Montana State pulls past MSU-Billings in exhibition game, Mick Durham honored

(Editor’s Be aware: Montana State Press Launch)

BOZEMAN — On a day that pitted two former Montana State basketball icons in opposition to one another, the Montana State Bobcats outlasted the visiting Montana State College Billings Yellowjackets in a 56-49 exhibition sport on Sunday.

In the long run, Danny Sprinkle’s Montana State Bobcats pulled away from MSU Corridor of Famer Mick Durham’s MSU Billings Yellowjackets because of Nice Osobor’s game-high 13 factors, essential transition baskets from RaeQuan Battle (11 factors) and Darius Brown II’s (7 factors, 5 steals) effort on each ends of the ground.

“I feel MSU Billings is an efficient staff,” Montana State head coach Danny Sprinkle stated. “They’ve 4 or 5 guys who can play at our degree. If that staff sticks collectively, they will do a number of good issues this yr. For our aspect, we’ll get higher. I used to be glad MSUB performed some zone on us as a result of we’re going to see a number of that within the convention and within the non-conference. There might be some good instructing moments on the sport movie.”

In Sunday’s defensive-heavy battle, the Bobcats compelled 20 turnovers and out-rebounded the Yellowjackets 40-39. Though the Yellowjackets began out scorching, threes from RaeQuan Battle, Sam Lecholat and a nifty up-and-under layup from Nice Osobor made it a one-point sport with 13:25 to play.

Each groups pushed the tempo halfway by way of the primary half and — in a standard theme all through the sport — Darius Brown II bought the group going along with his first of 5 steals, which led to an alley-oop to Osobor. This sparked a 14-2 run that included a Tyler Patterson three, and 6 factors off MSUB turnovers. At halftime, the Bobcats led 26-21.

Within the second half, Lecholat and Jubrile Belo opened the scoring for the Bobcats by making right-handed layups by way of contact. The Yellowjackets saved tempo till with 15:47 to go, the Bobcats deflected an inbounds move that led to Battle skying in for a dunk.

A goaltending name on one other Osobor dunk with 13:12 to play within the second half sparked a 6-0 Bobcats run. This run successfully put the sport out of attain for the ‘Jackets. 4 late factors from Osobor, free throws from Gazelas and Brown II and two MSUB turnovers after the ultimate media timeout helped the Bobcats draw back with the win.

“I assumed Nice Osobor performed nicely,” Sprinkle stated. “He sparked us along with his vitality. I additionally assume Robert Ford III and Caleb Fuller did some nice issues.”

Carrington Wiggins led the Yellowjackets with 12 factors and senior ahead Bilal Shabazz led the ‘Jackets with 11 rebounds to go together with his 4 factors.

On Sunday, the Bobcats honored Durham with a pre-game ceremony involving a video tribute from his kids and former gamers, plus he was offered with a sport ball by Sprinkle and MSU Director of Athletics Leon Costello.

Upon Durham’s retirement in 2006, he was the Massive Sky’s winningest coach with 246 wins, which ranks second all-time at Montana State. The Three Forks, Mont. native was a three-time Massive Sky Coach of the Yr award winner, plus he coached Sprinkle throughout MSU’s 1995-96 Massive Sky Championship staff that made the NCAA Event for the third time in program historical past.

“Honoring Mick Durham was the most effective half about immediately,” Sprinkle stated. “He’s this program to me. For 29 years, he was the Montana State males’s basketball program. I understand how a lot this place means to him, so I’m comfortable to have him again.”

Montana State’s season formally begins on Nov. 7 with a highway sport at Grand Canyon College. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. Single-game and season tickets for all residence video games may be discovered at msubobcats.com/tickets.