Yellowjackets Open Crucial Three Game Home Stand Thursday

BILLINGS, Mont. – The Montana State Billings men’s basketball team returns home to open a three game home stand Thursday at 7:30 p.m. versus Central Washington in an important West Region matchup.  The Yellowjackets enter the week with a 9-5 record overall and a 3-2 mark in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference.  Central Washington stands at 9-6 overall and 3-2 in conference play.

MSUB is one of five GNAC teams ranked in the initial NCAA Division II West Region Poll which was announced Wednesday.  The Yellowjackets are seventh in the poll, while Central Washington is ninth.  Fellow GNAC foes Seattle Pacific, Western Washington and Alaska Anchorage are 1-3, respectively.  The Yellowjackets host No. 21 Western Washington Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

Thursday’s game theme versus Central Washington is Beach Night, while Saturday’s theme is Disco Night.  On Thursday, fans who dress for the beach will receive half price admission.

MSUB is led this season by DeAndre Chambers who leads the team averaging 14.9 points per game.  Chambers also leads the team with 75 made field goals and is second in rebounds with 64 for a 4.6 average.  He is second in 3-pointers made with 26 and second in assists with 34.  DaVell Jackson is second in scoring at 12.4 points per game.  He is second in made free throws with 45 and leads the team with 83 assists for better than a 2:1 assist/turnover ratio.  Jackson leads the team with 31 steals. 

Lasha Parghalava leads the team in made 3-pointers with 27.  He is third in scoring at 11.5 points per game.  Derrick Wright is the fourth Yellowjacket in double figures (11.4) and leads the team in rebounding at 5.5 clip.   

As a team, the Yellowjackets are shooting 47 percent from the field, 37 percent from beyond the arc and 73 percent from the line.  The Jackets are out-rebounding their opponents 33.6 to 31.4 and are averaging 73.9 points per game.

Central Washington is led by JC Cook who is averaging 14.6 points per game.  He is second in made field goals with 62 and second in triples with 22.  Tyler Toussaint is second in scoring (12.0), while Chris Sprinker leads the team with 73 made field goals and averages 7.2 rebounds per game.  He has a team-high 30 blocks on the year and is third in steals with 14.  Humberto Perez, who is third in scoring (11.3), leads the team in made 3-pointers with 36.

As a team, the Wildcats are shooting 46 percent from the field, 33 percent from beyond the arc and 67 percent from the line.  CWU is pulling down 40.3 rebounds per game and allowing 37.3.  The Wildcats are averaging 87.2 points per game and allowing 79.8.

Western Washington enters the week with a 17-3 record and a 4-2 mark in league play.  The Vikings are led by Derrick Webb who leads the team averaging 14.9 points per game.  Webb leads the team in field goals made (94) and free throws made (82).  He is second in triples with 28 and is second in assists at a 6.3 average.  Morris Anderson is second in scoring at 14.2 points.  He leads the team from deep with 44 triples and is shooting just under 90 percent from the charity stripe (61-68).  He leads the team with 87 assists on the year to 56 turnovers.

As a team, the Vikings are shooting 46 percent from the field, 34 percent from beyond the arc and 71 percent from the line.  WWU is averaging 38.3 rebounds per game and 78.4 points per contest, while allowing only 61.8 points per game.