Bobcats Top Utah Valley, Get First Win
12/2/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Nick Dissly scored a game-high 21 points to lead Montana State to its first victory of the season on Thursday, a 61-45 win over Utah Valley State.
Montana State's win snapped the team's 0-3 start, compiled against Pac 10 and Western Athletic Conference competition, and Bobcat head coach Mick Durham said that relief is a welcome feeling. "Sometimes that first win is the toughest one to get," he said. "It wasn't pretty offensively, but we're playing hard and making strides."
While MSU posted its first solid shooting night of the season, reaching 50% from the field for the first time and hitting a season-high seven three-pointers, the biggest difference may have been on the boards. The Bobcats out-rebounded an opponent for the first time, 37-to-32, and Marvin Moss grabbed 10 boards to lead all players. He has grabbed 21 boards in the last two games, and has led the 'Cats in scoring in all four of the team's games.
"It seems like we struggle on the boards early," Durham said, "but once we get settled in and get a feel for the game we rebound well."
After Wolverine guard David Heck opened the game with a three-pointer, MSU rattled off a 14-2 run to take control of the game. The 'Cats built a double-digit lead in the first 10 minutes, and Utah Valley -- which beat Boise State easily last week -- never got closer than five points. Dissly keyed that early spurt with a pair of three-pointers.
Durham said Montana State's offensive struggles have as much to do with its competition as with his own team, but he said the effect could be a net positive. "We're playing such good defensive teams, I think that's really going to be good for us."
The Bobcats don't have long to enjoy the win. Montana State plays Wyoming on Saturday night at 7 pm in Billings' MetraPark Arena. Plenty of good tickets remain for that game.
Montana State's win snapped the team's 0-3 start, compiled against Pac 10 and Western Athletic Conference competition, and Bobcat head coach Mick Durham said that relief is a welcome feeling. "Sometimes that first win is the toughest one to get," he said. "It wasn't pretty offensively, but we're playing hard and making strides."
While MSU posted its first solid shooting night of the season, reaching 50% from the field for the first time and hitting a season-high seven three-pointers, the biggest difference may have been on the boards. The Bobcats out-rebounded an opponent for the first time, 37-to-32, and Marvin Moss grabbed 10 boards to lead all players. He has grabbed 21 boards in the last two games, and has led the 'Cats in scoring in all four of the team's games.
"It seems like we struggle on the boards early," Durham said, "but once we get settled in and get a feel for the game we rebound well."
After Wolverine guard David Heck opened the game with a three-pointer, MSU rattled off a 14-2 run to take control of the game. The 'Cats built a double-digit lead in the first 10 minutes, and Utah Valley -- which beat Boise State easily last week -- never got closer than five points. Dissly keyed that early spurt with a pair of three-pointers.
Durham said Montana State's offensive struggles have as much to do with its competition as with his own team, but he said the effect could be a net positive. "We're playing such good defensive teams, I think that's really going to be good for us."
The Bobcats don't have long to enjoy the win. Montana State plays Wyoming on Saturday night at 7 pm in Billings' MetraPark Arena. Plenty of good tickets remain for that game.
Thursday, August 27
Monday, August 24
Monday, August 24
Wednesday, June 10
