FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT Evan O’Kelly Director of Communications O: (406) 657-2130 E: evan.okelly@msubillings.edu Monday, November 28, 2016 Beverly earns GNAC Player of the Week after helping ‘Jackets to 3 wins
Leading MSUB’s men’s basketball team to three wins away from home last week, sophomore Preston Beverly earns GNAC Player of the Week honors. PORTLAND, Ore. – Helping the Montana State University Billings men’s basketball team win three straight games away from home last week, sophomore forward Preston Beverly was named the Great Northwest Athletic Conference Player of the Week announced Monday. The unanimous preseason all-conference selection averaged 16.7 points and 7.7 rebounds over the three wins, and also accumulated eight assists, four blocks, and four steals on the week. “We obviously had a great road trip, and to win three road games you need your best players to play well,” said MSUB head coach Jamie Stevens. “Preston certainly did that. He continues to develop on both sides of the ball, and he just has a great ability to affect a game in so many ways. I hope he can continue to get better and better.”
Beverly’s premier performance came against Colorado Mesa, when he scored 21 points and grabbed eight rebounds. He also narrowly missed a double-double the next day against Western State Colorado, scoring 16 points and adding nine rebounds, and tying his career high with four blocks. Overall Beverly shot 43.6 percent from the field (17-for-39), including 44.4 percent from 3-point range (8-for-18) in an average of 28 minutes per game. He leads the team and ranks seventh in the GNAC with an average of 17.7 points per game. Beverly is also averaging 7.6 rebounds per game, and is shooting 50.0 percent from the field, 43.8 percent from 3-point range, and 73.7 percent from the foul line. This is the first-ever player of the week honor for Beverly, who is the reigning GNAC Freshman of the Year and an honorable mention all-conference selection after a standout debut campaign in 2015-16. Beverly’s effort helped MSUB push its record north of .500, as the Yellowjackets sit at 4-3. The team opens GNAC play this week at home, hosting Concordia University on Saturday at 7 p.m. and Western Oregon University next Monday at 7 p.m. Both games will feature live video with play-by-play commentary, and live statistics, available through MSUB’s Stretch Internet portal here. --@MSUBSports | #JacketNation--