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The MSU-Northern men's basketball team finished the 2003-04
season with an overall record of 21-13, the first twenty win season
for a Lights basketball team since the 1997-98 campaign. After
a 3-4 start in Frontier Conference play, the Lights won five straight
before losing two close games (overtime and one point) to eventual
co conference champions and NAIA National Tournament participants
Lewis Clark State College and Westminster College. The Lights ended
in a tie for the third best record in the Frontier at 8-6 but were
seeded fifth in the post season tournament. After a first round
upset win on the road at Rocky Mountain College, the Lights suffered
a semi-final loss to Westminster College at the Frontier Conference
Final Four, ending a very memorable season and the careers of three
special senior student athletes.
The Lights lose the services of Travis Moran, Lamar Morinia,
and Larry Morinia. Larry Morinia earned Frontier Conference
MVP honors for the 2003-04 season, averaging
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Lamar Morina leaps for the basket in the Lights game
against Montana Tech. |
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22.1 pts/game while shooting 51 % from the field and 43% from the
three point line. He joined the 1,000 Point Club by scoring 1,374
points in his two year career at MSU-Northern, placing him eighth
all time. In addition, Larry set two Lights single season records:
scoring (751 points) and free throws made (189). Younger brother
Lamar earned Frontier All Conference honors while averaging 16.6
pts/game and 2 steals/game. For his short career, Lamar scored 839
total points. After starting for a majority of the 2002-03 season,
Travis Moran accepted a new role on this year's Lights team and
provided valuable leadership with his constant hustle, defensive
prowess, and never say die attitude.
On the whole, the 2003-04 Lights broke six team single season records,
including points scored (3,095), field goals attempted (2,232),
and field goals made (1,090), were one tenth of a percentage point
behind the all time scoring record of 91.1 points/game (a league
leading 91.0 points/game), and led the league in field goal percentage
at 49.2%. Most importantly, the Lights "set the bar high"
on how to play team basketball with enthusiasm, heart, hustle, and
passion every night. They brought a great deal of pride and excitement
to the MSU-Northern men's basketball program.
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