November 2, 2007
 
Jacket Men Fall to Metro in Disney Opener

Box Score

ANAHEIM, Calif. – Metro State used a 47-point second half to pull away from Montana State Billings 72-55 Friday night at the Disney’s DII West Coast Tip Off Classic. The game was the season opener for both teams.

The young Yellowjackets gave the defending Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference champions all they could handle for the first 20 minutes. The Jackets led for most of the final four minutes of the first half before settling for a 25-25 halftime tie.

Neither team was on fire offensively in the opening stanza, combining to shoot 15-for-53 from the field. The Roadrunners ramped up the offense in the second half, connecting on 49 percent from the field and 7-of-12 from 3-point range.

Metro finally used a power inside game to pull away, outscoring the Jackets 14-8 in the paint and 14-8 on second chance points. The Roadrunners’ Daniel Bass posted a double-double of 16 points and 11 rebounds. Jesse Wagstaff also grabbed 11 boards to go with nine points. Guiseppe Ciancio netted 13 points off the bench. Metro State out-rebounded MSUB 44-38 in the game.

The Jackets were led by Jeff Miner’s 15 points. He was 5-of-8 from the field, all from 3-point range. Aaron Terry scored 14 points on 5-of-12 shooting in his first collegiate game. Troy Ruff added 10 points, and Tyler Hentzen led the team with nine rebounds. Kyle Palmer dished out eight assists.

The Yellowjackets continue play at the Disney tourney on Saturday when they take on defending NCAA West Region champion Cal State San Bernardino at noon. MSUB will wrap up the tournament against Kentucky Wesleyan on Sunday at 4:00.
All three MSU Billings games can be heard live on the web at www.msubillings.edu/athletics by clicking on the “Live Broadcasts” link on the right side of the page.