Montana State Billings opened its season with a 66-58 loss to No. 24 UT Tyler, undone by a slow first half and the Patriots’ long-range shooting. The Yellowjackets erased much of a 19-point halftime deficit and pulled within four in the fourth quarter, but UT Tyler closed with a late run to secure the win.

By the Numbers
  • Final score: UT Tyler 66, MSUB 58.
  • Halftime score: UT Tyler 42, MSUB 23.
  • Rebounds: MSUB 36, UT Tyler 24.
  • 3-point shooting: UT Tyler 8-of-18 (44.4%); MSUB 3-of-16 (18.8%).
  • Cassie Chesnut led MSUB with 18 points and 10 rebounds.
Yes, But

MSUB controlled the boards and showed resilience after halftime, but its early shooting struggles and UT Tyler’s accuracy from 3-point range proved decisive. The Patriots also answered the comeback by scoring 10 of the game’s final 16 points.

What’s Next

The Yellowjackets face Minnesota State Moorhead on Oct. 31 at 10 a.m. Mountain time in their second game of the CWU DII Tipoff Classic.

Bottom Line

MSUB showed it can fight back, but its next step is starting with greater composure and matching that late-game intensity from the opening tip.