MSU-Northern
Lights go 3-0 at
George Ferguson
Havre Daily News Sports
Montana State University-Northern's men's
basketball team is off to an early but good start this season. The Lights went
a perfect 3-0 at the 2005 Hoopfest in
On Friday night the Lights trounced tournament host
The Kings University College, 72-52. Northern jumped out to an early first-half
lead and never looked back.
Despite shooting somewhat poorly from the floor, the Lights' defense stepped
up and created a lot of turnovers that enabled the team to stay well out front
most of the game.
Northern was paced by Jordan Mathews' game-high 13 points. Center Yanif Ducreay chipped in with 11
points and Cody Gillespie added eight points.
The win on Friday pushed the Lights' record to 2-0 on the young season.
On Saturday afternoon the Lights were tested for the first time this season
as they barely outlasted the University of Alberta, 68-65.
Northern's lead was slim throughout the contest,
and the Lights had to withstand some serious foul trouble down the stretch as
the Golden Bears went to the free throw line 31 times, converting on 21 of
those attempts.
The Lights held a slim four-point lead at intermission, 31-27. The Golden
Bears managed to outscore MSU-Northern 38-37 in the second half, but could not
pull the game out in the waning moments.
The Lights had three players score in double figures, led by Havre native
Cory Brothers. Brothers scored a game-high 19 points, including five 3-pointers
on the night. He also totaled seven rebounds and five assists. Mathews had 13
points, including three treys. Adrian Nelson chipped in with 10 points.
The Golden Bears got 16 points from Gordon Scott and 14 points from Richard
Bates in the losing effort.
Northern also won its opening game of the tournament on Thursday night.
Fortunately for the Lights, all three games played in
MSU-Northern (3-0) will host its annual alumni basketball game on Saturday
night. The Lights will return to regular-season action on Oct. 22 when they
host the
Friday
MSU-N 72, The
MSU-N - Jordan Mathews 2-2 4-4 13, Leo Bullchild
1-2 0-0 2, Cory Brothers 3-7 0-0 7, Reid Stovall 3-10 1-2 7, Brian Erickson 1-2
1-2 3, Adrian Nelson 3-5 1-3 7, Marcus Wilson 3-5 2-2
8, Cody Gillespie 2-5 5-6 9, Ronnie Simpson 4-5 0-0 8, Pathe
Yatera 1-2 1-1 3, Yanif Ducreay 5-11 4-5 11. Totals:23-63
19-26 72.
MSU-Northern 68,
MSU-N - Jordan Mathews 5-9 0-2 13, Leo Bullchild
1-2 0-0 2, Cory Brothers 7-11 0-0 19, Reid Stovall 1-3 0-0 2, Brian Erickson
2-3 2-2 6, Adrian Nelson 5-8 0-2 10, Marcus Wilson 1-6 0-0 2, Cody Gillespie
2-2 0-0 6, Ronnie Simpson 1-2 1-1 3. Totals: 27-53 4-9 68.