MSUB Men's Basketball Recap 10/28/15

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Evan O’Kelly Director of Communications O: (406) 657-2130 E: evan.okelly@msubillings.edu Wednesday, October 28, 2015 ‘Jackets drop exhibition contest at Rocky 80-65 Wednesday

MSUB falls to Rocky Mountain College Wednesday evening 80-65 in an exhibition contest at the Fortin Center.

BILLINGS, Mont. – Rob Nyby scored 18 points in the first half en route to 28 on the game to lead host Rocky Mountain College past Montana State University Billings 80-65 in an exhibition men’s basketball contest Wednesday evening at the Fortin Center.

Nyby added 10 of RMC’s 50 rebounds for a double-double, and the Yellowjackets got beat on the glass with just 32 rebounds of their own as a team.

Emmanuel Johnson and Preston Beverly led the way in scoring for MSUB with 13 points apiece, and Zack Lessinger was also in double figures with 10. The win pushed RMC to 3-0 on the season, while MSUB remained at 0-0 as the game was played as an exhibition on its schedule.

“We had some young guys get their first opportunity to play college basketball tonight,” commented MSUB head coach Jamie Stevens. “I was somewhat disappointed with our returners, as they did not play as well as they could have. Overall we are looking forward to getting back in the gym and getting better.”

Thirteen first-half turnovers hindered the Yellowjackets, who generated just three steals in the opening 20 minutes. By comparison, RMC created seven steals and had just eight turnovers in the first half to build its 20-point advantage. The ‘Jackets improved their ball control in the second half, with just three turnovers the rest of the way and finished with 16.

Lessinger broke a two-and-a-half minute scoring drought to open the game, fighting for a bucket under the hoop for MSUB’s first points at 17:30. Turnovers continued to cost the ‘Jackets early on, with RMC capitalizing in transition with a 3-pointer by Chad Kananen.

Johnson finished a loud dunk after a steal, and Cade Alcorn took a charge on the ensuing play down the court as the ‘Jackets dug into the deficit midway through the first. Alcorn finished a left-handed jump hook with 10 minutes to go that brought MSUB within six points, 16-10.

The Bears began to distance themselves as time wound down, as two free-throws by Kananen and a strong take to the bucket by Nyby made the score 29-17 with six minutes left. Two more threes by Nyby in the next 90 seconds extended the Bears’ lead to 14 points.

By halftime, RMC had a firm advantage in hand up 49-27 thanks in large part to shooting 50 percent from the floor (18for-36) compared to MSUB’s 34.4 percent (11-for-32).

A pair of threes by Beverly were sandwiched by a trey from Lessinger, as the ‘Jackets scored nine quick points and cut the deficit down to 13 points with 12:30 remaining in the game.

The Bears matched the ‘Jackets over the next eight minutes however, keeping their lead around 15 points inside of five minutes to play.

Christian Evans nailed a 3-pointer with 2:03 left to cut the score to 76-64, and the ‘Jackets called timeout in preparation for a final comeback effort. The Bears finished strong however, as the 12-point distance was as close as MSUB got the rest of the way.

On the game RMC shot 44.8 percent from the field (30-for-67), 31.3 percent from 3-point range (5-for-16), and 75 percent from the foul line (15-for-20). The ‘Jackets shot 34.9 percent from the floor (22-for-63), 32 percent from long distance (8-for-25), and just 56.5 percent from the free-throw line (13-for-23).

Johnson was picked as the St. Vincent Healthcare Player of the Game, as he also contributed a game-high three blocks for MSUB. NEXT UP: The MSUB men will kick off their regular season schedule at the Cal State East Bay tournament in two weeks.

The Yellowjackets will take on Chico State on Nov. 13 and host CSU East Bay on Nov. 14 in a pair of games against west region opponents.

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