Big Sky Conference Notebook
Memorial set for former Montana State player
Former Montana State center Al Beye was killed in an auto accident on Dec. 15 while visiting his brother in Dillon, Mont.
A memorial has been set to honor Beye, who was named the Big Sky Co-Defensive Player of the Year last season, and was selected to the all-conference team. The memorial will take place Sunday, Jan. 21 in MSU’s Worthington Arena.
Beye, a 6-foot-11 native of Senegal, finished his playing career with the Bobcats last season as the school’s single-season blocked shot record-holder.
While being known around the Big Sky Conference as a ferocious defender, Beye was an active member in the Bozeman, Mont., community. Beye visited many area classrooms to read to students of all ages. He also helped with various community projects.
According to reports, Beye died nearly instantly in a single car crash while he and his brother were heading to a Christmas party. Alcohol or bad roads were not figured to be factors in the crash.
Players of the Week: Steven Sir, Northern Arizona, and Arturas Valeika, Weber State
Eastern Washington Eagles (9-9 overall, 3-3 conference)
Last week’s results
At Pocatello, Idaho, Jan. 11: Idaho State 78, Eastern Washington 65
At Portland, Ore., Jan. 13: Eastern Washington 88, Portland State 70
This week’s games
Jan. 18 vs. Northern Arizona
Jan. 20 vs. Northern Colorado
Against the Bengals, the Eagles scored a season-low 65 points. Rodney Stuckey scored 17 points with five assists and three steals. The Eagles shot just 38.5 percent from the field for the game. Marcus Hinton scored 13 points off the bench for EWU. Against the Vikings, Stuckey scored 24 points with eight rebounds, seven assists and two steals. He also went 11-for-12 from the free throw line. Paul Butorac scored 21 points as well.
Idaho State Bengals (9-8, 4-0)
Last week’s results
At Pocatello, Idaho, Jan. 11: Idaho State 78, Eastern Washington 65
At Pocatello, Idaho, Jan. 13: Idaho State 70, Northern Colorado 60
This week’s games
Jan. 18 at Montana (TV: Altitude Sports & Entertainment and ESPN FullCourt)
Jan. 20 at Montana State
Against the Eagles, Pocatello native Matt Stucki scored a season-high 18 points and eight rebounds off the bench. David Schroeder scored 17 points and surpassed the 1,000-career point mark for his career. He is the 17th player in ISU history to accomplish that feat. Akbar Abdul-Ahad also scored 16 for ISU. Against the Bears, true freshman Austin Kilpatrick scored 16 points. ISU held the Bears to 35.3 percent shooting for the game.
Montana Grizzlies (8-9, 2-2)
Last week’s results
At Missoula, Mont., Jan. 13: Montana 73, Montana State 65
This week’s games
Jan. 18 vs. Idaho State (TV: Altitude Sports & Entertainment and ESPN FullCourt)
Jan. 20 vs. Weber State
Against the Bobcats, the Grizzlies beat the cross-state arch-rivals for the fourth straight game. The game was witnessed by a season-high 5,723 at Dahlberg Arena. Sophomore Jordan Hasquet scored 22 points with eight rebounds in a game that saw the two teams combine for just 54 first-half points.
Montana State Bobcats (4-13, 1-3)
Last week’s results
At Missoula, Mont., Jan. 13: Montana 73, Montana State 65
This week’s games
Jan. 18 vs. Weber State
Jan. 20 vs. Idaho State
Against the Grizzlies, Carlos Taylor scored a team-high 15 points off the bench and Casey Durham scored 14.
Northern Arizona Lumberjacks (9-8, 4-2)
Last week’s results
At Greeley, Colo., Jan. 11: Northern Colorado 88, Northern Arizona 86
At Sacramento, Calif., Jan. 13: Northern Arizona 94, Sacramento State 71
This week’s games
Jan. 18 at Eastern Washington
Jan. 20 at Portland State
With the loss against the Bears, the Lumberjacks, the reigning regular season conference champions, dropped to 1-6 on the road this season. Steven Sir scored a collegiate-high 30 points, hitting 10-of-12 shots, including 8-for-10 from 3-point range. Ruben Boykin, Jr., had 22 points and nine rebounds. In the win over the Hornets, NAU shot 77 percent from the field in the second half and 66.7 percent for the game. Sir scored 25 points, hitting 8-of-12, and 7-of-9 3-pointers.
Northern Colorado Bears (3-15, 1-5)
Last week’s results
At Greeley, Colo., Jan. 11: Northern Colorado 88, Northern Arizona 86
At Pocatello, Idaho, Jan. 13: Idaho State 70, Northern Colorado 60
This week’s games
Jan. 18 at Portland State
Jan. 20 at Eastern Washington
Against the Lumberjacks, the Bears picked up their first Big Sky Conference victory with a thrilling victory over NAU. Jefferson Mason hit the game-winning shot with a few seconds remaining after a missed shot. Sean Taibi scored 26 points with six rebounds and three assists for the Bears. Against the Bengals, Taibi scored 15 points with seven rebounds, and the Bears remained winless on the road this season.
Portland State Vikings (11-8, 2-4)
Last week’s results
At Ogden, Utah, Jan. 10: Weber State 75, Portland State 65
At Portland, Ore., Jan. 13: Eastern Washington 88, Portland State 70
This week’s games
Jan. 18 vs. Northern Colorado
Jan. 20 vs. Northern Arizona
Against the Wildcats, the Vikings continued to struggle in Ogden, where they have won only once since joining the Big Sky in 1996. Dupree Lucas scored a game-high 21 points for the Vikings, who shot 40.7 percent for the game. Scott Morrison had a balanced game scoring nine points with six blocks, seven rebounds and three steals. The six blocks were the most by a Big Sky player in a game this season. Against the Eagles, Lucas scored 16 points, and Paul Hafford added 11 off the bench.
Sacramento State Hornets (7-11, 2-4)
Last week’s results
At Ogden, Utah, Jan. 11: Weber State 88, Sacramento State 68
At Sacramento, Calif., Jan. 13: Northern Arizona 94, Sacramento State 71
This week’s games
Jan. 16 at Cal Poly
Against the Wildcats, Haron Hargrave scored 23 points, including going 11-for-11 from the free throw line. The Hornets shot just 35.8 percent from the field and were out-rebounded 38-24. Against the Lumberjacks, Hargrave scored 19 points, and Angel Alamo scored 18 points and pulled down nine boards. The Hornets struggled again from the field, shooting just 36.8 percent, and were outscored 52-39 in the second half.
Weber State Wildcats (12-7, 5-1)
Last week’s results
At Ogden, Utah, Jan. 10: Weber State 75, Portland State 65
At Ogden, Utah, Jan. 11: Weber State 88, Sacramento State 68
This week’s games
Jan. 18 at Montana State
Jan. 20 at Montana
Against the Vikings, Arturas Valeika scored 15 points with 12 rebounds for his second double-double of the season. Tyler Billings scored 14 points off the bench, and Dan Henry scored 13 as well. WSU shot 21-for-27 from the free throw line. Against the Hornets, Valeika registered his second double-double of the week with 20 points and 11 rebounds. David Patten scored 21 points with seven rebounds. The Wildcats shot 73.9 percent from the field in the second half.
