Bobcats Top Weber
1/15/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Montana State blew out to an 18-1 start and never looked back on Thursday, beating defending Big Sky Champion Weber State 61-48 in Bozeman.
The Bobcats benefited from 31 Weber State turnovers and 22 points from Jason Erickson. Weber State standout Slobodan Ocokoljic scored 13 points to lead the Wildcats, but turned the ball over 11 times.
"Getting off to a fast start, that's what we talked about at the beginning of the game," Erickson said. "We've started slow in the last three or four games, and we wanted to come out and take a little confidence out of their game, deflate them a little bit, and get ourselves into a rhythm."
Bobcat center Calvin Ento chipped in with 14 points and a team-high six rebounds. He said MSU's quick start was a rallying point. "When we get off to a good start it helps us a lot," Ento said. "When we get off to a good start we play at a faster tempo and a better pace."
Weber State chipped away at MSU's early 17-point lead, getting it to single figures twice in the first half before Frank Brown's baseline jumper gave the 'Cats a 29-19 edge at the intermission. A basket by Ocokoljic to begin the second half cut the lead to 29-21, but that was as close as the Wildcats would get. A Spencer Allred free throw brought Weber to within 10, 49-39, with 4:12 to play, but Erickson answered with a three-pointer and three free throws to ice the win.
"Jason really had a great second half," said Bobcat coach Mick Durham. "He sealed the thing with a couple of threes."
Montana State's win raises the Bobcats' record to 10-6, 2-1 in conference play. Weber State falls to 7-8 overall, 0-2 in league play. MSU hosts Idaho State at 7 pm on Saturday, while the Wildcats play at Montana.
The Bobcats benefited from 31 Weber State turnovers and 22 points from Jason Erickson. Weber State standout Slobodan Ocokoljic scored 13 points to lead the Wildcats, but turned the ball over 11 times.
"Getting off to a fast start, that's what we talked about at the beginning of the game," Erickson said. "We've started slow in the last three or four games, and we wanted to come out and take a little confidence out of their game, deflate them a little bit, and get ourselves into a rhythm."
Bobcat center Calvin Ento chipped in with 14 points and a team-high six rebounds. He said MSU's quick start was a rallying point. "When we get off to a good start it helps us a lot," Ento said. "When we get off to a good start we play at a faster tempo and a better pace."
Weber State chipped away at MSU's early 17-point lead, getting it to single figures twice in the first half before Frank Brown's baseline jumper gave the 'Cats a 29-19 edge at the intermission. A basket by Ocokoljic to begin the second half cut the lead to 29-21, but that was as close as the Wildcats would get. A Spencer Allred free throw brought Weber to within 10, 49-39, with 4:12 to play, but Erickson answered with a three-pointer and three free throws to ice the win.
"Jason really had a great second half," said Bobcat coach Mick Durham. "He sealed the thing with a couple of threes."
Montana State's win raises the Bobcats' record to 10-6, 2-1 in conference play. Weber State falls to 7-8 overall, 0-2 in league play. MSU hosts Idaho State at 7 pm on Saturday, while the Wildcats play at Montana.
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