BURNABY, BC – Simon Fraser University scoring leader Max Barkeley returned to action after a seven-game absence but missed the game-winning three-pointer with two seconds left, and the Clan lost 76-72 to Montana State University Billings Saturday in the West Gym.

The Clan was down by two with 15 seconds remaining when Hidde Vos stole the ball off a Yellow Jackets inbound and set up Barkeley for a shot. Barkeley was inches away from ending the game but his three point shot bounced off the rim.

MSUB's Sven Jeuschede iced the game with less than two seconds remaining, hitting a pair of free throws to help MSUB end a seven-game losing skid. They won for the first time since Jan. 2. The 'Jackets moved to 7-13 overall on the season and are now 4-8 in GNAC play.

The Clan fell to 1-17 with the loss and is still in search of its first GNAC win at 0-12 in conference games this season. JJ Pankratz was SFU's top scorer with 17 points, and rebounder with nine, and Barkeley added 13 in his first game since Dec. 31.

SFU forward Gibran Sewani was very efficient from the field, scoring 6 of his 9 attempts for 14 points. Oshea Gairey and Michael Harper both recorded 9 points and 3 assists.

MSUB freshman Preston Beverly led all players with 22 points and 12 rebounds, as he recorded his second straight double-double. Marc Matthews contributed 20 points for MSUB.

The lead changed hands 17 different times but SFU was unable to take advantage of a struggling Yellow Jackets team that missing two of its four top scorers. The Yellowjackets were without senior Emmanuel Johnson and junior Emmanuel Olufemi due to an issue crossing the border.

With a minute left to play a layup by Beverly gave the 'Jackets a 73-72 advantage. The Clan missed two free throws, a layup, and a 3-pointer, failing to score in the final minute despite several opportunities. Free throws by Matthews and Jeuschede sealed the win, and the 'Jackets completed the season sweep of SFU after a 94-83 win over the Clan at home on New Year's Eve.

SFU shot 47% from field goal range but just 20% (3-of-15) from beyond the arc. MSUB was 44% from the field and 43% on their 3 pointers.

Gairey and Sewani combined for the play of the game with 8:47 left in the second half. Gairey took a pass, deked the defender out with a spin-o-rama and dished it to Sewani who put back the easy lay-up to tie the game at 62.

SFU will look to turn their season around next Thursday when they take on Alaska at home. The game will take place at 7PM in the West Gym.

Follow the SFU Clan men's basketball team on the club's official Twitter account at Twitter.com/SFU_MBB.

--@SFUClan--