'Cats Top CSU
1/5/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Montana State's start Monday night was colder than the weather outside Brick Breeden Fieldhouse, but Jason Erickson's red-hot finish vaulted the 'Cats to an 82-75 win over Colorado State.
"We had a great (second) half," said Bobcat coach Mick Durham. "We weathered the storm. I like the toughness we showed tonight, I like the way we played. That was a quality win."
Montana State shot just 43% for the game, but Erickson's sensational play spurred the Bobcats to a strong finish. The senior guard scored a career-high 30 points, including 24 in the second half. He chipped in two assists, four rebounds, and a steal.
"What can you say about how Jason played in the second half?" Durham asked. "He really got going. He got good looks in the half-court, and on the fast break. He did a great job."
In the game's first 15 minutes, it didn't look as if even Erickson's heroics could get the 'Cats past the first Mountain West opponent to visit the Fieldhouse. The Rams jumped out to a 13-2 lead with 13:31 to play in the first half, and at the 5:45 mark led 23-9. A Calvin Ento basket inside spurred a 13-0 MSU run that go the 'Cats to within 23-22, and a Matt Towsley layup at 32 seconds tied the score at the intermission.
"That was a tough start, but we showed some heart in hanging in there," Durham said. "We talked to the team about needing to learn how to win a big game. I think wins over Western Carolina and Colorado State shows that we can win big games. That's a good way to head into the conference season."
Ronnie Clark led Colorado State with 27 points and six rebounds, filling the void left by an injury to center Matt Nelson late in the first half. Jon Rakiecki had 12 points and four assists for CSU.
Freshman Nick Dissly had his best game for MSU, matching a career high with 17 points and getting a career-high nine rebounds. The Bobcats outrebounded CSU 37-to-30, and limited the bigger Rams to five offensive rebounds.
"Nick's aggressiveness offensively really made a difference in the second half," Durham said. "He did a good job going to the hole and hitting his free throws."
MSU opens conference play Thursday night at Portland State.
"We had a great (second) half," said Bobcat coach Mick Durham. "We weathered the storm. I like the toughness we showed tonight, I like the way we played. That was a quality win."
Montana State shot just 43% for the game, but Erickson's sensational play spurred the Bobcats to a strong finish. The senior guard scored a career-high 30 points, including 24 in the second half. He chipped in two assists, four rebounds, and a steal.
"What can you say about how Jason played in the second half?" Durham asked. "He really got going. He got good looks in the half-court, and on the fast break. He did a great job."
In the game's first 15 minutes, it didn't look as if even Erickson's heroics could get the 'Cats past the first Mountain West opponent to visit the Fieldhouse. The Rams jumped out to a 13-2 lead with 13:31 to play in the first half, and at the 5:45 mark led 23-9. A Calvin Ento basket inside spurred a 13-0 MSU run that go the 'Cats to within 23-22, and a Matt Towsley layup at 32 seconds tied the score at the intermission.
"That was a tough start, but we showed some heart in hanging in there," Durham said. "We talked to the team about needing to learn how to win a big game. I think wins over Western Carolina and Colorado State shows that we can win big games. That's a good way to head into the conference season."
Ronnie Clark led Colorado State with 27 points and six rebounds, filling the void left by an injury to center Matt Nelson late in the first half. Jon Rakiecki had 12 points and four assists for CSU.
Freshman Nick Dissly had his best game for MSU, matching a career high with 17 points and getting a career-high nine rebounds. The Bobcats outrebounded CSU 37-to-30, and limited the bigger Rams to five offensive rebounds.
"Nick's aggressiveness offensively really made a difference in the second half," Durham said. "He did a good job going to the hole and hitting his free throws."
MSU opens conference play Thursday night at Portland State.
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