Yellowjackets Top 3-Point Shooting Team in Final NCAA Stats Rankings (Apr. 9, 2004)

BILLINGS, MT – The Montana State-Billings men’s basketball team led the nation for 3-point shooting for the seventh time since 1996 in the final statistical rankings released by the NCAA on Friday.  The Yellowjackets averaged 12.4 made 3-pointers per game, beating out second place Pfeiffer who averaged 11.0.

As a team, MSU Billings ranked in the top 100 among NCAA Division II schools in six statistical categories.  The Jackets were in the top 20 in four categories including 3-pointers made.  They were also fourth for scoring average (93.1 ppg), fourteenth for 3-point field goal percentage (41.1) and nineteenth for scoring margin (+11.0).

In addition to this past season, the Yellowjackets led NCAA II in 3-point shooting in 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, and 2001.  In 2002 and 2003, MSUB was second in the country for 3-pointers per game.  The Jackets led the nation in scoring in 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001 and 2002 and have been ranked in the top four for scoring for nine straight seasons.

Junior Trae Fortier and senior Jerett Skrifvars each ranked in the top 100 for individual scoring.  Fortier averaged 22.3 points per game to rank thirteenth in the country.  Skrifvars, a first team All-PacWest selection, ranked 77^th for scoring (18.3 ppg), 67^th for field goal percentage (54.0), and 47^th for rebounds per game (8.6).  Sophomore guard Cameron Munoz led the nation all season in 3-point field goals per game (4.85), but fell out of the national rankings because a late season injury dropped him below the 75-percent games played cutoff.  He made 97 3-pointers in 20 games and ranks sixth in school history for 3-pointers made in a career (193).

Senior Dave Carse and sophomore Buddy Windy Boy were each in the top 50 for 3-pointers made per game.  Carse, who led the PacWest with 3.4 3-pointers made per game, ranked thirteenth nationally.  A second team All-PacWest selection, he was also 29^th for assists per game at 5.6.  Windy Boy had an explosive second half of the season to finish 45^th in the nation for 3-pointers made per game.  Carse and Windy Boy also ranked 49^th and 58^th respectively for 3-point field goal percentage.