 26 points from Coleman Wooten in the game as he was one of three Falcons to score more than 10 points. Gavin Long and Nathan Streufert scored 13 and 10 respectively while Gabe Colosimo dished 10 assists in the game.
The Yellowjackets’ 2018 season will conclude next weekend with games against the University of Alaska and Alaska Anchorage next weekend in Alterowitz. MSUB fell to both Alaska teams to start the GNAC season in November and early December. The ‘Jackets will face the Nanooks at 7 p.m. on Thursday before facing the Seawolves at 7 p.m. on Saturday.
