December 23, 2007
 
Mavericks Battle Past Jackets, 98-85

 Box score
 MSUB Season Stats

BILLINGS, Mont. – Michael Jenkins’ 28 points paced the University of Nebraska-Omaha in defeating the Montana State Billings men’s basketball team 98-85 Sunday afternoon at Alterowitz Gymnasium. The Yellowjackets are 0-10 overall, while the Mavericks improved to 11-1.

A layup by the Mavs’ Tyler Albers lifted UNO to an 11-point lead with under eight minutes to play in the half, but a spirited Yellowjacket squad whittled into the Mavericks’ lead using a pair of free throws by Kyle Palmer (Baton Rouge, La.) and a three-pointer by Brett Taylor (Billings).  The Jackets took a temporary two-point lead on a jumper by Kirk Blaine (Gillette, Wyo.) with 25 seconds left on the clock, but a basket by Albers at the buzzer carried the teams to the locker room knotted at 41 apiece.

The Mavericks built a steady lead over the Jackets in the second half leading by as many as 20 after a Mitch Albers’ layup sparked a 6-0 run midway through the half. Back-to-back three-pointers by Taylor and John Brooks (Perris, Calif.) ate at the Mavs’ lead with just 16 ticks on the clock, but MSUB was unable to overcome the double-digit deficit before UNO iced the win.
Five Yellowjackets scored in double-figures and were led by Brooks’ 20 points. Brooks tied his career-high knocking down five 3-pointers. Aaron Terry (Moreno Valley, Calif.) netted 18 points on 8-of-12 shooting from the floor. Ruff pulled down a team-leading seven boards and chipped in 13 points. Taylor added 11 points and handed out a career-high five assists.

As a team the Jackets shot 29-of-60 from the field for 48 percent and were a consistent 12-of-25 from long range for 48 percent. The team connected on 15-of-23 from the free throw line for 65 percent.

“The team continues to battle,” said Yellowjacket head coach Craig Carse. “I think UNO could contend for their NCAA Regional Championship as Bennett and Jenkins are true D-I talents. Aaron Terry is going to be very special player for us, as well as several of our other players.”

Jenkins’ was 10-of-13 from the floor and 3-of-4 from the perimeter in netting a game-high 28 points for UNO, while his teammate Mitch Albers chipped in 18 points off 5-of-11 shooting. Albers was a perfect 6-of-6 from the charity stripe. Big man Jerry Bennett added 15 points and grabbed a game-high nine rebounds.

The Yellowjackets will have a short break before hosting Montana Western on Monday, December 31. Game time is slated for 7:00 p.m. at Alterowitz Gym. The game will feature live video streaming, free live stats, and a free internet radio broadcast.