Big Runs Doom Yellowjackets, 87-68

Box Score

ANCHORAGE, Alaska – Big first and second half runs propelled Alaska Anchorage to an 87-68 victory over visiting Montana State Billings Thursday evening.  With the loss, MSUB falls to 9-12 on the year and 4-6 in conference play, while Alaska Anchorage improves to 12-11 and 6-4 in conference play.

The Yellowjackets were led by 15 points from Derrick Wright, while Michael Hall added 12 points and Mario Burns had 11 points and five assists.  Kenny Barker led five Seawolves in double figures with 20 points on 6 of 8 from the field and 6 of 7 from the charity stripe. 

MSUB had a tough shooting night as it was 20 of 56 for 35.5 percent and was just 6 of 20 from downtown for 30 percent.  The Jackets were 22 of 31 from the charity stripe, including a 13 of 16 performance in the second half.

UAA shot 58 percent from the field for the game (32 of 55), including a blazing 70 percent in the second half on 17 of 24.  The Seawolves knocked down 11 triples and were 12 of 16 from the line.

The Yellowjackets opened the scoring with a layup from Derrick Wright just 30 seconds into the contest, but UAA proceeded to go on a 24-7 run over the first nine minutes to build a 24-9 lead with 11:03 left in the half.  During the run, MSUB was held scoreless for over five minutes during to stretches as the Seawolves took command early.

A 3-pointer by Brett Taylor with 7:49 left in the half cut the UAA lead to 29-19.  It was just the ‘Jackets’ sixth field goal (6 of 16) and third 3-pointer (3 of 6) while UAA began the half 11 of 20 and 6 of 10 from long range.

MSUB continued to fight and claw its way back into the contest.  A 3-pointer by Michael Hall and a layup by Mario Burns got the Yellowjackets to within five at 29-24 with 5:41 left.  Since a free throw by Burns at the 10:08 mark, MSUB has rattled off a 14-3 run to get back in the game at 30-29 UAA with 3:12 left.

A big 3-pointer from Darren Nye with 2:47 left swelled the Seawolves’ lead to 33-29 as it was the first field goal for UAA since the 8:50 mark.  Moments later, UAA pushed the lead back to seven with a jumper by Lonnie Ridgeway and a triple from Kevin White, 38-31.

Nye hit another bucket in the final minute giving UAA a 40-33 lead at intermission.

MSUB finished the half shooting 37.4 percent from the field on 10 of 27.  UAA, who had shot over 50 percent for much of the half, dipped below on 15 of 31 from the field for 48 percent.  The Jackets were 4 of 11 from downtown and 9 of 15 from the charity stripe.  The Seawolves knocked down eight triples (8 of 17) and were 2 of 3 from the free throw line.

Hall led the Yellowjackets with nine points, while Brandon Walker paced the Seawolves with 14 points.

UAA opened the second half with an 18-8 run for a 58-41 lead with 14:12 to play.  The Seawolves started the half 7 for 10 from the field and two 3-pointers for a 10 for 19 performance to that point from deep.  Alaska Anchorage increased the lead to 64-41 with 11:48 to play as MSUB was stuck on 41 since the 15:38 mark (55-41).  Wright scored on a layup to end the drought at 64-43 moments later.