(MSUB Athletics release)
SAN DIEGO – Point Loma Nazarene University shot nearly 60-percent and used a 57-point second half to defeat the Montana State University Billings Yellowjackets 100-75 in the first game of the men’s basketball PacWest crossover tournament Friday night at Golden Gymnasium. The Yellowjackets were accurate from the 3-point arc throughout the night and trailed by just two points (43-41) at halftime, but the Sea Lions shot lights out from all over the floor and consistently drew fouls to extend their second half lead.
Junior guard Daulton Hommes was potent for the Sea Lions offensively and finished with 33 points on 11 field goals along with seven 3-pointers. Hommes was also 4-for-4 from the free throw line and added five rebounds. Tyler Green led the scoring for MSUB with 19 points and five 3-pointers.
“We knew Hommes was going to be a tough assignment tonight and he ended up with 33 points but I thought we had an excellent first half again,” commented head coach Mick Durham. “Tyler Green got us going early and was really efficient shooting. We have to keep getting better, especially in the second half of games. It continues to be important for us to take care of the ball defensively and we have to do that tomorrow against Fresno Pacific. They have a pretty similar style team to how we play so we are looking forward to the quick turnaround.”
Zack Rollins had 15 points for the Yellowjackets and Brendan Howard finished with 12. MSU Billings shot 50.9 percent from the field with 29 made field goals on 57 attempts. Point Loma Nazarene led 15-1 in points off turnovers in the first half and finished ahead 22-8 in the category for the game.
The Yellowjackets were narrowly out-rebounded 24-20 on defense and 8-6 on the offensive glass. The Sea Lions outscored MSUB off the bench 27-17. Neither team had many opportunities for fast break points and the two teams finished even at 36 for points in the paint.
Sterling Somers had 16 points for Point Loma Nazarene and Preston Beverly recorded 13 points for PLNU. Josh Rodriguez passed in 11 assists for the Sea Lions to lead all players.
Montana State University Billings (0-1, 0-0 GNAC) has played three difficult opponents to start the season. The ‘Jackets lost two exhibition games against NCAA Division I opponents before falling Friday night to Point Loma Nazarene (1-0, 0-0 PacWest).
FIRST HALF BREAKDOWN: Zack Rollins started off the scoring for Montana State Billings with an off-balance 3-pointer from the corner and followed with a pair of blocks in the first five minutes to give the ‘Jackets a 9-8 advantage. After MSUB built up its’ lead to eight, the Sea Lions made back-to-back 3-pointers to eventually tie the score 32-32. The teams traded 5-point runs nearing the end of the first half and PLNU finished on top 43-41.
Tyler Green was 4-of-5 shooting in the first 20 minutes of play to lead the ‘Jackets with 11 pts. Rollins had 10 points and two 3-point shots made. The Yellowjackets outshot the Sea Lions 57.1 percent to 51.6 percent but Point Loma Nazarene held a large advantage in points off turnovers 15-1.
Daulton Hommes was 7-of-13 shooting in the first half for Point Loma Nazarene with 18 points.
SECOND HALF BREAKDOWN: Frequent lead changes continued to come in the second half. Hommes continued find space on MSU Billings defenders from three point range, but the ‘Jackets continued to shoot well in the opening minutes.
In the final ten minutes of the game, Point Loma Nazarene extended its’ lead well into double figures, helped by a 4-point play in the left corner by former MSUB Yellowjacket Preston Beverly. The Sea Lions continued to shoot north of 50-percent from the field and drew fouls by MSUB to gain point after opportunities. The Yellowjackets made 45 percent of their three point shots in the game but the Sea Lions cashed in on 55.6 percent, leaving little chance for a late comeback by the visitors.
NEXT UP: Montana State Billings (0-0, 0-0 GNAC) continues in the west region crossover tournament with a game against Fresno Pacific University (0-0, 0-0 PacWest) Saturday November 10 at 5:30 p.m. Pacific.
THE BUZZ: Tyler Green earned St. Vincent player of the game for Montana State University Billings. Green went 7-for-8 on all field goals and 5-for-6 from beyond the arc to finish with 19 points…The Yellowjackets and Sea Lions met for the first time in history Friday night.
