Munoz Erupts again as Yellowjackets Roll to Ninth Straight Win (February 20, 2003)

SILVER CITY, NM – Apparently last week was a sign of things to come from Yellowjacket shooting guard Cameron Munoz.  After earning PacWest Player of the Week honors by sinking 17 three-pointers in three games a week ago, the freshman sharpshooter buried 12 against Western New Mexico Thursday night as MSU Billings cruised past the Mustangs 111-79.

Munoz’s latest barrage has given him 76 three-pointers for the season, leaving him just seven shy of reaching the top ten in the Yellowjacket single-season record book.  His 36 points, all coming from behind the arc, led MSUB to its ninth straight win as the Yellowjackets continued to roll up big points against the Mustangs.

On February 1, MSU Billings set a new school record for points scored in a game by hanging 146 on the Mustangs in Billings.  That was preceded by a 109-point outing.  In three games against WNMU this season, the Yellowjackets are averaging 122 points.  Thursday’s onslaught moved the Jackets’ season scoring average to 90.4 points per game.

Coach Craig Carse entered Thursday’s game concerned that the Mustangs would be looking for revenge for the 146-point embarrassment just two weeks ago.  That concern proved to be unfounded as MSUB came out of the gates firing en route to a 51-37 halftime lead.  The Jackets made 10 first half three-pointers while shooting a blistering 59 percent from behind the arc to put the game out of reach early.

While Munoz’s dozen threes tied him for third on the MSUB single-game record list, his teammates dropped in another nine.  The 21 team three-pointers was the fifth highest single-game output in school history.  Senior Dan Thompson hit four of those threes and finished with 18 points.  Freshman Buddy Windy Boy added another three and scored 13 points.  The Yellowjackets have had a history of shooting well in Silver City.  Markus Hallgrimson made an NCAA Division II-record 16 three-pointers there in 2000. 

Running the Yellowjackets’ offensive steamroller again was senior point guard Willy Davison, who handed out 10 assists against only two turnovers in 40 minutes of action.  Davison is now averaging 5.9 assists per game.  Justin Hassell continued to shoot well from the field, connecting on 6-of-11 for 18 points.  Kyle Stirmlinger added another double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds. 

The Yellowjackets improved to 15-6 overall and 8-4 in the PacWest.  Western New Mexico fell to 3-19, 1-11.  The same two teams will square off again Saturday in a non-conference affair.  The Yellowjackets will then travel to Hawaii for their final three conference games of the season.