Chambers’ Triples Brings Yellowjackets Back in Thrilling Closing Minutes, 74-72

Box Score

Photo Gallery

BILLINGS, Mont. – Triple perfection times three from Montana State Billings junior guard, DeAndre Chambers, helped propelled the Yellowjackets to a thrilling 74-72 victory over visiting Northwest Nazarene Thursday evening at Alterowitz Gymnasium.  Chambers and senior guard, DaVell Jackson, led all-scorers with 20 points each.

A Drew Eisinger triple gave the Crusaders (13-9, 5-6 GNAC) a 70-65 lead with 1:51 remaining in the game.  Chambers buried the first of his final three 3-pointers moments later for a 70-68 score.  NNU’s Brian Barkdoll got an inside layup on the next possession to build the lead back to four, but Chambers hit a deep triple for a 72-71 score with 1:07 left.

On the ensuing Crusader possession, the Yellowjackets (12-8, 6-5 GNAC) played sound defense and Barkdoll went up for the layup, but MSUB senior forward Derrick Wright got a finger on the ball for his second rejection of the night that couldn’t have come at a better time.  Wright gathered the rebound and passed up the court to Chambers who nailed his game-high fifth triple of the game and third-straight trifecta with 14 seconds left. 

After a timeout, Anthony Golden, who knocked down a couple of 3’s of his own, was heavily guarded by Yellowjacket defenders and threw up a desperation three that went off the front of the rim as time expired.

Chambers and Jackson were a combined 12 of 27 from the field and 6 of 10 from beyond the arc in the win.  They also were 10 of 13 from the free throw line and a combined 11 rebounds.  Jackson added a game-high seven assists and seven steals.  Wright chipped in 17 points and Mike McCrary added 11 points.  For the first time this season, the Yellowjackets had no player score a point off the bench.

NNU was led by 15 points from Barkdoll as he was 7 of 11 from the field.  Golden scored 14 points and Eisinger chipped in 12 points.

As a team, the Yellowjackets shot 49 percent for the game on 25 of 51 from the floor.  They were 9 of 15 from deep (60 percent) and 15 of 18 from the line.  Conversely, NNU was 28 of 58 from the field, 7 of 18 from beyond the arc and 9 of 11 from the line.

The Yellowjackets now have won four straight in the series and have swept the season series in back-to-back seasons.

MSUB took an early 11-9 lead on a triple from Chambers with 15:30 remaining in the first half.  MSUB then added to the lead as it built the largest lead of the half at 19-13 on a triple from McCrary.  Since an early 9-8 deficit, the Yellowjackets hit the long ball and used a 11-4 run to build the lead.

The Crusaders followed with a run of their own as they used a 12-2 run over the next three minutes to erase the deficit and went up 25-21 on a triple from CJ Shula with 9:51 remaining. 

Back-to-back layups from Wright tied the game at 25 as the teams basically traded buckets until a Jackson triple with 3:41 left put the Yellowjackets up 36-34.  Louie Beech tied the game for the seventh time in the half with two charity tosses moments later. 

Jackson then hit a big triple after the eighth tie for a 43-40 lead with 91 seconds left in the half.  Golden was golden during the final three minutes as he scored six points, including 4 of 4 from the free throw line down the stretch, keeping the Crusaders close and a 43-42 halftime deficit.

The Yellowjackets shot 51.6 percent in the half on 16 of 31 from the field.  They were 5 of 8 from beyond the arc and 6 of 7 from the line.  Wright was big inside for the Yellowjackets as he was 5 of 7 from the field for 12 points.  Jackson tallied 10 first half points with six assists.  Conversely, the Crusaders shot 53.3 percent from the field on 16 of 30.  They were 2 of 7 from deep and 8 of 8 from the line.

Brian Barkdoll led the way for NNU with 10 points as all nine players who saw action in the first half scored.

The second half saw the Crusaders jump out to a three point advantage on a triple from Eisinger for a 54-51 score with 14:47 left.  Chambers again had the answer with a triple for the 13th tie of the game to that point.

For the game there were a total of 24 ties and 14 lead changes.

The Yellowjackets continue their home stand Saturday versus Seattle Pacific on Hall of Fame Weekend.  MSUB will battle the Falcons at 7:30 p.m., following the women’s game versus Northwest Nazarene beginning at 5:15.

At halftime of the men’s game, the Yellowjackets will introduce the inductees, who were inducted into the MSUB Hall of Fame and Distinction, the previous night as the 21st class.  Including in the class is: Dominic Washington (men’s basketball, 1984-87), Margot Merrill-Johnson (soccer and tennis, 2001-2005), Natalie Visger (women’s basketball, 2000-2003) and Henry “Charlie” Williams (football, baseball, basketball and track, 1964-1967).  The induction ceremony is open to the public and the cost is $30 per person.  The event begins with a cocktail party at 5:30 p.m., Friday, and follows with a dinner at 6:30 and the ceremony following.

In addition the Yellowjacket men’s basketball team will honor its 1,000th career victory Saturday evening at halftime of the game versus SPU.  MSUB won its 1,000th game Jan. 7, 2010, at Alaska Fairbanks in the conference opener 82-68.  MSUB is 1005-894 all-time.

A number of former players and coaches are scheduled to be in attendance include: Jim Soft (’68), Pete Conway (’76), Mike Harkins, Jr., Russ Powers (’65), Pete Berta (’70), Gene Espeland (’59), “Shorty” Alterowitz (head coach 1948-1957), Charlie Hereim (’63), Dominic Washington (’87), Ralph Winland (’71), Wayne Marus (’39), Mark Hamilton (’98), Trent Hickes (’98), Oscar Wirtala (’56), Ted Langemo (’43) Brian Cook (’02) and more.