Bobcat Game Notes vs. Sacramento State
1/17/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
MONTANA STATE (8-8/3-0) vs. Sacramento State (5-11/2-2), NAU (9-8/2-2)
Off to its second 3-0 start in Big Sky play in the last four seasons, Montana State returns home for its first league homestand of the season. The Bobcats host Sacramento State on Thursday and Northern Arizona on Saturday, a pair of opponents on two-game winning streaks. Sacramento State has beaten the ‘Cats four straight times, two in a row in Bozeman, while NAU has won two of the last three against MSU.
GAME FACTS
TIP vs SAC 7:05 pm MST
SITE Bozeman
ARENA Worthington Arena
RADIO Bobcat Network/Kris Atteberry
TV none
TIP vs NAU 7:05 pm MST
SITE Bozeman
ARENA Worthington Arena
RADIO Bobcat Network/Kris Atteberry
TV Omega TV
HIGHLIGHTS
* Mick Durham is the first Bobcat coach to win four times in Missoula since Roger Craft (5) in the 1960s
* Montana State’s 3-0 start in the Big Sky is its best since 2002, when the team started 5-0
STREAKS
* MSU has hit at least five treys in all 16 games this year
* The Bobcats have won four straight home games
* Montana State’s three-game league winning streak is its longest since the championship season of 2002
NOTEWORTHY
* Montana State shot 38% at Montana last week, the team’s seventh game this season under 40%
* Mick Durham’s teams have six league road sweeps during his 15 seasons, the same number for which his four immediate predecessors combined from 1971-90
* The ‘Cats are in the top two in the league in scoring defense, field goal defense and blocked shots
* MSU has less than 10 turnovers in two of the last three games, with the overtime win at ISU the exception (19)
* Marvin Moss (1/10) and Ja’Ron Jefferson (1/17) are the last two Big Sky Players of the Week
THIS WEEK
From Bobcat Coach Mick Durham
On Sac State: “Sac State is similar to us, leaning on veterans while trying to blend in new players. DaShawn Freeman at the point, Alex Bausley inside, and Jameel Pugh and EJ Harris on the perimeter are their experienced players, and they have a nice addition in Jason Harris. This is a typical Sac State team, they play very hard and their defense gives you a lot of problems.” On NAU: “NAU has a lot of players that can score, and they have a lot of depth on the perimeter now that Stephen Sir is with them. NAU is a good three-point shooting team, which is usually the case, and they have the ability to score a lot of points.” On the Bobcats: “As we’ve been trying to get it together offensively we’ve played solid defense. We have a chance to be a better rebounding team as we continue to get healthy. We’re 3-0 (in the league), but we have to defend our home court. We have four games left in the first conference go-round, and I know the four teams we haven’t seen are very capable. It’s been a while since we’ve had a team this athletic with a number of different scoring options. They like playing, and they come to play every day. I think we still have room to grow and get better, and that’s our emphasis right now.”
SACRAMENTO STATE ROSTER
1 EJ Harris, G 6-3 190 Sr Los Angeles, CA
2 Jameel Pugh, G/F 6-5 225 Sr Sacramento, CA
4 Randy Adams, F 6-8 220 Fr Moreno Valley, CA
10 Schuyler McKay, G 6-5 205 Fr Los Angeles, CA
11 Aaron Perry, F 6-8 205 Jr Detroit, MI
12 James Gilzene, G/F 6-6 200 Fr Los Angeles, CA
20 DaShawn Freeman, G 5-11 170 Jr Oakland, CA
22 Jason Harris, G/F 6-4 210 Jr Henderson, TX
33 Alex Bausley, F 6-6 235 So Los Angeles, CA
35 Davon Roberts, F 6-6 205 Fr Covina, CA
44 Chris Lange, F 6-8 220 Jr Albuquerque, NM
50 Zane Beekman, C 6-9 235 Jr Lewistown, IL
HEAD COACH: Jerome Jenkins
NOTING THE HORNETS
