FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Evan O’Kelly Director of Communications O: (406) 657-2130 E: evan.okelly@msubillings.edu Saturday, January 21, 2017 ‘Jackets lose at Seattle Pacific 94-75 Saturday
Jordan Perry scores a season-high 17 points and Marc Matthews matches him, but MSUB loses its second straight game in a 94-75 setback at Seattle Pacific on Saturday. SEATTLE – Jordan Perry scored a season-high 17 points but the Montana State University Billings men’s basketball team lost for the second straight game, falling 94-75 at Seattle Pacific University on Saturday evening in Great Northwest Athletic Conference Action at Brougham Pavilion. The Falcons used a 22-2 burst midway through the second half to turn a 57-55 edge into a 79-57, game-changing lead. The Yellowjackets made just 1 of 5 shots and committed four turnovers during the stretch that ultimately determined the outcome of the game, while the Falcons shot 8-for-8 including four 3-pointers. Tony Miller and Joe Rasmussen, who scored 17 and 18 points, respectively, started the run with back-to-back treys and the Falcons never looked back. Miller scored seven straight points amidst the scoring burst, two of them coming on a loud dunk on an assist from Betu Olivier-Paul.
Coleman Wooten scored all of his game-high 23 points by the 12:56 mark in the second half, as the sophomore was 8 of 10 from the field including 3 of 4 from 3-point range. Miller added a game-high eight rebounds to his 17 points, and Gavin Long was also in double figures with 14 points on 5-for-6 shooting accuracy. “SPU played very well, and we ran into another team that played a good game,” said Stevens hinting at the Falcons’ 13-for-25 mark from 3-point range (52.0 percent). “As a coaching staff, we need to do a better job of preparing our guys, especially defensively.” The ‘Jackets fell to 11-7 with the loss, and are now 6-4 in conference play. Meanwhile, SPU improved to 8-10 on the season and is 4-6 at the halfway point in the GNAC season. Early foul trouble hindered MSUB leading scorer Preston Beverly, who had three personal fouls midway through the opening half. The sophomore rallied to finish with a dozen points and five rebounds, but exited the game early as he fouled out for the first time this year.
Senior Marc Matthews matched Jordan Perry with a team-high 17 points in Saturday’s loss at Seattle Pacific.
Perry rose to the occasion in a season-high 24 minutes, making 5 of 8 shots including 3 of 5 from 3-point range, and all four of his free throws. He also picked up a season-best six rebounds and had an assist and a steal.
Senior Marc Matthews knocked down 4 of 8 threes, matching Perry with 17 points. He also tied for the team high with six boards, and led the ‘Jackets with five assists. In a first half that featured five ties and a pair of lead changes, the Yellowjackets kept pace and trailed just 43-39 at the break. MSUB was an efficient 11-for-26 (42.3 percent) from the field in the opening 20 minutes, but cooled off to finish the night just 12-for-39 (30.7 percent) in the second. The Falcons meanwhile upped their accuracy after the break, sinking a stellar 8 of 10 treys and 19 of 27 shots (70.3 percent) overall in the second half. Only 16 of SPU’s points came off of the bench, and the Falcons won despite being outrebounded 39-34 in the game. Both teams were solid from the foul line, with SPU hitting 17 of 24 shots (70.8 percent) and MSUB knocking down 17 of 21 (81.0 percent). Though the teams were relatively even with MSUB committing 15 turnovers and SPU 12, the Falcons capitalized on their opportunities with 25 points off of turnovers compared with just a dozen for MSUB. Jace Anderson finished the night with eight points on a pair of threes, and Cinco Durr came off the bench to score eight points and contribute a pair of assists. THE BUZZ: Perry was selected as the St. Vincent Healthcare Player of the Game…the junior was four points off of his career high of 21…the ‘Jackets lost back-to-back games for the first time this season, with Saturday’s defeat coming on the heels of a 106-58 setback at Saint Martin’s University on Thursday…after entering the week No. 2 in the GNAC in 3-
point field-goal percentage defense (32.9 percent), MSUB’s two opponents combined to go 32-for-53 (60.4 percent) from beyond the arc…SPU is now 40-30 all-time against MSUB and is 29-8 in games at Brougham Pavilion…SPU has won five in-a-row in the series and nine of the last 10 overall. AHEAD: MSUB returns home next week, to host Western Washington University and Simon Fraser University. The ‘Jackets tangle with the nationally-ranked Vikings next Thursday at 7 p.m., before challenging the Clan on Saturday at 7 p.m. at Alterowitz Gym. Both games will feature live video with play-by-play commentary and live statistics, available through MSUB’s Stretch Internet portal here. --@MSUBSports | #JacketNation--