FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Evan O’Kelly Director of Communications O: (406) 657-2130 E: evan.okelly@msubillings.edu Saturday, November 12, 2016 Matthews’ career-high 30 points lift ‘Jackets to first win of the season
Marc Matthews scores a career-high 30 points and MSUB’s men’s basketball team finishes strong in an 88-80 victory over Holy Names University on Saturday. RIVERSIDE, Calif. – A career-high 30 points by senior guard Marc Matthews elevated the Montana State University Billings men’s basketball team to its first win of the season on Saturday, as the Yellowjackets defeated Holy Names University 88-80 at Van Dyne Gym. Matthews made 5 of 9 shots from beyond the arc, and 9 of 16 overall in the game. He was a perfect 7-for-7 from the foul line, leading a lineup that made 27 of 30 foul shots in the game overall. The fifth-year senior’s career game was complemented by a 20-point, six-rebound effort from sophomore Preston Beverly, and a 12-point, 10-rebound double-double by sophomore Christian Evans. Though the ‘Jackets led by as much as nine points in the second half, they had to withstand a late push by the Hawks that tied the score at 76-76 with 3:08 remaining. MSUB never conceded the lead however, making 2 of 3 shots from the field and 7 of 8 free throws the rest of the way to seal the win. “We had a lull there where we just couldn’t score, and it
felt like there were several times where we were close to pulling away,” Stevens commented on the closely-contested game. “They kept fighting and getting back into the game, but our guys responded well down the stretch.” The Hawks (0-2) were led by Jason Webster’s 18 points and Marcelas Perry’s 16 points, and out-shot MSUB 44.8 percent to 40.0 percent in the game. The ‘Jackets (1-1) won the battle of the boards 46-36 however, including 18 on the offensive end for 11 second-chance points. Early on, Ryan Chappell picked up his first rebound and points of the game, flushing down a missed layup by Cinco Durr on a 3-on-2 fast-break. It was the first of five-straight points for the freshman, as he knocked down a three from the corner his next time down the floor. A pair of free throws by Beverly brought the score to 16-14, but the Hawks took off on an 8-0 run and quickly built a 10-point lead midway through the first half. Five straight points from Beverly helped chip into the deficit, and the ‘Jackets worked their way to a 32-31 lead after two foul shots by Kendall Denham. After riding Beverly’s buckets back into the game, the ‘Jackets turned to Matthews who heated up in the final three minutes of the first. The senior drained a three, and then was fouled on a shot from the arc on the next possession to set up three straight free throws. Sophomore Christian Evans notched his second-career doubledouble with 12 points and 10 rebounds in Saturday’s win over Holy Names.
An overall 21-6 run by the ‘Jackets was ended on a corner three from HNU’s Jake Higgins, but Matthews answered with another trey to keep the ‘Jackets ahead. MSUB took a 48-42 edge into the locker room.
Seven more points from Matthews in the opening five minutes of the second helped MSUB keep its lead, which reached its apex at 64-55 after a layup by the senior. “We challenged Marc before the game to come out and play well, and he did that,” said MSUB head coach Jamie Stevens. “He made some really good decisions on the offensive end, and it was good to start seeing the ball go through the net.” Another dunk by Chappell with 5:38 remaining extended MSUB’s lead back to eight points, and pushed the Hawks to burn a timeout trailing 74-66. With the Hawks within three at 81-78, Beverly spotted up a trey from the top of the arc that gave the ‘Jackets some breathing room with 43.6 left on the clock. Perry converted a final layup for HNU, but free throws from Matthews and Denham finished off the win for the ‘Jackets. After making just 2 of 12 3-pointers in Friday’s loss to No. 9 Cal Baptist, MSUB upped its accuracy from the arc and connected on 9 of 27 shots (33.3 percent). The Hawks made just 3 of 13 shots from long range (23.1 percent), and just 17 of 25 from the foul line (68.0 percent).
Chappell finished with nine points for the ‘Jackets, while Durr led all players with four assists. Sven Jeuschede was effective off of the bench in 15 minutes, scoring five points and adding five rebounds. The ‘Jackets committed 22 turnovers compared with 20 by the Hawks, and each team received 26 points off of its bench. Jewels Sanders (12 points) and Reece Wible (11 points) were also in double figures for Holy Names. THE BUZZ: Matthews was picked as the St. Vincent Healthcare Player of the Game…his previous career-high of 27 points was set last season against Simon Fraser on New Year’s Eve…he was one shy of his career high in field goals made (10) and in 3-pointers made (6)…it was MSUB’s first 30-point game since Jace Anderson scored 30 in a road game at Mary last year on Nov. 23…the double-double was the second of Evans’ career...Evans’ 10 rebounds tied his career best…Saturday’s game was the first-ever meeting between the two teams, and was hosted by Cal Baptist University. AHEAD: The ‘Jackets return to Billings to face crosstown rival Rocky Mountain College on Tuesday at the Fortin Center. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m., and the game will be broadcast live locally on SWX Sports. --@MSUBSports | #JacketNation--