Sacramento State won its two home games last weekend, beating Idaho State (61-59) and Weber State (78-72)... the Hornets are 2-2 in the league, 5-11 overall... Sac State has won on their last two trips to Bozeman, including last year’s Senior Day game... this year’s Hornets team is second in the league in three-point defense... newcomer Jason Harris averages 16.1 points a game, fourth in the league
NORTHERN ARIZONA ROSTER
1 Ceddric Hill, G 6-2 175 Fr Littleton, CO
10 Matt Lyon, G 6-0 165 So Prescott Valley, AZ
14 Matt Refner, G 6-6 180 Fr Chandler, AZ
20 Stephen Garnett, F 6-4 195 Sr Winslow, AZ
21 Grant Fossum, G 6-1 192 Fr Plymouth, MN
22 Stephen Sir, F 6-6 205 Jr Edmonton, Alberta
23 DeJuan Stevens, G 6-3 195 Jr Los Angeles, CA
25 Ryan McCurdy, F 6-10 210 Fr Gilbert, AZ
31 Clyde Hooks, F 6-7 200 Jr Chicago, IL
32 Kelly Golob, G 6-5 197 Jr Olympia, WA
33 Kyle Landry, F 6-9 205 Jr Calgary, Alberta
34 Kyle Feuerbach, G 6-0 190 Sr Phoenix, AZ
41 Ruben Boykin Jr., F 6-7 210 So Los Angeles, CA
42 Will Hensley, F 6-7 225 Fr Midlothian, TX
52 Paul Meynen, C 7-0 255 So Torrance, CA
HEAD COACH: Mike Adras
NOTING THE LUMBERJACKS
The Lumberjacks lead the Big Sky in three-point shooting, hitting 39.2% of their long-range bombs, and are second to the ‘Cats with 7.4 three-pointers a game... Kyle Fuerbach shoots 45.5% from beyond the three-point circle, second-best in the league, and hits 2.9 treys a game, the best mark in the Big Sky
BOBCAT RESULTS
N19 at Washington State L 42-59
N22 Southern Methodist L 61-69ot
N24 at San Jose State L 64-65
D2 Utah Valley State W 61-45
D4 Wyoming at Billings L 70-71
D7 at Colorado State L 53-78
D11 Wisconsin-Green Bay L 70-75
D17 MSU-Northern W 81-70
D19 Northern Colorado W 87-75
D21 San Jose State W 72-59
D23 at Utah Valley State L 60-80
D29 Montana Tech W 75-44
J2 at Nebraska L 45-78
J6 at Weber State W 76-67
J8 at Idaho State W 74-66ot
J15 at Montana W 62-60
J20 Sacramento State 7:05 pm
J22 Northern Arizona 7:05 pm
J27 at Eastern Washington 8:05 pm
J29 at Portland State 8:05 pm
F3 Idaho State 7:05 pm
F5 Weber State 7:05 pm
F13 Montana 2:05 pm
F17 at Northern Arizona 7:05 pm
F19 at Sacramento State 8:05 pm
F24 Portland State 7:05 pm
F26 Eastern Washington 7:05 pm
ONE-LINERS
On the Offense...
Montana State has shot 50% from the field five times this season, including the first two league games, but has been held below 40% seven times... the Bobcats shot 72% at Montana, the first time in six games the Bobcats have been over 70%... while Al Beye and Dennis Woodall are shooting 24% (6-for-26) from the line, the rest of the team is 69% (143-for-209)... the Bobcats averaged 17.7 turnovers a game in the first seven outings, but have reduced the season average to 15.2.
On the Defense...
Only CSU and UWGB -- in back-to-back games -- have shot better than 50% against the ‘Cats... the Bobcats are second in the Big Sky in field goal defense at 42%... MSU’s first four opponents made only 18 three-pointers... Wisconsin-Green Bay hit only three triples... the ‘Cats have averaged 4.1 blocks a game since Al Beye joined the starting lineup... the Bobcats have 40 steals in the last five games... MSU’s two 20-turnover games came against Washington State of the Pac 10 and Nebraska of the Big 12.
Lineup Notes
Montana State used five different starting lineups in the team’s 13-game non-conference schedule, but has started each of the three league games the same way... the longest stretch with the same starting lineup this year is four games... Nick Dissly, who missed the NU game, was the last player to start every game at the same position... Branden Miller and Marvin Moss are the only Bobcats to start each game... MSU has used four different starting centers... two different Bobcats have started at at both guard positions... MSU is 8-6 since Ja’Ron Jefferson joined the starting lineup.
