Bobcats Check D'Amore, Top ISU
2/12/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Idaho State D'Amoralized Montana State a month ago in Bozeman. On Saturday in Pocatello, there was no D'Amore.
Bengal forward Doug D'Amore, who torched the Bobcats for 28 points on 8-for-8 shooting in the first meeting between the ancient Big Sky rivals, was 0-for-6 on Thursday. Not that he was without his chances.
"I turned my head," said Mick Durham of D'Amore's there-point attempt that would have tied the game in the last 20 seconds. Instead, the shot clanked off the rim, Frank Brown grabbed the rebound, and MSU made just enough free throws down the stretch to win.
"Go figure," Durham said of the turn in fortunes from the last meeting to this one.
That could also describe common sentiment regarding the Big Sky Conference this season. Road teams in the Big Sky are an unfathomable 20-16 on the season, a total which includes Montana's win at Weber State but not late games involving Sac State at Eastern Washington or NAU at Portland State.
MSU's win Thursday, in the end, was as unlikely as the road fortunes of Big Sky teams this year. MSU countered a season-long trend to stumble out of the starting blocks. The 'Cats built a second-half lead of 21, watched it dissipate, held a tenuous three-point margin when D'Amore missed his last-ditch effort, then held on desparately for the win.
Thursday's results, however the late games turn out, will leave the Big Sky a jumbled mess, after league-leading Eastern Washington. MSU, with five wins, including two on the road, remain in the fight for a Big Sky berth.
Go figure.
Bengal forward Doug D'Amore, who torched the Bobcats for 28 points on 8-for-8 shooting in the first meeting between the ancient Big Sky rivals, was 0-for-6 on Thursday. Not that he was without his chances.
"I turned my head," said Mick Durham of D'Amore's there-point attempt that would have tied the game in the last 20 seconds. Instead, the shot clanked off the rim, Frank Brown grabbed the rebound, and MSU made just enough free throws down the stretch to win.
"Go figure," Durham said of the turn in fortunes from the last meeting to this one.
That could also describe common sentiment regarding the Big Sky Conference this season. Road teams in the Big Sky are an unfathomable 20-16 on the season, a total which includes Montana's win at Weber State but not late games involving Sac State at Eastern Washington or NAU at Portland State.
MSU's win Thursday, in the end, was as unlikely as the road fortunes of Big Sky teams this year. MSU countered a season-long trend to stumble out of the starting blocks. The 'Cats built a second-half lead of 21, watched it dissipate, held a tenuous three-point margin when D'Amore missed his last-ditch effort, then held on desparately for the win.
Thursday's results, however the late games turn out, will leave the Big Sky a jumbled mess, after league-leading Eastern Washington. MSU, with five wins, including two on the road, remain in the fight for a Big Sky berth.
Go figure.
Wednesday, June 10
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Friday, March 13
