LACEY, Wash. — Westmont Men’s Basketball got off to a slow offensive start on Friday night, but the Warriors made up for it in the second half to post a 79-74 win over Montana State Billings (2-3) in a neutral site GNAC/PacWest Crossover matchup.

After shooting just 27.8% from the floor in the first half, Westmont posted a blistering 62.1% from the floor in the second. 

Westmont (2-0), which trailed 35-28 at the intermission, scored in its first five possessions of the second half. Trey Thompson dropped in a triple before Michael Olaly, Braedon Bigott and Davon Smith all followed with layups. Bigott then sank two free throws, pulling Westmont within two (41-39) with 17:40 to play.

An and-one play by Jonas La Tour restored a five-point lead to the Yellowjackets, but JV Brown got all three points back on a bucket from beyond the arc, making it a 44-42 game. However, Connor Oertel hit back-to-back 3-point baskets to stretch Montana State Billings’ lead to eight points (50-42). 

After a media timeout, the Warriors went to work, chiseling away at the deficit. Brown scored on a layup and Huston made a free throw to make the score 50-46. Then, Pasha Shemirani connected from long distance and the Warriors were suddenly within one (50-49) with 13:15 remaining.

A free throw by the Yellowjackets’ Cory Lovell made the score 51-49 before Bigott evened the game at 51 on a fast break layup. Then Huston scored on another Warrior layup and Collins connected from downtown, completing a Westmont 14-1 run and putting the Warriors up 56-51.

Though Montana State Billings would pull within two in the final minute of play, Westmont never relinquished the lead.

Bigott led all scorers with 18 points, while adding four rebounds and three assists. 

“In the first half, Braedon helped us keep it just close enough to be within striking distance,” noted Leslie. “In the second half, he was big in getting pressure on the rim and getting layups. He finished with a really strong line for us tonight.”

Smith went six of seven from the field on his way to 16 points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals.

“It was Davon’s first time starting,” pointed out Leslie, “and I was really proud of how he went out and responded in the way he did. If he keeps shooting the ball like he is and getting to the rim, our opponents are going to have to put a circle tab on him as a shooter designation.”

Logan Huston contributed 10 points, four rebounds and four assists while also drawing seven fouls.