BILLINGS – Saturday’s Battle of the Yellowjackets went to the home team.
MSU Billings used a 19-2 run late in the second half to pull away from Black Hills State for a 90-70 win at Alterowitz Gym. Black Hills led by as many as 11, 41-30 late in the first half, before MSUB responded after the break.
Melvin Newbern, Jr. led MSUB with 22 points and 11 rebounds on 7-of-8 shooting in just 24 minutes of play. Tyler Green added 19 on 5-of-9 3-point shooting, while Brendan Howard scored 16 in just 18 minutes.
Zack Rollins scored 13 with eight rebounds, while Zharon Richmond was the fifth MSUB player in double figures with 10.
Makaleb McInnis led Black Hills with 18 points, but the Jackets shot just 36.5 percent from the field (23 of 63). MSUB shot 54.5 percent (30 of 55), including 11 of 23 from 3-point range.
MSUB moves to 3-3 on the season. The Jackets begin GNAC play Tuesday at home against Alaska-Fairbanks, the school first-year MSUB head coach Mick Durham left to take the Yellowjackets job back in March.
