(Editor’s note: Rocky Mountain College media release)
BILLINGS – The Rocky Mountain College men’s basketball team opened its first game of the season in rip-roaring fashion with a 94-40 win over Yellowstone Christian College on Tuesday.
Rocky started its season ranked No. 14, according to the preseason 2018 NAIA Division 1 Men’s Basketball Coaches’s Top 25 Poll released Tuesday.
The Battlin’ Bears opened the game with 14 straight points before the Centurions could manage to even score.
For the rest of the night, Rocky kept a comfortable lead as Yellowstone Christian was unable to gain any traction due to offensive errors and a stiff Battlin’ Bears defense.
Rocky only got better as the night progressed. Its shooting improved in the second half, giving them a 48 percent field goal percentage on the night.
Jared Samuelson, the 2018-2019 Preseason Men’s Basketball Player of Year in the Frontier Conference, led the Battlin’ Bears in scoring and rebounding on the night. He put in a solid 20 points and pulled in eight rebounds.
Brandon The Boy had a special night for his first official game as a Battlin’ Bear. He put in 13 points, shooting three of six from beyond the arc, while leading the team in steals with an impressive seven.
Rocky’s strength in depth shined as it scored 44 points off the bench.
The Battlin’ Bears will stay in Billings as they prepare to take on Salish Kootenai Friday. That game will take place at 3 p.m. in Fortin Education Center.
Meanwhile, the Rocky Mountain College women’s basketball team opened its 2018-2019 season with a 87-48 victory over Yellowstone Christian College.
Rocky started its season ranked No. 24, according to the preseason 2018 NAIA Division 1 Women’s Basketball Coaches’ Top 25 Poll released Tuesday.
A solid night for the Battlin’ Bears was highlighted by returning senior Justyn Juhl, who led the Battlin’ Bears in rebounds and scoring. Shooting four of seven from beyond the arc, she knocked in 21 points while pulling in six rebounds.
Kloie Thatcher scored 12 points and pulled in four rebounds while teammate Alecia Chamberlin scored 15.
Alyssa Big Man scored 10 points in her first outing as a Battlin’ Bear.
Rocky shot a 47.5 field goal percentage on the night.
The Battlin’ Bears will next play Salish Kootenai on Friday. That game will take place at 1 p.m. in Fortin Education Center.
