AP-BKCObit-Finberg,0152 UM Western's Finberg dies of pancreatic cancer Eds: APNewsNow.

DILLON, Mont. (AP) Montana Western men's Basketball assistant and former Beaverhead County High basketball coach Craig Finberg died Friday in Dillon of pancreatic cancer. He was 51.

Finberg, the brother of Columbia Falls coach Cary Finberg, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in January. His family announced the death Friday afternoon on a Web site the family established to keep friends and fans posted on Finberg's illness.

The Columbia Falls native played basketball at Montana State University in the late 1970s and is a member of the Bobcat Hall of Fame.

After his illness became known, Western's players wore warm-up T-shirts with "Finny" on the back and inscribed on the front the words of the late North Carolina State coach Jim Valvano, who died of cancer in 1993: "Don't give up. ... Don't ever give up." On the Net: Craig Finberg site: www.caringbridge.org/visit/craigfinberg (Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 03-20-09 1833CDT | save this article / add to your favorites list