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2006-2007 News
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Patriots Hold Jackets In Check, 78-69 (1/17/07)
Box Score

DALLAS, TX –  Despite a huge second half, the Montana State-Billings men’s basketball team dropped their fifth straight contest falling 78-69 to Heartland Conference opponent Dallas Baptist University Wednesday in Dallas.  The Yellowjackets are 2-13 overall and an even 2-2 in league play.  The win improves the Patriots to 5-10 on the season and 2-3 in the conference.

The Patriots started off the game going on a 6-0 run and were up by double digits just 3:05 into the game.  Although the Jackets were getting plenty of shots off, they struggled in the first half going just 8-35 from the field and 5-25 from behind the arc.  It looked like Dallas Baptist was going to steamroll the Yellowjackets by the end of the first half holding the 40-24 advantage.

“Some nights the ball just doesn’t go in the basket,” said Yellowjacket head coach Craig Carse.  “The guys just kept fighting and had some great shots in the second half.  They are a fun team to coach.  Watching them learn and grow and knowing our future is bright keeps us going when we aren’t getting the wins we hope for.”

Regrouping in the locker room, the Yellowjackets came out of the gates wanting a ball game.  Jeff Miner (Gresham, OR) scored five of his career-high nine 3-pointers in the second half while teammate Cody Samuelson (Broadus, MT) knocked down three second half 3-pointers of his own.  A basket by freshman Mike Barton (Havre, MT) at the 12:47 mark brought the Patriots’ lead down to six. 

The Patriots’ Nick Michels hit a three with 5:20 to play but was answered by the Jackets’ point guard Eric Cunningham (Phoenix, AZ) to come within two possessions of the lead.  A Yellowjacket foul with 11 seconds on the clock sent the Patriots’ Brandon Wash to the line for two where he connected on both, putting the game out of reach for the Jackets.

“As I have said before, we need to work on our foul situation as we are sending the opponent to the line too many times and is costing us valuable points,” added Carse.  “The guys are playing hard, staying positive and I know things are going to come around.”

The Yellowjackets were 24-of-67 from the field and 15-of-49 from 3-point range in the contest.  The game was really a tale of two halves.  The Yellowjackets shot 23 percent from the field in the first half and were an even 50 percent in the second half of play.  From the perimeter, the Yellowjackets were a cool 20 percent in the first half compared to an efficient 41.7 percent in the second half.  The Jackets were 6-of-11 from the charity stripe in the game for 54.5 percent.

Miner scored a career-high 29 points on 10-of-27 shooting from the field and 9-of-25 from 3-point range.  He also had a career-best four steals in the game.  Cunningham netted 15 points on 5-of-9 shooting from the floor and shot a career-high 3-of-7 from long range.  Cunningham also handed out seven assists.  Samuelson was 5-of-10 from the field and 3-of-8 from the perimeter for 13 points.  He grabbed five boards in the game.

The Patriots were led by Brandon Wash with 20 points.  Wash earned his living at the charity stripe going 8-of-9.  He was 6-of-9 from the field and picked up the double-double with 10 boards.  Dwight Coleman had 19 points in the game on 8-of-19 shooting from the field and 3-of-5 from 3-point range.  He also had a double-double grabbing a game-high 15 rebounds.

As a team the Patriots were 28-of-61 from the field and just 4-of-10 from the perimeter.  They were18-of-25 from the free throw line compared to the Jackets 6-of-11.  The Patriots out-rebounded the Yellowjackets 43-31.

The Jackets have a short turnaround time before hosting Heartland Conference opponent Lincoln University (3-9, 0-1) on Saturday, January 20.  It will be the first game of a four-game home stand with games scheduled against league leaser St. Mary’s (8-6, 2-0) on January 24 followed by two games against University of the Incarnate Word (6-8, 1-1) on January 27 and 28.  Tip off for all four games are scheduled for 7:30 p.m.  Games can be heard live at AM 970 KBUL.

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