MSU Billings Pulls away from Western New Mexico, 109-91 (January 30, 2003)

BILLINGS, MT – At a handful of junctures, Thursday night’s game between MSU Billings and Western New Mexico was primed to turn into a blowout.  But the Mustangs found a way to battle back for all but the final five minutes of the game as the Yellowjackets pulled away for a 109-91 Pacific Conference victory.

The game was a route early as MSU Billings (9-6, 3-4) used the fast break to race to an 18-6 lead over a lackluster Western New Mexico (3-14, 1-6).  The Mustangs were flat on their feet for the first seven or eight minutes of the game, giving up a dunk or a three-pointer on almost every possession.  The Yellowjackets forged their largest lead of the first half at 21-8 on a 3-pointer by Dan Thompson with 12:09 remaining.

The Mustangs quietly chipped away at the lead with a 16-6 run over the next four and a half minutes.  Brendon Malone’s basket with 7:26 remaining cut the lead to three at 27-24.  After it looked like the Yellowjackets had landed the knockout punch early, the teams traded baskets over the final seven minutes as MSUB took a 46-42 lead into the half.

The second half ran with the same ebbs and flows as the first.  The Yellowjackets burst to a 14-point lead just four minutes into the half when Cameron Munoz’s 3-pointer made the score 60-46.  The Mustangs battled to within five on David Walker’s three at the 13:15 mark. 

It appeared that MSU Billings finally pulled away for good when Justin Hassell’s offensive rebound and three point play gave the Jackets a 17 point lead with 9:15 remaining.  But Western New Mexico whittled the lead back to single digits, getting to within nine at 91-82 with 4:53 left.  That’s when the Mustangs’ tanks ran dry as the Yellowjackets outscored them 18-9 over the final four and a half minutes.

Both teams were playing with eight players: MSU Billings because of injury and Western New Mexico because a number of players quit the team this week.  New head coach Vernon Brazeal was making his coaching debut for the Mustangs after replacing fired coach Joe Mondragon on Saturday.

Kyle Stirmlinger’s career-high 28 points led five double-figure scorers for the Yellowjackets.  Stirmlinger finished with a double-double, adding 10 rebounds.  He also blocked three shots.  Thompson had 26 points on the night, including five 3-pointers.  In a match-up of the PacWest’s best two 3-point shooting teams, the Yellowjackets sank nine and the Mustangs eight in the game.  Senior point guard Willy Davison added eight points and nine assists. 

Western New Mexico was paced by Walker’s 21 points and nine assists.  Joey Ramirez made four 3-pointers en route to 17 points. 

The same two teams play again Saturday night.  Tip off is set for 7:00 p.m.