#3 Casey Durham, G
Made his only start at Nebraska... had his 13-game three-point streak snapped at Montana... fourth in the Big Sky in three-point percentage (.412), ninth in three-pointers per game (1.75)... posted career scoring highs in back-to-back games (MSU-Northern and UNC)... second on the team with 28 three-point field goals and 68 attempts... hit a huge triple in overtime at ISU
#4 Branden Miller, G
Montana State’s leading scorer (13.1) and assist man (3.6)... 124 of his 196 field goal attempts (62%) are from outside the circle... either scored (10) or assisted on (5) 15 of MSU’s 28 baskets against UWGB, getting 25 points, seven boards, and five assists in that game... matched his career-high with seven boards at Nebraska... 6th in the Big Sky in scoring, 7th in assists, 12th in steals (1.3), 4th in three-pointers (2.4)
#5 Dennis Woodall, F
Started four straight non-conference games... scored 17 points as a starter in a three-game stretch against UWGB/MSUN/UNC, 12 points in the six games before that... had his first two-steal game against Northern... shooting 35% from the field, 39% from the line... played 21 minutes at Idaho State
#12 Ryan Holmes, G
Didn’t play at Montana... saw season-high 17 minutes at Nebraska... scored his first two points on a pair of free throws against Northern, and hit his first field goal against UNC... 6-for-24 from the field this year... has six assists
#20 Carson Durr, F
A versatile perimeter player... hit a big jumper in the second half against Idaho State, and has baskets in three of the last five games after a seven-game drought... hasn’t hit a three in the last 14 outings... season-high three boards in back-to-back games (Tech/Nebr)... a good defender and passer
#22 Nick Dissly, F
Missed the NU game with an ankle injury... hit 39 threes last year, the second-best freshman season in school history... had his first multiple-trey game at Montana in his last five games... was 4-for-7 from the arc against UVSC, but in the other eight games is 15-for-57... had a season-high six assists against Wyoming... had three steals against Green Bay... 8th in the Big Sky in assists (2.8)
#23 Ja’Ron Jefferson, G
Earned Big Sky POW honors for hitting the game-winner and throwing down 25 at UM... averaging 14 points as a starter... had 25 against UM and MSU-Northern... 1-for-8 shooting in the first two games, 58-for-110 since... had five steals against UM... has led the ‘Cats in scoring four times... has 13 steals in the last five games, and is now fifth in the league (1.6)
#33 Taylor Pratt, F
Had a string of six straight games with at least one blocked shot snapped at Nebraska, and now has only one block in the last four games... leads the team with 20 blocked shots... netted his first field goal against UVSC at home, but has only two in the last seven games... blocked four shots against MSUN, with career-high eight boards
#42 Marvin Moss, F
Leads the team in boards (7.0), second in scoring (12.8)... shooting 35-for-65 (54%) in the last six games... has led the Bobcats in rebounds in 14 of the 16 games... has two double-doubles, and one other game with double-digit rebounds... Big Sky POW 1/10
#52 Matt Towsley, C
Returned for the first conference weekend after missing seven straight (back)... had at least four boards in the first three games, but only 10 in the last 10... blocked two Weber State shots... had six blocks in the first three games, but only four since... shooting just 37% from the floor
#55 Al Beye, C
Missed the first nine games with a knee injuiry... made his Bobcat debut with eight points and six boards in the home win over San Jose State... followed that with 14 points, nine boards, and four blocks at Utah Valley... leads the team in shooting (63%)... second on the team with 16 blocks in just six games, and in rebounds (5.0)
Off to its second 3-0 start in Big Sky play in the last four seasons, Montana State returns home for its first league homestand of the season. The Bobcats host Sacramento State on Thursday and Northern Arizona on Saturday, a pair of opponents on two-game winning streaks. Sacramento State has beaten the ‘Cats four straight times, two in a row in Bozeman, while NAU has won two of the last three against MSU.
