Strong second-half start fuels Montana State in rival win over Montana

MISSOULA – In a recreation that noticed 10 lead modifications within the first half, Montana State (13-7, 6-2 Massive Sky) opened the third quarter with a 22-4 run to gasoline a one-sided second half that led to a nine-point win over rival Montana, 72-63.

“That was one of the crucial composed groups in Dahlberg that I’ve coached, and we have had plenty of good groups over time,” Bobcats head coach Tricia Binford mirrored. “I felt like we responded each time, and we couldn’t cease the three-ball at present, however we had been capable of finding methods of getting within the state of affairs that we had been.”

The Bobcats’ key to success Saturday was controlling the low blocks on each ends of the ground, outscoring Montana 44-14 contained in the paint.

“Our posts actually had a battle at present making an attempt to maintain the ball out from getting within the inside usually,” Binford defined. “[Montana] could be very environment friendly. All their post-play could be very environment friendly after they catch it down low, however I felt like we protected one another. We tried to maintain it out of the paint and out of the submit.”

With lower than two minutes left within the first quarter, a Darian White jumper constructed Montana State their largest lead of the half with 10 factors. Nevertheless, in a span of 1 minute and 9 seconds, Montana closed out the quarter on an 8-0 run to deliver the sport inside two factors, 18-16.

Montana’s Dani Bartsch hit a brief jumper to retake the lead with simply over eight minutes remaining within the half, igniting a back-and-forth shootout that by no means noticed a margin bigger than three factors.

Mack Konig paced the Grizzlies (8-11, 4-4) with 11 of her 12 first-half factors scored within the second quarter. Nevertheless, with the sport tied at 35, Madison Jackson hit the go-ahead jumper for Montana State to carry a two-point lead on the half.

“Within the first half, we realized the issues we had been giving up and the issues we may do higher,” Bobcat senior level guard Darian White defined. “The coaches did a very good job of explaining to us that the threes we had been giving up [and] the issues that had been hurting us on the defensive finish, so simply listening to that we targeted on these issues within the third quarter, and I really feel like that basically confirmed.”

Montana State constructed its largest lead of the sport with 7:44 remaining in regulation following a 3-pointer from Grace Beasley. Montana answered with a 9-2 run to deliver the sport inside 9 factors, however Kola Dangerous Bear stole again the momentum on a low block and-1 with 1:45 remaining in regulation.

“We simply didn’t come out enjoying the appropriate method within the third quarter,” Montana head coach Brian Holsinger mentioned. “Finally that was the distinction within the recreation.”

White led the best way with 22 factors on nine-for-16 capturing, whereas additionally recording a team-high tie seven rebounds. Kola Dangerous Bear and Grace Beasley additionally posted double figures with 13 factors every.

Montana true Freshmen Libby Stump (21 factors) and Konig (20 factors) completed with new profession highs.

Each Montana and Montana State will host a two-game dwelling collection subsequent week in opposition to Portland State and Sacramento State.