by Hayden Foltz
BILLINGS, Mont.- The Montana State University Billings Yellowjacket men’s basketball team (1-0) opened their 2024-25 season with a 79-61 win over the University of Mary Marauders (0-1). After a long day of five games, including a win from the MSUB women’s basketball team, the ‘Jackets capped off the night game of the D2 CCA Tip Off Classic at the Trailhead with an 18-point victory.
The day one nightcap of the Tip Off Classic was all MSUB, leading for 98.2 percent and led by as much as 23 points with a minute to go in the ballgame. Offensively the ‘Jackets outshot the Marauders 43.5-41.7 from the field, 40.0-31.6 from three, and 81.3-50.0 from the line. The defensive side of the ball was where they really produced, forcing 16 turnovers while collecting nine steals, out blocking Mary 6-2, and posted 39 total rebounds.
Leading the way offensively was Famous Lefthand who posted 18 points while shooting 50 percent from the field and beyond the arch, followed by Jalen Tot with 12 points, six assists, and three steals. Also in the double digits was Pedro Ellery with 12 and Kael Robinson with 11 points, six rebounds, three assists, and one block. Defensively David Jones was unmatched at the rim, posting three blocks with four rebounds while Cooper Dewitt had a team high eight rebounds and a team high four steals.
HEAR FROM COACH FENNELLY: “It was nice to get our first win of the season under our belt. We had multiple guys step up and really give us a boost, Pedro knocked down a couple three’s and Dewitt played with great energy at the head of our press that set the tempo of the game. I loved our defensive effort as a team, but we still have a lot of work to do, not only to get better but to prepare for a very good Rogers State team. We are fortunate to be at home and to host the Tip Off Classic and we look forward to our matchup tomorrow.”
The Yellowjackets were first to take a lead and didn’t lose it for the entirety of game. Jones had the honor of scoring the first bucket of the 2024-25 season, followed by a layup from Lefthand to take an early 4-0 advantage. MSUB slowly extended their lead, but Tot set the tone at the 5:35 mark, hitting a contested three, drawing the foul, and nailing the free throw to give them a 13-point advantage. From there the game was back and forth until Robinson layed it in with .2 left on the clock, sending MSUB into the locker room with a 36-21 lead at the half.
The second half of the night started no different, with punches traded back and forth but with a pair of threes from Brendon Johnson the ‘Jackets were able to extend their lead to 16. The Marauders didn’t quit, catching fire and going on a 13-2 run to bring the game within five points. Ellery put the stop to the Mary run, scoring six straight points himself, followed by back-to-back triples from Lefthand which helped the Yellowjackets extend their lead back to 19. From there it was more back-and-forth basketball until Cooper Tyson checked in, scoring his first points of his career via free throw and putback layup to give them their largest lead of the night at 23. From there the ‘Jackets went on to outscore the Marauders 43-40 in the second half, claiming victory with a final score of 79-61.
