83-79 over Salisbury for school’s first state title

The Billings Wildcats (29-3) are class 2 state champsafter knocking off Salisbury (30-2) 83-79 Saturday afternoon at Mizzou Arena.  It is the first state boys basketball title for the small Christian County school. We are very proud of the team members and coaching staff.

Chad Yeokum scored 25 points to lead four players in double figures as Billings defeated Salisbury 83-79 in the Missouri Class 2 boys’ state title.

In a fast-paced game, Billings (29-3) scored the first 11 points of the game and converted five 3-pointers in the first quarter to build a 41-23 lead at halftime.

Salisbury (30-2) scored six points in 26.6 seconds and pulled within 79-76 on an Austin Francis layup with 30 seconds remaining, but couldn’t complete the comeback after trailing throughout the game.

The teams combined for 41 turnovers, including 27 steals, and both took advantage as Salisbury scored 32 points off turnovers and Billings, 20.

Francis scored 35 points and grabbed 12 rebounds for Salisbury.

Dawson Meyer added 21 points and Yeokum finished with 10 rebounds for Billings, which won its first state championship in school history.

Read more & view video at http://www.kspr.com/sports/kspr-billings-basketball-wildcats-win-missouri-class-2-state-championship-8379-over-salisbury-20120317,0,2467963.story