'Cats Top WCU to Win Tourney
12/30/2003 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Jason Erickson had a tall order Tuesday night. Montana State's senior guard was asked to guard the nation's leading scorer, attack Western Carolina's full-court trap, and spur the suddenly resurgent Bobcat offense.
Erickson was true to the task, leading Montana State to an 84-69 victory over the Catamounts in the Championship Game of the Holiday Stores Big R Classic. For the second time in three years, Erickson earned tournament MVP honors.
"Jason pretty much played two full nights, and guarded the leading scorer in the country," said MSU head coach Mick Durham. "He's very deserving (of the MVP honors). He's a player who really stands out."
Erickson scored 17 points, helped hold Western Carolina's Kevin Martin to 22 points, six below his NCAA-leading average of 28 points a game, was the point person in attacking WCU's full-court trap, dished out two assists, and blocked a shot. But Durham was more impressed with another aspect of Erickson's game. "His leadership might be the most important thing," Durham said.
The Bobcats and Western Carolina played more or less even for the first 11 minutes of the game, then went on a 13-4 run to build a 10-point lead with five minutes left in the first half. A Danny Faaborg three-pointer and two defensive stands in the last minute of the half gave the Bobcats an 11-point margin at the break.
The Catamounts used a 14-6 run to get to within five midway through the second half, and a Kyle Greathouse three-pointer 8:39 to play drew the Catamounts to within four. Two baskets by Erickson and a Josh Barsh's third three-pointer of the season helped MSU stretch its lead to 10. WCU would get no closer than nine the rest of the way.
"Have that lead at 10, 11, 12 is a little more of a security blanket when you're shooting free throws than when its five or six," Durham said. "We needed to finish the game, and we did, and that was a good sign."
Montana State's ability to defend explosive Western Carolina proved to be crucial to the team's success. The 'Cats held WCU to 47% shooting, and forced 17 Catamount turnovers. MSU shot 57% -- the team's second straight game over 55% -- and outrebounded Western 34-to-26.
"I thought defensive we stayed pretty focused for 40 minutes," Durham said. "That was the difference when they had a chance to come back in the second half." The key to that defensive effort was the job Erickson and Josh Barsh did on Martin. "Erickson and Barsh, that matchup was key. I thought we made him work hard to get his points, and we knew that would be important."
MSU raises its record to 6-5 on the season, while Western drops to 6-4. The Bobcats host Rocky Mountain on Friday at 7 pm.
Erickson was true to the task, leading Montana State to an 84-69 victory over the Catamounts in the Championship Game of the Holiday Stores Big R Classic. For the second time in three years, Erickson earned tournament MVP honors.
"Jason pretty much played two full nights, and guarded the leading scorer in the country," said MSU head coach Mick Durham. "He's very deserving (of the MVP honors). He's a player who really stands out."
Erickson scored 17 points, helped hold Western Carolina's Kevin Martin to 22 points, six below his NCAA-leading average of 28 points a game, was the point person in attacking WCU's full-court trap, dished out two assists, and blocked a shot. But Durham was more impressed with another aspect of Erickson's game. "His leadership might be the most important thing," Durham said.
The Bobcats and Western Carolina played more or less even for the first 11 minutes of the game, then went on a 13-4 run to build a 10-point lead with five minutes left in the first half. A Danny Faaborg three-pointer and two defensive stands in the last minute of the half gave the Bobcats an 11-point margin at the break.
The Catamounts used a 14-6 run to get to within five midway through the second half, and a Kyle Greathouse three-pointer 8:39 to play drew the Catamounts to within four. Two baskets by Erickson and a Josh Barsh's third three-pointer of the season helped MSU stretch its lead to 10. WCU would get no closer than nine the rest of the way.
"Have that lead at 10, 11, 12 is a little more of a security blanket when you're shooting free throws than when its five or six," Durham said. "We needed to finish the game, and we did, and that was a good sign."
Montana State's ability to defend explosive Western Carolina proved to be crucial to the team's success. The 'Cats held WCU to 47% shooting, and forced 17 Catamount turnovers. MSU shot 57% -- the team's second straight game over 55% -- and outrebounded Western 34-to-26.
"I thought defensive we stayed pretty focused for 40 minutes," Durham said. "That was the difference when they had a chance to come back in the second half." The key to that defensive effort was the job Erickson and Josh Barsh did on Martin. "Erickson and Barsh, that matchup was key. I thought we made him work hard to get his points, and we knew that would be important."
MSU raises its record to 6-5 on the season, while Western drops to 6-4. The Bobcats host Rocky Mountain on Friday at 7 pm.
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