Yellowjackets Survive Last Second Thriller (1/7/06)
Box Score          Game Photos

BILLINGS, MT – The Montana State-Billings men’s basketball team found just enough points and dodged a last second shot to defeat Oklahoma Panhandle State 90-89 on Saturday afternoon.  The win was the second-straight over the Aggies and improved the Yellowjackets to 8-2 overall.  OPSU fell to 1-13 on the season.

“Oklahoma Panhandle played very hard for a 1-13 team,” said Yellowjacket head coach Craig Carse.  “They deserve to win some games.  Sometimes it’s better to be lucky than good.  It was a win and we’ll take it.”

Carlin Hughes (So., Perth, Australia) gave the Yellowjackets their 90-89 lead by hitting the front end of a 1-and-1 free throw with 3.3 seconds remaining in the game.  Lady Luck was smiling on Hughes as his attempt missed long, bounced straight up in the air, and fell through for the eventual winning point.  After a timeout, Hughes tried to intentionally miss his second attempt, but failed to make contact with the rim giving the Aggies one last gasp.

“The play was designed to hit the rim,” said Carse afterward.  “Carlin thought he was trying to get the ball to bounce back to him.  Making the second free throw wouldn’t have mattered because a 3-pointer would still beat us.”

Panhandle State’s final shot turned out to be a 3-point attempt.  Oscar Castillo took the inbound pass and quickly pushed it the length of the floor, finding Eddie Moss on the right wing.  Moss had a good look at the basket from about 24 feet, but missed just to the left as time expired.

Less than 24 hours after their game Friday night, the Yellowjackets and Aggies battled in a seesaw game all afternoon.  There were 15 lead changes and 10 ties in the game.  The Aggies built a double-digit lead late in the first half, leading by as many as 11 at the 5:00 mark.  The Yellowjackets cut the deficit to one by halftime and would lead by as many as seven late in the second half.  The Aggies’ last lead came with 9:04 to play in the game, but they were able to tie the game with 28 seconds remaining on a Nick Malinowski 3-pointer.

Five Yellowjackets scored in double figures in the game, led by Cameron Munoz’s 28.  Munoz (Sr., Chino, CA) was 8-of-15 from 3-point range and 4-of-4 from the free throw line.  Center Moritz Wohlers scored 20 points on 7-of-10 shooting from the field and 6-of-7 from the line. 

Hughes finished with 11 points and 10 assists for his third-straight double-double and his fifth of the season.  Buddy Windy Boy (Sr., Lodge Grass, MT) and Cody Samuelson (Jr., Broadus, MT) each added a dozen points.  Jonathan Wiley (Jr., Westlake Village, CA) handed out six assists, and Drew Arnold (So., Tempe, AZ) had five points.

The Aggies were led by Malinowski’s 22 points.  He was 4-of-8 from 3-point range and also grabbed 11 boards.  Aaron Harrison also posted a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds.  Moss finished the night with 20 points off the bench, including three 3-pointers.  OPSU out-scored the Yellowjackets 33-19 in bench points.

The Yellowjackets won’t play another game at Alterowitz Gym for 21 days as they hit the road for five straight.  They play three games in San Antonio starting January 11 at Incarnate Word.  They will also travel to Jefferson City, MO, and Emporia, KS, during the road stretch.  The Jackets’ next home game will be January 28 when they host St. Edward’s (TX).