Samuelson’s Put Back Saves Jackets in Road Win (Dec. 8, 2004) 
Box Score

NAMPA, ID – Cody Samuelson put back his own miss with three seconds remaining to lift the Montana State-Billings men’s basketball team to a 66-64 win at Northwest Nazarene on Wednesday.  The Yellowjackets remained unbeaten on the season, improving to 5-0.  The Crusaders lost for the first time at home to fall to 2-5.

Following a Jonathan Wiley (So., Westlake Village, CA) steal with 23 seconds remaining, the Yellowjackets worked the ball around to Samuelson (So., Broadus, MT) on the baseline.  His baseline jumper fell short, but he came up with the rebound and the put back to give MSU Billings a two-point lead.  The Crusaders missed a 3-point attempt as time expired.

The Yellowjackets jumped out to a quick start, taking a 24-13 lead at the 10:38 mark of the first half.  A swarming defense led to quick points off turnovers for MSU Billings as eight Yellowjacket steals led to 14 Crusader turnovers in the first half.

MSU Billings let a 12-point halftime lead evaporate as the Crusaders put the defensive clamps on the Yellowjackets’ perimeter shooters.  MSU Billings shot 51 percent from the field and 40 from 3-point range in the first half.  Cameron Munoz (Jr., Chino, CA) scored 16 first half points to lead the Yellowjackets to a 44-32 halftime lead. 

Munoz knocked down all four of the Jackets’ first half 3-pointers, but did not score after halftime.  Buddy Windy Boy (Jr., Lodge Grass, MT) picked up the slack from behind the arc with both of his 3-pointers coming in the second half.  Windy Boy fouled out of the game with more than six minutes remaining.  The Yellowjackets shot just 30 percent from the field and 18 percent from 3-point range in the second half.

MSU Billings went cold offensively in the second half, and NNU climbed back into the game.  The Crusaders cut the Jackets’ lead to just four by the midpoint of the half and eventually tied the game with just under six minutes to play.  Joseph Wade’s basket gave the Crusaders a 61-59 lead with 4:44 remaining.  It was NNU’s second lead of the game and first since the score was 5-4.

MSU Billings tied the game on the following possession with a Justin Hassell (Sr., Brooklyn, NY) jumper.  Hassell scored a game-high 22 points on 10-of-17 shooting from the field, although he was just 2-of-8 from the free throw line.

The teams traded a free throw apiece over the final minute and a half before Raymond Butler’s jumper for the Crusaders tied the game at 64.  A Hassell turnover with 30 seconds to play gave Northwest Nazarene a chance to win the game, but Wiley’s steal led to Samuelson’s game-winner.

Hassell and Munoz were the only Yellowjackets in double figures as the team finished with a season low for points.  MSU Billings entered the game averaging over 100 points a game.  Windy Boy and Lucas Walker (Fr., Launceston, Australia) finished with eight points apiece.  Three Jackets scored four points, including Samuelson and Wiley.

“The guys played hard and found a way to win,” said Yellowjacket head coach Craig Carse of his team’s first road game of the year.  “We played great team defense.  Offensively Cameron got a little flat and Justin missed some free throws, but it was a win.”

NNU was led by 15 points apiece from Mesut Ademoglu and Butler.  Wade finished with 11 points.  Daniel Nyom led all players with 11 rebounds to go with seven points.

The Yellowjackets next play on December 17 when they host the Crusaders at Alterowitz Gym.  Tip off is set for 8:00 p.m., following the Lady Jackets’ game against Humboldt State.