GAME FACTS
TIP vs SAC 7:05 pm MST
SITE Bozeman
ARENA Worthington Arena
RADIO Bobcat Network/Kris Atteberry
TV none
TIP vs NAU 7:05 pm MST
SITE Bozeman
ARENA Worthington Arena
RADIO Bobcat Network/Kris Atteberry
TV Omega TV
HIGHLIGHTS
* Mick Durham is the first Bobcat coach to win four times in Missoula since Roger Craft (5) in the 1960s
* Montana State’s 3-0 start in the Big Sky is its best since 2002, when the team started 5-0
STREAKS
* MSU has hit at least five treys in all 16 games this year
* The Bobcats have won four straight home games
* Montana State’s three-game league winning streak is its longest since the championship season of 2002
NOTEWORTHY
* Montana State shot 38% at Montana last week, the team’s seventh game this season under 40%
* Mick Durham’s teams have six league road sweeps during his 15 seasons, the same number for which his four immediate predecessors combined from 1971-90
* The ‘Cats are in the top two in the league in scoring defense, field goal defense and blocked shots
* MSU has less than 10 turnovers in two of the last three games, with the overtime win at ISU the exception (19)
* Marvin Moss (1/10) and Ja’Ron Jefferson (1/17) are the last two Big Sky Players of the Week
THIS WEEK
From Bobcat Coach Mick Durham
On Sac State: “Sac State is similar to us, leaning on veterans while trying to blend in new players. DaShawn Freeman at the point, Alex Bausley inside, and Jameel Pugh and EJ Harris on the perimeter are their experienced players, and they have a nice addition in Jason Harris. This is a typical Sac State team, they play very hard and their defense gives you a lot of problems.” On NAU: “NAU has a lot of players that can score, and they have a lot of depth on the perimeter now that Stephen Sir is with them. NAU is a good three-point shooting team, which is usually the case, and they have the ability to score a lot of points.” On the Bobcats: “As we’ve been trying to get it together offensively we’ve played solid defense. We have a chance to be a better rebounding team as we continue to get healthy. We’re 3-0 (in the league), but we have to defend our home court. We have four games left in the first conference go-round, and I know the four teams we haven’t seen are very capable. It’s been a while since we’ve had a team this athletic with a number of different scoring options. They like playing, and they come to play every day. I think we still have room to grow and get better, and that’s our emphasis right now.”
SACRAMENTO STATE ROSTER
1 EJ Harris, G 6-3 190 Sr Los Angeles, CA
2 Jameel Pugh, G/F 6-5 225 Sr Sacramento, CA
4 Randy Adams, F 6-8 220 Fr Moreno Valley, CA
10 Schuyler McKay, G 6-5 205 Fr Los Angeles, CA
11 Aaron Perry, F 6-8 205 Jr Detroit, MI
12 James Gilzene, G/F 6-6 200 Fr Los Angeles, CA
20 DaShawn Freeman, G 5-11 170 Jr Oakland, CA
22 Jason Harris, G/F 6-4 210 Jr Henderson, TX
33 Alex Bausley, F 6-6 235 So Los Angeles, CA
35 Davon Roberts, F 6-6 205 Fr Covina, CA
44 Chris Lange, F 6-8 220 Jr Albuquerque, NM
50 Zane Beekman, C 6-9 235 Jr Lewistown, IL
HEAD COACH: Jerome Jenkins
NOTING THE HORNETS
Sacramento State won its two home games last weekend, beating Idaho State (61-59) and Weber State (78-72)... the Hornets are 2-2 in the league, 5-11 overall... Sac State has won on their last two trips to Bozeman, including last year’s Senior Day game... this year’s Hornets team is second in the league in three-point defense... newcomer Jason Harris averages 16.1 points a game, fourth in the league
NORTHERN ARIZONA ROSTER
1 Ceddric Hill, G 6-2 175 Fr Littleton, CO
10 Matt Lyon, G 6-0 165 So Prescott Valley, AZ
14 Matt Refner, G 6-6 180 Fr Chandler, AZ
20 Stephen Garnett, F 6-4 195 Sr Winslow, AZ
21 Grant Fossum, G 6-1 192 Fr Plymouth, MN
22 Stephen Sir, F 6-6 205 Jr Edmonton, Alberta
23 DeJuan Stevens, G 6-3 195 Jr Los Angeles, CA
25 Ryan McCurdy, F 6-10 210 Fr Gilbert, AZ
31 Clyde Hooks, F 6-7 200 Jr Chicago, IL
32 Kelly Golob, G 6-5 197 Jr Olympia, WA
33 Kyle Landry, F 6-9 205 Jr Calgary, Alberta
34 Kyle Feuerbach, G 6-0 190 Sr Phoenix, AZ
41 Ruben Boykin Jr., F 6-7 210 So Los Angeles, CA
42 Will Hensley, F 6-7 225 Fr Midlothian, TX
52 Paul Meynen, C 7-0 255 So Torrance, CA
HEAD COACH: Mike Adras
NOTING THE LUMBERJACKS
The Lumberjacks lead the Big Sky in three-point shooting, hitting 39.2% of their long-range bombs, and are second to the ‘Cats with 7.4 three-pointers a game... Kyle Fuerbach shoots 45.5% from beyond the three-point circle, second-best in the league, and hits 2.9 treys a game, the best mark in the Big Sky
BOBCAT RESULTS
N19 at Washington State L 42-59
N22 Southern Methodist L 61-69ot
N24 at San Jose State L 64-65
D2 Utah Valley State W 61-45
D4 Wyoming at Billings L 70-71
D7 at Colorado State L 53-78
D11 Wisconsin-Green Bay L 70-75
D17 MSU-Northern W 81-70
D19 Northern Colorado W 87-75
D21 San Jose State W 72-59
D23 at Utah Valley State L 60-80
D29 Montana Tech W 75-44
J2 at Nebraska L 45-78
J6 at Weber State W 76-67
J8 at Idaho State W 74-66ot
J15 at Montana W 62-60
J20 Sacramento State 7:05 pm
J22 Northern Arizona 7:05 pm
J27 at Eastern Washington 8:05 pm
J29 at Portland State 8:05 pm
F3 Idaho State 7:05 pm
F5 Weber State 7:05 pm
F13 Montana 2:05 pm
F17 at Northern Arizona 7:05 pm
F19 at Sacramento State 8:05 pm
F24 Portland State 7:05 pm
F26 Eastern Washington 7:05 pm
ONE-LINERS
On the Offense...
