Yellowjackets Host Alaska Fairbanks Wednesday

BILLINGS, Mont. – The Montana State Billings men’s basketball team is slated to host University of Alaska Fairbanks Wednesday evening at Alterowitz Gymnasium in the final game of a three game home stand.  The Yellowjackets look to snap a three-game skid and stand at 9-7 on the year and 3-4 in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference.  UAF enters with a 6-10 record on the year and a 1-6 mark in conference play.

Wednesday’s game is Banker’s Night sponsored by Stockman Bank and all bankers are admitted free with their business card. 

The Yellowjackets are led this season by DeAndre Chambers who leads the team averaging 15.1 points per game.  He leads the team with 85 field goals made, 36 3-pointers and is second in rebounding at 4.8 rebounds per game.  DaVell Jackson is second in scoring at 12.4 points per contest.  He is second in field goals made (68), third in rebounding (4.7), and leads the team with 91 assists to just 44 turnovers.  Jackson also leads the team with 34 steals.

Derrick Wright and Lasha Parghalava also are averaging double figures on the year.  Wright is third in scoring at 11.7 points per game.  He leads the team in shooting percentage at 56 percent (56 of 100) and leads the team averaging 5.2 rebounds per game.  Parghalava is averaging 10.9 points per game and is third in field goals made with 63. 

As a team, the Yellowjackets are shooting 46 percent from the field on 405 of 880.  They are 96 of 266 from deep for a .361 average and are shooting 72 percent from the line on 261 of 361.  MSUB is pulling down 33.2 rebounds per game and averages 72.9 points per game.

Their opponents are also are shooting 46 percent from the field, 37 percent from beyond the arc and 68 percent from the line.  The opposition is averaging 32.5 rebounds per game and 72.2 points per contest.

The Nanooks enter the week looking to snap a two-game skid and have lost six of seven since an 82-68 setback at home to MSUB in the conference opener Jan. 7.  Leading the way for the Nanooks this season is Parrish West who leads the team averaging 22.3 points per contest.  He also leads the team with 109 field goals made and shoots 52 percent from the field.  West is second in rebounding at 6.9 per game.  Emmanuel Jenkins is second in scoring at 17.4 points per game.  He is second in made field goals with 94 and leads the team with 37 3-pointers.  Jenkins leads the team with 71 assists.

Jon Moe is third in scoring at 15.1 points per game.  He is third in made field goals with 81 and second from range with 32 triples.  Nashorn Maynard is fourth in scoring at 11.3 points and leads the team with 136 rebounds for an 8.5 average and leads the team with 30 steals.

As a team, the Nanooks are shooting 45 percent from the field, 32 percent from beyond the arc and 70 percent from the free throw line.  UAF averages 38.3 rebounds per game and 79.9 points per contest.  Conversely, the opponents are shooting 46 percent from the field, 37 percent from deep and 72 percent from the line.  The opposition is averaging 39.6 rebounds per game and 86.4 points per contest.

The last time the two teams played, MSUB won a historic game as it was the 1,000th win in school history with an 82-68 victory in Fairbanks on Jan. 7, 2010.  It was the conference opener and the first time MSUB has won back-to-back road games in the GNAC since joining the league in 2007.  It also was just the Jackets’ second road win since joining the league.  MSUB won at Northwest Nazarene in the regular season finale last year.

The Jackets had balanced scoring from four players and shot 54 percent from the field for the game.  Chambers had 18 points off the bench, while Brad Hodge had 17 points, Jackson, 15 and Parghalava 10.  MSUB pulled down 39 rebounds to just 29 for the Nanooks.  The Jacket defense stymied the Nanooks in the second half holding UAF to just 10 field goals made and 38 percent shooting to pull away.

UAF was led by 20 points from West, 17 from Maynard, 12 from Jenkins and 11 for Moe.  UAF shot just 41 percent for the game.  MSUB dominated the points in the paint to the tune of 44-22 and scored 21 points off of 18 Nanook miscues. 

Ken Adelblue, the voice of the Yellowjackets, will have the call on the internet for the game.

The Yellowjackets then hit the road at Saint Martin’s and at Western Oregon before returning home for a four game home stand to close out the home portion of the schedule Feb. 18 versus Northwest Nazarene at 7 p.m.  During the home stand, the Yellowjackets will host Hall of Fame Weekend Feb. 20 versus nationally ranked Seattle Pacific and also will celebrate the 1000th win in school history.