BILLINGS, Mont. – In the midst of a packed Fortin Education Center on Monday night, MSU Billings defeated 14th-ranked Rocky Mountain College 79-73.

The loss marks the first of the season for the Battlin' Bears.

A strong start for the Yellowjackets put the Battlin' Bears down early. Rocky trailed the entire game, but kept pace. Drawing within one point with a minute and a half to go, Rocky stalled. A  six point run by the Yellowjackets would finish the game in MSU Billings favor.

Jared Samuelson scored 19 points while leading the team with 10 rebounds.

Danny Betcher added 18 points, four rebounds, and four assists. Craig Wilmore had 13 points, five rebounds, and four steals.

Rocky shot 39.2% from the floor while going 6 of 24 from the three.

Melvin Newbern Jr. scored 19 points with eight rebounds for the Yellowjackets.

Rocky will travel to play Dickinson State in Dickinson, N.D., on Saturday at 7:30 p.m.