Yellowjackets Drop Conference Opener at Chaminade (Jan. 4, 2005)
Box Score

HONOLULU, HI – Despite a fast start, Montana State-Billings dropped its PacWest Conference opener at Chaminade on Tuesday, 90-58.  The Yellowjackets fell to 8-2 overall and 0-1 in the PacWest.  Chaminade improved to 8-4 overall and 2-0 in the conference.

The Yellowjackets jumped to a quick 6-0 lead to start the game.  Lucas Walker (Fr., Launceston, Australia) scored all six points.  MSU Billings led as late as the 10:55 mark of the opening half before Chaminade tied the game at 18-18.  The Silverswords went on to a 41-31 halftime advantage.  They dominated the boards in the half, out rebounding the Jackets 30-14 overall and 11-0 on the offensive end.  Walker led all scorers in the first half with 13 points.

The Silverswords continued to control the boards in the second half, finishing the game with a 55-33 rebounding advantage.  The ten point halftime deficit was as close as the Yellowjackets would get for the remainder of the game.

Walker finished the night with 19 points on 6-of-14 shooting from the field.  He was a perfect 6-of-6 from the free throw line.  Freshman Drew Arnold (Tempe, AZ) scored a season-high 10 points, hitting 4-of-6 from the line and 3-of-7 from the field.  No other Yellowjacket scored in double figures and MSU Billings made just four 3-pointers as a team.  Justin Hassell (Sr., Brooklyn, NY) and Jonathan Wiley (So., Westlake Village, CA) led the Jackets with six rebounds apiece.

Chaminade shot 45.5 percent from the field in the game and had four players score in double figures.  Zack Whiting led the way with 19 points and nine assists.  Chris Reaves added 18 points, and Chris Campbell finished with 17.

The Yellowjackets will continue their PacWest road swing on Thursday at Hawaii-Hilo.  MSU Billings wraps up the trip to the islands on Saturday at UHH.  The Jackets will play at Brigham Young University in Provo on the way back to Billings on January 11.  All three remaining road games can be heard on AM 970 KBUL in Billings and on the web at www.msubillings.edu/athletics.