FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Evan O’Kelly Director of Communications O: (406) 657-2130 E: evan.okelly@msubillings.edu Saturday, November 19, 2016 Beverly’s double-double not enough in 54-50 loss to Cal State East Bay Saturday
Preston Beverly records his first double-double of the season with 25 points and a career-best 14 rebounds, but MSUB’s offense stalls in a 54-50 loss to Cal State East Bay at home Saturday. BILLINGS, Mont. – Preston Beverly posted his first double-double of the season with a 25-point, 14-rebound effort at Alterowitz Gym on Saturday night, but the Montana State University Billings men’s basketball team stalled offensively in a 54-50 loss to Cal State East Bay. Beverly had nearly completed his eighth career double-double by halftime, as he had a dozen points and nine rebounds to lead the ‘Jackets to a 21-17 edge at the break. The Pioneers (3-1) out-scored MSUB 37-29 the rest of the way however, handing the ‘Jackets a loss in their regular-season home opener. “I am really proud of our guys with their effort on the defensive end,” said MSUB head coach Jamie Stevens, whose team held its opponent to the lowest score since a 75-54 win over Northwest Nazarene at home last February. “We had a really sound game plan defensively and the guys just played their tails off all night. Unfortunately, the story so far this year is we just aren’t shooting the ball well enough to win close games.”
The shooting woes continued for MSUB (1-3), as the ‘Jackets made just 18 of 54 shots from the field (33.3 percent) and 5 of 21 3-pointers (23.8 percent). With its lead peaking at nine points with 14:33 left to play, MSUB missed its next six shots from the field and scored only one point on a free throw over the next nine minutes of play. Meanwhile, the Pioneers leveraged the Yellowjackets’ drought into a 4438 advantage with 6:23 to play, and never conceded the lead down the stretch. MSUB’s best chance to get back into the game came on a three by Sven Jeuschede, which evened the score at 46-46 with 3:04 to go. Juwan Anderson made a pair of free throws and Drew Bender converted a layup to push the lead back to four points however, and the Pioneers closed out the win. No Yellowjacket other than Beverly had more than six points or five rebounds, as the sophomore accounted for exactly half of his team’s points and nearly half of its 33 rebounds. Beverly hit back-to-back threes to jolt the ‘Jackets to life, helping the team retake the lead at 16-14 with 5:21 to play in the first half. Jace Freshman guard Cinco Durr had four assists and a Anderson ended the period with three foul shots, giving MSUB a fourblock for the ‘Jackets on Saturday. point lead at the break. “Besides Preston, we didn’t have anyone play well offensively, and we just need to get more production from our guards,” said Stevens. “We are looking forward to getting back to work Monday and finding ways to help our guys score at a better rate.” Freshman guard Cinco Durr led all players with four assists, and elevated for the only block of the game to prevent a fast-break layup by Bender midway through the second. Though the ‘Jackets appeared to have momentum early on in the second half, the shooting struggles wound up costing them down the stretch. MSUB is now shooting just 37.7 percent from the field and 23.6 percent from 3-point range this season. Micah Dunhour led CSUEB with 15 points and completed a double-double with 11 rebounds. Jalen Richard contributed a dozen points and eight boards, and Bender finished with nine points. The Pioneers weren’t much better than the ‘Jackets in the shooting department, making just 21 of 56 shots (37.5 percent) overall. They also connected on just 3 of 18 3-pointers (16.7 percent), and made 9 of 14 foul shots (64.3 percent). ON THE AIR: Saturday’s game marked the first of six men’s basketball contests that will be broadcast on ESPN Radio 910 KBLG locally in Billings and on the web at www.espn910.com. Check out the full slate of games on MSUB’s ‘Jackets on the Radio webpage here. THE BUZZ: Beverly was named the St. Vincent Healthcare Player of the Game…he topped his previous career-high of 13 rebounds by one and came within one point of his career-high in scoring…the last time MSUB was limited to 50 points or
fewer was last season in a 64-50 loss at Cal State East Bay on Nov. 14, 2015‌MSUB is now 0-3 all-time against the Pioneers. NEXT UP: The ‘Jackets hit the road next week, with three more non-conference games on the schedule. MSUB plays at Chadron State College on Nov. 22 at 6 p.m., then takes to Colorado for games against Colorado Mesa on Nov. 25 at 7 p.m. and Western State Colorado on Nov. 26 at 3 p.m.
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