Yellowjackets Close PacWest Play with Loss at Hawaii Pacific (March 1, 2003)

HONOLULU, HI – A strong start and a 14-point first-half lead weren’t enough for the MSU Billings Yellowjackets as they succumbed to Hawaii Pacific 81-70 in their PacWest finale Saturday night.  The Yellowjackets finish the season with an 8-7 PacWest record and drop to 16-9 overall with two games remaining. 

The Jackets made the trip with the “iron eight” that they have been playing with for much of the season after losing three players to injury.  By Saturday night, they had become the “iron six” due to injuries to Bill Day (MCL) and Joe Cook (shoulder) in the BYU-Hawaii series. 

Because of the shallow bench, the Yellowjackets opened the game in a zone defense that gave the Sea Warriors trouble early.  They stunned HPU and the home crowd packed into the cramped MidPac Gymnasium by building a 14-point lead early in the first half.  Dan Thompson had the hot hand to start the game, scoring 10 of the Yellowjackets first 16 points.  He finished with a game-high 23, including three three-pointers.

Thompson’s outside shooting opened up the inside for center Kyle Stirmlinger, who controlled the paint in the first half.  Stirmlinger had another double-double with 20 points and 12 rebounds and played the full 40 minutes for the first time this season.  The Sea Warriors battled back late in the half to cut the Jackets’ lead to 40-36 at the break.

The Yellowjackets’ lack of depth caught up with them in the second half as Hawaii Pacific was able to push the tempo and get easy baskets in transition.  The Sea Warriors shot 55 percent from the field in the second half and finished with five players in double figures.  Leandro Maruoka scored 20 points and grabbed 18 rebounds to lead the way.

The Jackets were unable to keep pace in the second half, shooting just 36 percent from the field and scoring 30 points.  Freshman Cameron Munoz strengthened his hold on the PacWest three-point lead with five in the game.  He finished with 15 points.  Buddy Windy Boy added nine points.

MSUB will close out the 2002-2003 season on March 7 and 8 when the Yellowjackets host Nova Southeastern.  Both games will tip off at 7:00 p.m.  The game on Saturday, March 8 will be senior night for Thompson, Stirmlinger and Willy Davison.