January 17, 2008
 
Cold Shooting Dooms Yellowjackets in 81-52 Setback at Saint Martin's

Box Score
Season Stats

LACEY, Wash. – In its first Great Northwest Athletic Conference road game, the Montana State Billings men’s basketball team dropped an 81-52 decision at Saint Martin’s on Thursday night. With the loss, the Yellowjackets fall to 0-15 on the year and 0-4 in conference play, while Saint Martin’s improves to 8-6 on the year and 3-2 in the GNAC.

The Yellojackets were led by 16 points from freshman John Brooks (Perris, Calif.) who sat out the past two games due to a suspension. Despite being shaky from the field in his first game back (3 of 13) he made up for it from the line going 8 of 11. Fellow freshman Aaron Terry (Moreno Valley, Calif.) chipped in 12 points and was 6 of 12 from the field.

MSUB had the early advantage in the game, leading 10-7 four minutes in, but the Saints rallied, building an eight-point advantage over the next five minutes, courtesy of a 15-7 run for a 22-14 score with 11 minutes left in the half.

A strong Yellowjacket comeback cut the deficit to two points as MSUB went on an 8-2 run over the next three minutes capped by 3-pointers from freshman Brent Taylor (Billings, Mont.) and sophomore Troy Ruff (Custer, Mont.), cutting the deficit to 24-22 with 7:56 to play in the half.

The Saints responded with the game-changing run to close the half. SMU used a 25-8 run over the final 7:43 to take a 49-30 lead into the locker room. During that stretch, MSUB made just three field goals and two free throws.

For the half, Terry had eight points on 4 of 7 from the field to lead the Yellowjackets. As a team, MSUB was 10 of 26 from the field for 39 percent. However, the team was just 3 of 14 from beyond the arc and was 7 of 9 from the line.

Saint Martin’s had two players in double figures in the first half led by Brendan Campbell who was 5 of 6 from the field for 11 points. As a team, the Saints were 19 of 36 from the field for 53 percent and were 7 of 13 from beyond the arc.

The Saints came out in the second half on fire as MSUB went ice cold. SMU built the lead to as many as 34 points during the first 10 minutes of the half as it went on a 23-8 run.

During a span of just over 16 minutes, the Saints outscored MSUB 48-16.

The Yellowjackets were just 8 of 30 from the field in the second half and were 18 of 56 for the game for 32.1 percent and were 7 of 29 from beyond the arc.

SMU’s Bill Richardson had a game-high 21 points as he was 10 of 17 from the field and pulled down eight rebounds. Campbell chipped in 17 points. The Saints were 32 of 73 for the game for 43 percent and were 8 of 24 from beyond the arc.

The Jackets continue their road trip at Western Oregon on Saturday at 8 p.m. Mountain time. MSUB will be back at Alterowitz Gym, Thurs., Jan. 24 at 7 p.m., against Alaska Fairbanks. Live video streaming, free live stats, and free internet broadcast can be accessed online.