Hughes Receives Heartland Honor (1/31/06)

BILLINGS, MT – Montana State-Billings sophomore guard Carlin Hughes has been named the Heartland Conference player of the week by the league office.  It’s the first time Hughes has been selected this season.  Yellowjacket players have received six player of the week awards through the first 11 weeks of the season.

Hughes scored a career-high 45 points on Saturday to lead MSU Billings to a 136-101 win over St. Edward’s in a battle of the Heartland Conference’s first place teams.  The win gave the Jackets sole possession of first place in the conference, one game ahead of St. Edward’s. 

Hughes became just the tenth player in school history to score at least 45 points in a single game, and the 136 points scored by the team tied for the fourth-most in school history.  In the game Hughes was 14-of-22 from the field, 3-of-8 from 3-point, and 14-of-18 from the line.  He also had three steals and handed out 10 assists for his eighth double-double of the season.  For the season Hughes ranks first in the Heartland Conference for assists, fourth for scoring, fifteenth for rebounding, sixth for free throw percentage, second for steals, fifth for 3-pointers made, and third for assist/turnover ratio.

The Yellowjackets host Lincoln University at Alterowitz Gym on Friday and Saturday, 8:00 p.m. both nights.  Friday’s game will count in the conference standings, and Saturday’s will be a non-conference regional game.