Men's Basketball
The Patriots make a late run and a fearless attempt at a comeback in the final minutes of a key Heartland Conference game with Montana State-Billings on Monday night. The Yellowjackets were able to keep DBU from completing the comeback and secure the 77-74 victory with a little bit of luck and key defensive stops.
With the victory, Montana State-Billings kept the Patriots from clinching the final spot in the Heartland Conference tournament. The Yellowjackets with another victory will clinch the final spot for the conference tournament but with a loss it will be conceded to DBU. The loss dropped DBU to 9-15 overall and 5-7 in conference play, while MSU-Billings improved to 6-19 and 4-7.
The Patriots, who trailed by 9 points at half time, looked like they were going to be ran out of the gym, mainly because of poor shooting and 13 turnovers. However, this team does not believe in giving up and made their charge in the second half riding the hot shooting of Junior Nick Michels, who scored 25 points off of eight of 10 shooting. With Michels scoring at ease the Patriots outscored MSU-Billings by six in the second half but fell a little short in the final minute of the game.
DBU on the night shot 47.3% from the field, 50% from beyond the arch, and 72.2% from the free-throw line, while holding the Yellowjackets to 33.8% shooting from the field and 25% from the three-point line. Once again turnovers made a difference in the game, with DBU committing 22 to only 12 committed by Montana State-Billings.
Michels, who led the Patriots all night, finished with 35 points, including hitting six of nine three-pointers, he also had seven rebounds, and three assist. Sophomore Brandon Wash helped out on the boards grabbing a game high 14 rebounds, while Junior Dwight Coleman had nine points and nine rebounds.
The Patriots will look to revenge their loss tomorrow night when they take on Montana State-Billings, at 7:00.
