Big Second Half By Seattle Pacific Dooms Yellowjackets, 98-65

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BILLINGS, Mont. – Seattle Pacific blew open a 10-point halftime lead with a 21-5 start in the second half en route to a 98-65 victory over host Montana State Billings Wednesday evening at Alterowitz Gymnasium.  With the loss, MSUB falls to 9-15 overall and 4-9 in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference, while SPU improves to 18-7 and 11-3 in conference play. 

MSUB was led by 15 points and nine rebounds from Travis Bunker, while Derrick Wright and Mario Burns had 13 and 11 points, respectively.  Burns also had a game-high six assists.  SPU had five players in double figures led by a double-double from Rafael Moreira with 15 points and 14 rebounds.  The Falcons had 43 points from their bench led by 18 points from Jeff Downs and 15 points from Colby Vranes.

The Yellowjackets, who were searching for their first victory since Jan. 28, began the game 1 for 8 from the field and were down 10-3 six minutes into the contest.  A layup by Bunker ended an 8-0 run by SPU at the 14:14 mark.  SPU began the game 4 of 10.

A 3-pointer by Vranes pushed the Falcon lead to 16-8 with under 12 minutes left in the first half.  Vranes followed moments later with his second triple for a 19-9 lead.  Vranes then drove to the bucket for his eight point of the half and swelled the SPU lead to 25-13.  Vranes averaged two points a game entering tonight’s contest. 

The cold shooting continued for the Yellowjackets as they were just 3 of 18 from the field through the first 12 minutes, but a layup by Wright was just the second made field goal since the 14:05 mark.  Free throws kept the Yellowjackets close in the early going as they were 9 of 14.

A hoop-and-harm foul on a layup by Mario Burns brought the Yellowjackets to within 10 at 32-22 with five minutes left in the half.  Moments later, Michael Hall nailed the Jackets’ first triple of the game for a 35-25 deficit.

After starting the half 3 of 18 from the field, the Yellowjackets closed the half 6 of 13 for a 9 of 31 performance for 29 percent.  The Jackets were 1 of 8 from range and 15 of 23 from the line, which kept them within striking distance.  Bunker led the way with 10 points for MSUB.

SPU shot 48 percent in the half on 17 of 35 from the floor.  The Falcons were 5 of 10 from deep and 5 of 5 from the line.  Jeff Downs led the team with nine points off the bench.  MSUB held a 23-21 lead in rebounds and a 9-4 lead on the offensive end. 

SPU opened the second half with a 14-2 spurt and a 58-36 lead with 16:38 to play.  Hall ended the drought with a triple with 16:20 left for a 58-39 score.  Vranes knocked down another triple, his third of the game, for a 62-39 score with 14 minutes left, followed by a triple by Brandon Larrieu for a 65-39 score as SPU swelled to a 21-5 start in the final stanza.

A nice, no-look pass from Wright to Burns ended a 7-0 run by SPU and it was the Yellowjackets’ first field goal since the 16:22 mark.  Moments later, Wright scored as the shot clock was winding down, cutting the deficit to 22. 

SPU began the half shooting a staggering 8 of 12 from the field for 67 percent, while the Yellowjackets were 4 of 10, but committed eight second half turnovers in the first nine minutes.

The Falcons went on for the 98-65 victory and outscored the Yellowjackets 54-31 in the second half.

The Yellowjackets shot 21 of 60 from the field for 35 percent and were 5 of 20 from deep.  MSUB made its points in the first half at the charity stripe, but were just 3 of 7 in the second half for 18 of 30 for the game.

SPU shot 55 percent for the game on 38 of 68 from the floor.  The Falcons were 10 of 19 from 3-point range and 12 of 15 from the line.  SPU dominated the points in the paint, 44-28 and owned a 34-16 lead in points off turnovers as well.

The Yellowjackets play their final regular season home game Saturday at 7 p.m. versus Western Washington.  It will be Senior Night and Family Night as Bunker and Hall will be playing their final home game of their MSUB careers.   In addition, families of MSUB men’s basketball players will be admitted free.