George Ferguson
Havre Daily News Sports
gferguson@havredailynews.com
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 Edmonton, Alberta, this weekend.
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 Canada will count toward their regular-season win total.
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 University of Regina.
Friday
MSU-N 72, The Kings University College 52
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, University of Alberta 65
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.
University of Alberta - Alex Steele 2-3 2-6 6, Andrew Parker 1-2 2-2 4, Jeff Lander 3-4 2-2 9, James Hudson 3-9 2-2 8, Scott Gordon 4-8 8-11 16, Jeff Stork 2-6 4-4 8, Richard Bates 6-7 2-4 14. Totals: 21-42 22-31 65.
