BILLINGS, Mont. – The Rocky Mountain College men's basketball team opened the new season with a 123-68 win over Yellowstone Christian College on Wednesday night in the Fortin Center.
 
Rocky (1-0) shot 62.2 percent from the field as they scored their most points in a game since December of 2013. The Battlin' Bears had 60 points in the paint while connecting on 11 of 24 from beyond the arc. They assisted on 29 of the 46 made field goals.
 
Six Rocky players scored in double figures. Austin Payne led the way with 28 points on 12 of 16 shooting in 18 minutes off the bench. He had a stretch in the second half where he accounted for 12 straight Rocky points during a 19-0 run.
 
Joe'l Towers scored 13 points with six assists in his collegiate debut. Danny Betcher and Grant Wallace had 12 points apiece. Satchel McDonald had a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds – all in the first half – and Craig Wilmore scored 11.
 
The Battlin' Bears held Yellowstone Christian (0-2) to 36.5 percent shooting and they forced 19 turnovers for 37 points. Rocky had a 57-14 edge in rebounds and they scored 26 points from 23 offensive rebounds.
 
Colin May led Rocky with seven assists and he tied Payne and Latrelle Franklin with a team-high two steals.
 
Ben Bighorn led the Centurions with 20 points. Fabricio Daher Valdivia had 18.
 
Rocky will be back in action on Saturday when they welcome Salish Kootenai College to the Fortin Center. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.