Official Archive Site of the MSU Billings Yellowjackets
""""""""""Archives
""
Archives Links
Audio Clips
Headlines
Photo Galleries
""
ARCHIVE HOME
 
Archives by Sport
""Men's Sports
""
"" Baseball
"" Basketball
  Cross Country
  Golf
  Soccer
  Stunt
  Tennis
  Track & Field
  ""
""Women's Sports
  Basketball
  Cheerleading
  Cross Country
  Golf
  Soccer
  Softball
  Tennis
  Track & Field
  Volleyball
  ""  
2002-2003 News
"" Back to Headlines
Box Score

Photos

Yellowjackets Top Defending West Region Champion Cal State-San Bernardino in Defensive Battle (November 23, 2002)

BILLINGS, MT – The Montana State University-Billings Yellowjackets opened the 2002-2003 season Saturday night by defeating the defending West Region champions from Cal State-San Bernardino, 61-60.  Trailing 60-59 with under 30 seconds to play, the Yellowjackets played for the final shot, and senior Jerett Skrifvars hit a driving leaner for the game winning shot.

The game was an important West Region match-up between two teams that qualified for the NCAA Tournament a year ago.  A mixed crew of officials was brought in for the game.  The crew was made up of one official each from the Pacific West Conference, the Great Northwest Athletic Conference, and the California Collegiate Athletic Association, the three conferences that comprise the West Region.

Both teams struggled at the offensive end throughout the game, combining for 34 turnovers.  In the end, a balanced offensive attack from the Yellowjackets prevailed as MSUB shot 42.9-percent from the field compared to the Coyotes’ 31.7-percent.  Only two CSUSB players scored more than one field goal in the game, led by Bobby Burries who netted a game-high 25 points.  Ray Lance scored 21 for the Coyotes, but no other player scored over five.

MSU Billings built a 33-27 halftime lead after holding the Coyotes to 25.8-percent shooting from the floor in the first half.  The Yellowjackets were sparked by Cameron Munoz's two 3-pointers off the bench in the opening half and led by as many as 13 before intermission.

After CSUSB came back to lead the game by five, senior Willy Davison made two huge plays to put the Jackets in position to win.  First, with MSUB trailing 59-56, he hit his second 3-pointer of the night to tie the game with less than two minutes remaining.  Then, after Skrifvars' basket with 10.2 seconds on the clock put the Yellowjackets ahead, Davison made the defensive stop of the game.  CSUSB's Jonathan Levy was driving to the basket with time running down, but Davison stepped in to take the charge and seal the victory for MSU Billings.

The Yellowjackets were led by Skrifvars’ 22 points and six rebounds.  For the game he made 8-of-9 free throw attempts and 7-of-14 field goal attempts, including the game-winner.  Senior forward Kyle Stirmlinger finished with 12 points despite being saddled with foul trouble early. 

MSU Billings will travel to Lacey Washington to take on St. Martin’s College on Wednesday in another West Region match-up.  The Yellowjackets will return home on the Saturday after Thanksgiving to host Minot State University.

  ""  
Links to Current Info
""Men's Sports
  Baseball
  Basketball
  Cross Country
  Golf
  Soccer
  Stunt
  Tennis
  Track & Field
""
""Women's Sports
  Basketball
  Cheerleading
  Cross Country
  Golf
  Soccer
  Softball
  Tennis
  Track & Field
  Volleyball
""
Yellowjacket Athletics Home
""
MSU Billings Home
 
General Information (406) 657-2011 or 1(800) 565-6782
New Student Services (406) 657-2888 or 1 (800) 565-6782 x2888
Send comments, corrections to
webmaster@msubillings.edu
© Montana State University Billings 2007