BILLINGS, Mont.  Simon Fraser built a 12-point lead at the half but it wasn't enough as the Clan lost to Montana State University Billings Yelllowjackets 78-73 on Thursday night in Great Northwest Athletic Conference men's basketball action
 
Simon Fraser led 40-28 at the half thanks to the offensive tandem of Kedar Salam and Tyrell Lewin. Salam scored 12 points in the first half while Lewin was a perfect 5-for-5 with 11 points at the break. Lewin finished with 17 points and seven rebounds.
 
However, the MSUB defense would be the story of the second half as the Yellowjackets held SFU to two points in the first seven minutes of the final period resulting in a 15-2 run. MSUB outscored the Clan 50-33 in the second half, shooting 57.1 percent from three and making 16 of 20 free throws.
 
Salam, who was named the United States Basketball Writers Association's (USBWA) Division II Men's National Player of the Week, finished with 22 points on 10-of-20 shooting and grabbed five rebounds and four assists. It was his fourth straight 20-plus point performance. He has scored 40, 27, 26 and 22 points in the last four games.
 
A three-point play by Salam with 1:43 left in the game pulled the Clan to within 70-69 but Zharon Richmond hit the biggest shot of the game when he sunk a 3-pointer with 1:26 remaining to put the 'Jackets up by four. MSUB hits its free throws down the stretch to seal the victory.
 
"It was a disappointing start to the second half for us tonight after a gritty first half," said Clan head coach Steve Hanson. "MSUB is an excellent 3-point shooting team and I thought we defended the 3-point line very well in the first half.  We knew they would come out with energy to start the second half but we couldn't score in the first 6 minutes of the half."
 
"Down the stretch, we were terrible on the defensive glass, both in the half court and on free throws.  These things are inexcusable at our level and regardless of our size, rebounding is a fundamental part of the game. We are learning this the hard way, but this group is capable of better so that is our focus before we travel to Alaska next week."
 
Simon Fraser is now 8-8 overall, 2-6 in the conference. MSUB is 11-7 overall, 3-4 in GNAC play.
 
SFU plays at Alaska Anchorage (Jan. 18) and at Alaska (Jan. 20).
 
The Clan's next home game is the Whiteout on Jan. 25 in the West Gym against Seattle Pacific. Fans are encouraged to wear white and hundreds of t-shirts will be given away. The game will also feature the Redzone 19+ section with #Yellowdog.
 
--@SFUClan--