by BILLINGS, Mont. – Jalen Tot and Brendon Johnson led Montana State University Billings (9-2, 1-0 GNAC) to a 93-83 Rimrock Rivalry victory over the Rocky Mountain Battlin’ Bears at the Fortin Education Center. The Yellowjackets rode an 11-point lead at half backed behind an impressive offensive efficiency, shooting over 50 percent from the field and 40 percent from beyond the arch as a team.
Tot, the preseason GNAC Player of the Year, was on fire throughout the game. He finished with a team-high 24 points, shooting 7-of-22 from the field, including 4-of-11 from three-point range. His scoring was relentless, especially in the first half, where he recorded 14 points and helped MSUB establish an early lead. Tot also contributed a team best eight rebounds, a team best four assists, and one steal.
Brendon Johnson was equally impressive, finishing with 20 points on a 7-for-9 shooting performance. Johnson was especially efficient in the first half, where he went a perfect 6-for-6 from the field, contributing 15 points. His scoring was key in helping the Yellowjackets build a strong 53-42 lead at halftime. Johnson also tallied seven rebounds, two assists, and one steal.
Famous Lefthand provided a consistent scoring threat, adding 19 points, including four crucial free throws in the second half. The Yellowjackets’ free-throw shooting was nearly flawless, hitting 90.9% of their attempts (20-22), with the team maintaining their composure late in the game to seal the win.
Kael Robinson and Cooper Dewitt each contributed 9 and 11 points, respectively. Robinson also added solid defensive contributions, while Dewitt showed his versatility by hitting a couple of key shots from beyond the arc. Hanniel Ouattara also chipped in with 6 points off the bench, playing an important role in the second half to help maintain MSUB’s lead. MSU Billings’ defense kept the Bears at bay, holding them to just 25% from three-point range in the second half.
FIRST HALF
The Yellowjackets took an early lead, with Tot hitting a three-pointer to open the game. Robinson added several key layups, and MSUB extended their lead to 13-6. Rocky Mountain’s Jaylon Lee kept the home team in the game, scoring multiple layups and free throws. However, MSUB went on a run, with back-to-back three-pointers from Lefthand and a dunk from Cooper Dewitt, pushing the lead to 29-14. The Yellowjackets continued to control the pace, with Johnson scoring several key baskets. By halftime, MSUB led 53-42, holding a comfortable advantage as the teams headed to the break.
SECOND HALF
MSUB maintained their lead in the second half, starting with a quick push to extend their advantage to 58-42 after key plays from Fares Kacem and Lefthand. Rocky Mountain mounted a comeback, cutting the lead to 61-56, but MSUB responded with timely shots from Tot and Johnson, including a big three-pointer from Johnson at 12:39.
As the Battlin’ Bears struggled with missed shots and turnovers, MSUB capitalized, with Dewitt’s layups and free throws pushing their lead to 74-60. MSUB stayed in control, and even though Rocky made a pair of late three-pointers and free throws, MSUB sealed the win with strong free-throw shooting late in the game, collecting the 93-83 victory.
