Montana State Bobcats

Erik Rush scored a game-high 18 points and Branden Johnson led all players with 13 rebounds, leading Montana State to a 66-55 exhibition win over Valley City State on Monday.

The game stayed close throughout. Montana State never led by more than seven in the first half, its cushion at the intermission. Bobby Howard's layup with 10:36 to play gave MSU its first double-digit lead at 50-40. The Vikings drew within eight at the 4:54 mark and closed to seven with 1:38 to play, but never seriously challenged in the second half.

"I'd like to say we had a great offensive night," said MSU coach Brad Huse, "but shooting just 4-for-20 (from three-point range), against that zone in the second half it was frustrating. We have to do a better job knocking down shots."

Neither team found an offensive rhythm, with both shooting 45% from the floor. MSU hit two more buckets than VCSU, including one additional trey, largely on the strength of eight offensive rebounds. The Bobcats also hit 16 of their 19 free throws.

Huse remained happy with his team's shot selection. "I'm pretty confident we were getting decent shots on every possession," he said. "We just need to knock them down."

Rush hit big shots and got to the free throw line, connecting on all seven of his charity tosses, when the Bobcats needed production. "I thought Erik made veteran plays for us," Huse said. "Then he made his free throws. He played like a veteran for us tonight."

Montana State opens the regular season Saturday night at Nevada.