ELLENSBURG, Wash. – Central Washington men's basketball fell 69-70 to Montana State-Billings Saturday night in Nicholson Pavilion.

QUOTING HEAD COACH BRANDON RINTA
"Proud of how our guys battled all night long with the top team in the league. We had our chances to beat them but came up short. Unfortunately, the win streak came to an end tonight, but I know the confidence our guys have in themselves will continue."
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Montana State-Billings came out shooting and took an early 15-10 advantage. Samaad Hector helped the 'Cats regain the lead nailing a three to make it 23-19 with 10:41 left in the first half. Camron McNeil converted from deep putting the 'Cats up eight. Brock Gilbert ended the half in style with a circus layup giving CWU the 39-32 lead at the break.

Central Washington made nine threes in the half, but 22 points in the paint kept the Yellowjackets in striking distance.

Bilal Shabazz caught fire to start the second half, scoring eight points in the first four minutes including two threes. Bilal's second three of the half, made it 40-43 with 14:58 remaining. Poor shooting hurt the Crimson and Black. In the second half, they shot 41% from the floor and only made two threes.

Despite poor shooting, the 'Cats were in it down the stretch and with 2:30 remaining MSUB only had a 67-66 advantage. Gilbert hit a jumper in the lane, but Abdul Bah responded at the other end. Matt Poquette went to the line converting one of two, making it 69-70. The Wildcats had the last possession and Poquette's jumper from 20 feet bounced off the rim at the buzzer.

Camron McNeil led four double-digit scorers with 21 points making five threes, Hector had 16 and seven rebounds, Gilbert added 14 to go with eight assists, and Matt Poquette chipped in 11.

CWU shot 44.8% from the field, made 11 three-pointers, and went 6-9 from the charity stripe.

For the Yellowjackets, Carrington Wiggins scored 21 points, Bilal Shabazz put up 18, and Abdul Bah added 15.

Montana State-Billings shot 57.1% from the floor, made eight threes, and went 6-10 from the free-throw line.   
 
UP NEXT
The Wildcats travel to the last frontier next week to face the Alaska teams. The 'Cats square off with Alaska Fairbanks Thursday, February 2^nd at 8 p.m. and Alaska Anchorage on Saturday, February 4^th at 8:30 p.m.