Yellowjackets Host East Region Power University of
Charleston (December 18, 2002)
BILLINGS, MT – East
meets West Thursday night when the MSU Billings
Yellowjackets host the University of Charleston Golden Eagles at Alterowitz
Gymnasium. MSU Billings is 5-0 and ranked No. 16 in
the nation. Charleston is 6-1 and has been one of
the best teams in the East Region over the past few
years.
The Yellowjackets
will be defending their nation-best 37-game home
winning streak as well as trying to capture an
important win before leaving for their longest road
trip of the year. MSU Billings will be on the road
from December 28 until January 8 for five games.
The Yellowjackets
are off to another fast start, averaging 90.4 points
per game and winning by an average of 16.8 points.
MSUB was the top scoring team in the nation a year
ago and has scored over 100 points in its last three
games. Four Yellowjackets are averaging
double-figures led by Jerett Skrifvars’s
22.6 points per game. Kyle Stirmlinger is scoring 13.2 points a game and shooting a PacWest
Conference-best 84.8-percent from the field. Dan Thompson is adding 11 points and night and Justin Hassell
averages 10.8 ppg.
On paper, MSU Billings
and Charleston appear to be mirror images of each
other. MSUB averages 90.4 ppg; Charleston averages
85.7. MSUB only allows 73.6 ppg; Charleston allows
74.0. MSUB makes nine 3-pointers a game; Charleston
makes 5.7. MSUB grabs 38.2 rebounds per game;
Charleston averages 36.1. MSUB was No. 1 in scoring
last season; Charleston was No. 6. And even more
importantly, both teams went to the NCAA Tournament
last year and could again this season.
With all the
similarities between the two squads, the match-up
could be one of the most exciting in Alterowitz this
season. Added to the potential for a great game
will be the fact that Charleston has three players
with Montana ties. Seth Flohr is a Billings native
and played at MilesCommunity
College in MilesCity. The
Eagles’ Jason Kearns from Corvallis, Montana, and
Damian Martinez from Trinidad also played at Miles CC.
Tip-off is scheduled
for 7:00 p.m. and the game will be broadcast live on
News Radio 970 KBUL and on the internet at
www.msubillings.edu/athletics. |
