BILLINGS, Mont. — The Western Oregon men's basketball team trimmed an 18-point halftime deficit to three in the final minutes, but No. 23 Montana State Billings held on late to secure an 83-75 win Thursday afternoon at Alterowitz Gymnasium.

Western Oregon (5-7, 0-3 GNAC) shot 51.7 percent in the second half and made eight 3-pointers after the break, closing to 71-68 with 2:36 remaining before the Yellowjackets answered at the free-throw line to put the game away.

Jadin Penigar paced the Wolves with 22 points on 8-of-15 shooting, adding seven rebounds, while Braydon Olson provided a spark off the bench with 16 points in 22 minutes. Carson Frincke knocked down four 3-pointers and finished with 14 points, and AB Gilchrist chipped in 11.

Montana State Billings (13-2, 2-0 GNAC) built its cushion early, shooting 41 percent from beyond the arc in the first half and taking a 44-26 lead into the break. Mason Landdeck led all scorers with 27 points, while Brandon Tchouya added 22 points and seven rebounds for the Yellowjackets.

Western Oregon finished the game shooting 48.1 percent overall and 83.3 percent from the free-throw line, but was unable to fully erase the first-half gap.

The Wolves continue GNAC play Saturday as the road trip rolls on at Seattle Pacific.