by By Hayden Foltz
MONMOUTH, Ore. – A career-high performance from Famous Lefthand led the Montana State Billings Yellowjackets (11-4, 2-0 GNAC) to an impressive 86-58 victory over the Western Oregon Wolves (3-10, 0-3 GNAC), securing their second consecutive conference win and maintaining their perfect record in GNAC play.
Lefthand was outstanding throughout, finishing with a career-best 26 points while shooting an efficient 55 percent from the field and 50 percent from beyond the arc. He also grabbed five rebounds, dished out four assists, and recorded one block. Brendon Johnson also put on a shooting clinic, scoring 21 points with an incredible 8-of-9 shooting performance, including a perfect 1-of-1 from three and 4-of-4 from the free-throw line. Johnson added seven rebounds, four assists, and two steals to his stat line.
The Yellowjackets dominated nearly every aspect of the game, leading 42-24 at halftime and outscoring the Wolves 44-34 in the second half. MSUB shot 56.7 percent from the field as a team, just under 40 percent from three-point range, and an impressive 84.4 percent from the free-throw line. The ‘Jackets controlled the glass, outrebounding Western Oregon 39-33, including a dominant 31-18 advantage on the defensive boards. MSUB also led in points in the paint (44-20) and assists (22-8), and stifled the Wolves’ offense, holding them to just 33 percent shooting while forcing 11 turnovers and collecting six steals.
Jalen Tot and Kael Robinson both contributed double-digit performances, scoring 15 points each. Robinson grabbed a team-high eight rebounds and recorded three assists and two blocks, while Tot added six rebounds, a team-high six assists, and one steal. Cooper Dewitt and Fares Kacem also played significant roles, with Dewitt posting four points, six rebounds, four assists, and two steals, while Kacem added five points, one rebound, and one assist.
FIRST HALF
The Yellowjackets exploded out to an early 14-7 lead backed behind a pair of three-pointers from Lefthand and a pair of buckets from Jalen Tot and Robinson. By the 11:15 mark in the opening frame, MSUB held their seven-point lead backed by an impressive 46.7 percent team shooting percentage and already amassing 11 rebounds. In just three and a half minutes of play Lefthand moved into double digits, connecting on a pair of jumpers to extend the ‘Jackets lead to 25-10. The Wolves then started to fight back, going on a 9-4 run to bring them back within 10 points. Lefthand and the Yellowjackets had a quick response, going on a 13-5 run to head into the half with a 42-24 lead.
SECOND HALF
Heading into the second half of action, MSUB had leaned on their efficient shooting and rebounding all night. Outshooting the Wolves 52.9-30 percent and outrebounding them 24-15 in just the first 20 minutes of play. It was Western Oregon striking first on their first attempt after the break and went on to score eight straight unanswered points. From there it was back-and-forth basketball until the Yellowjackets went on another dominant 13-6 run to regain a 19-point lead with 12 minutes left to play. MSUB didn’t slow down, holding a 20-point lead for the next six minutes of play with Lefthand reaching a career high in a Yellowjacket uniform by adding his 26th point of the game. From there the ‘Jackets went on to comfortably take the 86-58 victory.
