Erickson Fireworks Not Enough
2/5/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Mick Durham searched for words to describe Jason Erickson's play in Montana State's 64-61 loss to league-leading Eastern Washington on Thursday.
Durham, MSU's 14th-year head coach who with one more win will be the winningest coach in Big Sky history, settled on the highest praise he can give.
"I would like to have played with him."
Erickson put on a clinic on Thursday. With Eastern leading 11-0 five minutes into the game, the senior from Eagle River, Alaska, hit three three-pointers in a four-minute span to keep his team in the game. He finished with 27 points, nearly half of his team's output.
Erickson was the only Bobcat who posed a serious offensive threat on Thursday. The rest of MSU's starting lineup combined for 24 points. The rest of the team scored just 34.
Erickson's heroics notwithstanding -- or perhaps highlighted -- the loss was a heartbreaker. MSU trailed 11-0 to start the game, and by as many as 15 in the second half. The 'Cats actually took the lead with just over four minutes left on, of course, and Erickson jumper.
His leadership and passion were on full display in the post-game press conference. "I'm going to do what I can," Erickson said, when asked about carrying his team for much of the night. "I have six games left in my college career. This thing means the world to me, and I won't let us ever relax."
While Erickson is stalking history -- he is chasing MSU's all-time steals record, and is among the school's best ever in three-point shooting and assists, as well -- it is quite evident that he has bigger goals in mind. Collective goals. The team.
That's the beauty of Jason Erickson. He is one of the most spectacular players in MSU history, and is having a senior season for the ages. He has one Big Sky MVP trophy for his mantle place when his fabulous career has run its course, and is making a strong case for another.
But none of that matters. What Erickson is after can only be accomplished as a group.
"I am never going to give up on any of these guys that I've been through so much with."
Words are hard to come by when describing Erickson. That's why we're just as well off listening to him.
"There's a lot of season left. We'll get there together."
Durham, MSU's 14th-year head coach who with one more win will be the winningest coach in Big Sky history, settled on the highest praise he can give.
"I would like to have played with him."
Erickson put on a clinic on Thursday. With Eastern leading 11-0 five minutes into the game, the senior from Eagle River, Alaska, hit three three-pointers in a four-minute span to keep his team in the game. He finished with 27 points, nearly half of his team's output.
Erickson was the only Bobcat who posed a serious offensive threat on Thursday. The rest of MSU's starting lineup combined for 24 points. The rest of the team scored just 34.
Erickson's heroics notwithstanding -- or perhaps highlighted -- the loss was a heartbreaker. MSU trailed 11-0 to start the game, and by as many as 15 in the second half. The 'Cats actually took the lead with just over four minutes left on, of course, and Erickson jumper.
His leadership and passion were on full display in the post-game press conference. "I'm going to do what I can," Erickson said, when asked about carrying his team for much of the night. "I have six games left in my college career. This thing means the world to me, and I won't let us ever relax."
While Erickson is stalking history -- he is chasing MSU's all-time steals record, and is among the school's best ever in three-point shooting and assists, as well -- it is quite evident that he has bigger goals in mind. Collective goals. The team.
That's the beauty of Jason Erickson. He is one of the most spectacular players in MSU history, and is having a senior season for the ages. He has one Big Sky MVP trophy for his mantle place when his fabulous career has run its course, and is making a strong case for another.
But none of that matters. What Erickson is after can only be accomplished as a group.
"I am never going to give up on any of these guys that I've been through so much with."
Words are hard to come by when describing Erickson. That's why we're just as well off listening to him.
"There's a lot of season left. We'll get there together."
Wednesday, June 10
Friday, March 27
Monday, March 23
Friday, March 13
