Southeast Montana News

‘Jackets Wrap up Historic Season with loss to UAA

The Montana State University Billings men's basketball team concluded their regular season with a hard fought 61-70 loss to University of Alaska Anchorage.

 

In the 'Jackets final home game, and in front of a crowd there to honor MSUB's five seniors on senior night, the Yellowjackets (20-8, 14-4 GNAC) came up just short against the Seawolves (13-14, 7-11 GNAC), with Anchorage hitting a number of big shots to stay in control. It concluded an excellent regular season for the 'Jackets, who finished with their first 20 win campaign since the 2005-2006 season.

 

Carrington Wiggins scored 19 points in his final home game at MSUB, shooting 7-10 from the field and 2-4 on threes. Wiggins added six rebounds and three steals in the game. Fellow senior Bilal Shabazz finished with 17 points, 11 rebounds, five assists and a block. It was Shabazz's tenth double-double of the season. Steven Richardson added twelve points, going 3-6 from beyond the arc. Richardson also had three steals and three rebounds. Jalen Tot added nine points on a trio of threes. The 'Jackets shot 35.1% as a unit.

 

The first half was razor thin, with each team battling hard. The Seawolves and Yellowjackets shot nearly identical from the field in the half, with UAA staying ahead by just a few points for the majority of the quarter. The Yellowjacket offense had nine turnovers, but took advantage of offensive rebounds, with 12 second chance points. After finding themselves down 9 with 4:34 remaining in the half, MSUB went on a mini run, closing the gap to 31-29 going into halftime.

 

The Yellowjackets continued to push in the second half, which saw the teams combine for 33 free throws, after shooting a combined three in the opening 20 minutes. They were points away the entire night, keeping the Seawolves on their heels. But Anchorage shot 55.6% in the second half, keeping the 'Jackets at bay with a number of clutch shots and free throws down the stretch.

 

Dathan Satchell scored 17 for the Seawolves, adding six rebounds. AJ Garrity and Jaedon Bradley each had 11 points, and Jaron Williams added ten points. Nine Anchorage players finished with a basket in the game.

 

THE BUZZ: Wiggins was selected as the St. Vincent Healthcare Player of the Game… After tonight's game, Wiggins sits at 987 career points as a Yellowjacket… Only 23 players in MSUB history have scored over 1,000 career points… MSUB's 14 GNAC wins this season were the most in school history… The 'Jackets will own the second seed at the GNAC Championships, the highest in program history.

Original source can be found here.