Yellowjackets’ Streak Stopped at BYU-Hawaii (Feb. 17, 2005)
Box Score

LAIE, HI – The Montana State-Billings men’s basketball team had its eight game conference winning streak snapped Thursday night as the Yellowjackets fell at BYU-Hawaii, 115-84.  MSU Billings lost for the first time since January 18 when BYU-Hawaii won a 100-99 overtime decision in Billings.  The Jackets dropped to 16-7 overall and 8-5 in the PacWest Conference.  BYU-Hawaii improved to 14-7, 9-3.

The Yellowjackets and Seasiders are ranked eighth and ninth respectively in this week’s NCAA West Region poll.  The top eight teams in the final regional poll are invited to the NCAA Tournament.  MSU Billings likely needs to win Saturday’s rematch in Laie to keep its tournament hopes alive.  The game will be heard on AM 970 at 5:00 p.m. MST.

The Yellowjackets, who suited up just seven players for the second straight game, were able to hang close throughout the first half.  Both teams started the game on fire offensively, with the Jackets building an 18-15 lead just four and a half minutes into the game.  The Seasiders countered the Yellowjackets’ early 3-point barrage with a strong inside game to take a 53-43 halftime advantage. 

The Seasiders broke the game open early in the second half with a 20-2 run between 18:17 and 13:34.  That run took the wind out of the Jackets’ sails and stalled the offense.  BYU-Hawaii built an 88-61 lead by the 10 minute mark and coasted to the win, leading by as many as 37.

Justin Hassell (Sr., Brooklyn, NY) led the Yellowjackets with 23 points on 9-of-18 shooting from the field.  Cameron Munoz (Jr., Chino, CA) finished with 21 points, hitting 5-of-14 from 3-point range.  The Yellowjackets were 14-of-40 from beyond the arc.

Carlin Hughes (Fr., Perth, Australia) added 16 points and a career-high 11 assists.  He was 4-of-11 from 3-point range.  Buddy Windy Boy netted 15 points with three 3-pointers.  Munoz, Hughes, and Windy Boy each played all 40 minutes.  Hassell logged 38 minutes.

Cody Samuelson (So., Broadus, MT) had five points and a team-high nine rebounds before fouling out.  Drew Arnold (Fr., Tempe, AZ) came off the bench to score four points in 15 minutes.

BYU-Hawaii was led by Jake Chrisman’s 28 points.  He was 10-of-11 from the field and 8-of-9 from the free throw line.  Austin Smylie had 21 points on 8-of-11 shooting.  Both post players grabbed seven rebounds. 

The Seasiders shot 63 percent from the field and 55 percent from 3-point range.  They were also 22-of-25 from the line.  The Yellowjackets shot 43 percent from the field and just 59 percent from the free throw line.

Following Saturday afternoon’s game at BYU-Hawaii, the Yellowjackets will return to Alterowitz Gymnasium for a pair of non-conference games.  They will host MSU-Northern on February 24 and Johnson & Wales on February 26.  The Jackets wrap up the regular season on March 3 at Western New Mexico.