Fortier’s Career-Highs Not Enough for Yellowjackets (Jan. 6, 2003)

HONOLULU, HI – Trae Fortier scored a career-high 37 points Thursday night, but the Yellowjackets lost to a hot-shooting Hawaii Pacific University, 107-92, in the Pacific West Conference opener for both teams.  MSU Billings dropped to 6-3 overall and 0-1 in the PacWest, while Hawaii Pacific improved to 4-8, 1-0. 

Following a Marvin Noble 3-pointer to open the game, the Sea Warriors jumped to an 8-0 lead and never trailed.  The closest the Yellowjackets could get was to within three points with 13:46 remaining in the first half.  Noble had five 3-pointers in the game as Hawaii Pacific shot an unconscious 70-percent from behind the arc.  The Sea Warriors made a school-record 19 from long range, and Noble finished with 22 points.

Hawaii Pacific built its lead to 20 by halftime despite Fortier’s attempts to carry the Yellowjackets.  The junior forward had 19 first half points to go with seven rebounds, but the Jackets managed just 31 points in the opening stanza.  Fortier added a career-high 13 rebounds in the game to complete the double-double.  He was 12-of-22 from the field and 10-of-15 from the free throw line.  He also blocked two shots and grabbed four steals.

The Yellowjackets were able to cut the Sea Warriors’ lead to 12 on two occasions in the second half behind Fortier and Cameron Munoz.  Munoz, who was held scoreless in the first half, hit five second half 3-pointers.  Back-to-back threes from Munoz and a Fortier layup drew the Jackets to within 63-51 just five minutes into the second half. 

Following an Aaron Abrams 3-pointer for HPU, the Jackets’ Alex Galloway got into the act with a triple of his own on the next possession to make the score 66-54.  That was as close as MSU Billings would get, however, as the Sea Warriors kept the hot shooting touch for the entire game.  Abrams scored a career-high 34 points, connecting on 7-of-11 from 3-point range.  Galloway finished with three 3-pointers and 15 points.

Fortier and Dave Carse also had three 3-pointers apiece for the Yellowjackets.  Carse finished with 20 points, his highest point total of the season, and handed out a team-high five assists.  The Yellowjackets were only credited with nine total assists in the game.

Hawaii Pacific has now won five of the last six games against the Yellowjackets and holds a 6-5 edge in the all-time series between the schools.  The Jackets and Sea Warriors will square off again on Thursday in Honolulu.  Tip off is scheduled for 10:30 p.m. MST.  The game will be broadcast live on AM 970 KBUL and on the internet at www.msubillings.edu/athletics.