November 4, 2007
 
Jackets Fall to Kentucky Wesleyan at Disney

Box Score
MSUB Season Stats

ANAHEIM, Calif.-  The Montana State Billings men’s basketball team fell 87-67 to Kentucky Wesleyan Sunday in game three of the Disney DII West Coast Tip Off Classic. The Yellowjackets drop to 0-3 on the early season while the Panthers improved to 2-1.

The Panthers led the Jackets by as many as 18 points halfway through the first half before taking a 46-33 halftime score into the locker room. The Yellowjackets pulled within seven points midway through the second half after John Brooks (Perris, Calif.) forced a Panthers’ turnover scoring on the fast break, but a 17-4 run by the Panthers over a three and a half minute span put the game out of reach for MSUB. 

“This was a wonderful opportunity for our team,” said Yellowjacket head coach Craig Carse. “The players worked very hard and I am proud of them. The three teams we played in the tournament were of the highest quality, and was a great learning experience for us.”
The Yellowjackets were led by Jeff Miner’s (Gresham, Ore.) 19 points. Miner was 5-of-14 from the field and just 1-of-6 from long range, but was a perfect 8-of-8 from the charity stripe. Brooks netted 15 points on 5-of-10 shooting from the field with teammate Aaron Terry (Moreno Valley, Calif.) adding 10 points and five rebounds. Tyler Hentzen (Brea, Calif.) grabbed a team-high eight boards.
As a team the Yellowjackets were 19-of-48 from the field, 4-of-20 from the perimeter, and 25-of-34 from the free throw line for 74 percent. MSUB was out-rebounded 48-27 in the game by the Panthers.

Two Panthers posted double-doubles, with four scoring in double figures. They were led by Lorenzo Taylor’s 23 points and 10 rebounds. Taylor was 10-of-13 from the floor and 3-of-5 from the charity stripe. Jeff Fahnbulleh scored 17 points and grabbed 12 rebounds. Maurice Blakey and T.J. Smith each added 14 and 11 points respectively.

The Panthers were 36-of-74 from the field, 6-of-9 from the perimeter, and 9-of-15 from the line. They had 10 steals in the game and posted 25 second chance points.

“We played a balanced game, and all eleven players on the roster saw court time,” added Carse. “We appreciate the support from our fans that either live here in Calif., or made the trip to watch us play; it really made the experience great.  I think we have a bright future with this talented group of players.”

The Yellowjackets return to Billings to hold its Alumni Game on Saturday, Nov. 10 with tip off scheduled for 2:00 p.m. at Alterowitz Gymnasium. Following the Alumni Game the Jackets head to Omaha, Neb., for a pair of games November 23 and 24. The Yellowjackets face St. Cloud State on Friday followed by a game against the host team Nebraska-Omaha on Saturday.