Southeast Montana News

‘Jackets Stellar Season Ends with Loss Against San Bernardino

The Montana State University Billings men's basketball team concluded their season on Friday in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, falling 63-57 against Cal State University San Bernardino in the first round of the West Regional.

 

It was an unfortunate ending to an incredible season for the Yellowjackets (20-10, 14-4 GNAC), who achieved their best finish in Great Northwest Athletic Conference history this regular season, and won over 20 games for the first time since 2005-2006. They ended it by giving a serious challenge to the west region's second-seed in San Bernardino, taking the Yotes (28-3, 20-2 CCAA) to the brink before falling just short.

 

"We're obviously disappointed," said Yellowjacket head coach Mick Durham. "But I really think we did a lot of good things. I don't think they looked like the number two team the way we defended them, especially in the last 30 minutes. I'm proud of our guys, we just got beat by a really good team."

 

Seniors Bilal Shabazz and Carrington Wiggins led the way for MSUB. Shabazz went out on a double-double, collecting 21 points and 12 rebounds. Wiggins scored 11, while grabbing eight boards. Behind them, the Yellowjackets supported nicely. Emmanuel Ajanaku had nine points and two rebounds. Abdul Bah had eight points. Jajuan Tot scored five with a pair of assists, and Jimmy Brown finished with three points, two rebounds, and three assists. The Yellowjackets held an electric Yotes offense averaging 89.1 points a game to just 63 in the game and kept San Bernardino's shooting percentage which usually sits at 49.6% stuck at 37.3%.

 

"I think we did a great job getting back on defense," said Durham. "We did a really good job on their two guards, but we just did our thing defensively. That's how we've won all year: we've kept it close and tried to get it at the end but they just got away from us in the last five minutes."

 

The first half saw the game open tight, before San Bernardino took a bit of control early. After hitting a three pointer with 17:49 on the clock, the high powered Yotes offense caught fire, going up 30-15 after the next ten minutes of play. It would be their only stretch of dominant offense however, as the 'Jackets began to work their way back into the game. MSUB would score 16 of the next 19 points in the game, quickly reversing the tides to be down 33-31 at the halftime break.

 

The teams would keep it up in the second half, with MSUB's stingy defense refusing to let one of the top offenses in division 2 get into rhythm. While unable to take the lead, the 'Jackets stayed just a few points back, constantly forcing the Yotes to look over their shoulders. After pulling as close as 51-49 with just five minutes to play, San Bernardino would go on an 8-0 over the next minute and a half. It would prove to be enough of a lead, as the 'Jackets would fall just short of the win, ending their season.

 

Darius Mickens scored 14 points to lead San Bernardino, grabbing ten rebounds as well. Kaihae Yee-Stephens added 12 points and four rebounds. Eddie Davis had 11 points and six rebounds, and Dontrell Shuler scored ten.

 

Despite the outcome not being what they wanted, Durham still had plenty of praise for his team.

 

"These guys accepted my coaching," said the veteran coach. "We got on a great streak in the GNAC this year. We just found ways to win all season. This was a special team to me, this will be one my favorites."

Original source can be found here.