Montana State has shot 50% from the field five times this season, including the first two league games, but has been held below 40% seven times... the Bobcats shot 72% at Montana, the first time in six games the Bobcats have been over 70%... while Al Beye and Dennis Woodall are shooting 24% (6-for-26) from the line, the rest of the team is 69% (143-for-209)... the Bobcats averaged 17.7 turnovers a game in the first seven outings, but have reduced the season average to 15.2.
On the Defense...
Only CSU and UWGB -- in back-to-back games -- have shot better than 50% against the ‘Cats... the Bobcats are second in the Big Sky in field goal defense at 42%... MSU’s first four opponents made only 18 three-pointers... Wisconsin-Green Bay hit only three triples... the ‘Cats have averaged 4.1 blocks a game since Al Beye joined the starting lineup... the Bobcats have 40 steals in the last five games... MSU’s two 20-turnover games came against Washington State of the Pac 10 and Nebraska of the Big 12.
Lineup Notes
Montana State used five different starting lineups in the team’s 13-game non-conference schedule, but has started each of the three league games the same way... the longest stretch with the same starting lineup this year is four games... Nick Dissly, who missed the NU game, was the last player to start every game at the same position... Branden Miller and Marvin Moss are the only Bobcats to start each game... MSU has used four different starting centers... two different Bobcats have started at at both guard positions... MSU is 8-6 since Ja’Ron Jefferson joined the starting lineup.
#3 Casey Durham, G
Made his only start at Nebraska... had his 13-game three-point streak snapped at Montana... fourth in the Big Sky in three-point percentage (.412), ninth in three-pointers per game (1.75)... posted career scoring highs in back-to-back games (MSU-Northern and UNC)... second on the team with 28 three-point field goals and 68 attempts... hit a huge triple in overtime at ISU
#4 Branden Miller, G
Montana State’s leading scorer (13.1) and assist man (3.6)... 124 of his 196 field goal attempts (62%) are from outside the circle... either scored (10) or assisted on (5) 15 of MSU’s 28 baskets against UWGB, getting 25 points, seven boards, and five assists in that game... matched his career-high with seven boards at Nebraska... 6th in the Big Sky in scoring, 7th in assists, 12th in steals (1.3), 4th in three-pointers (2.4)
#5 Dennis Woodall, F
Started four straight non-conference games... scored 17 points as a starter in a three-game stretch against UWGB/MSUN/UNC, 12 points in the six games before that... had his first two-steal game against Northern... shooting 35% from the field, 39% from the line... played 21 minutes at Idaho State
#12 Ryan Holmes, G
Didn’t play at Montana... saw season-high 17 minutes at Nebraska... scored his first two points on a pair of free throws against Northern, and hit his first field goal against UNC... 6-for-24 from the field this year... has six assists
#20 Carson Durr, F
A versatile perimeter player... hit a big jumper in the second half against Idaho State, and has baskets in three of the last five games after a seven-game drought... hasn’t hit a three in the last 14 outings... season-high three boards in back-to-back games (Tech/Nebr)... a good defender and passer
#22 Nick Dissly, F
Missed the NU game with an ankle injury... hit 39 threes last year, the second-best freshman season in school history... had his first multiple-trey game at Montana in his last five games... was 4-for-7 from the arc against UVSC, but in the other eight games is 15-for-57... had a season-high six assists against Wyoming... had three steals against Green Bay... 8th in the Big Sky in assists (2.8)
#23 Ja’Ron Jefferson, G
Earned Big Sky POW honors for hitting the game-winner and throwing down 25 at UM... averaging 14 points as a starter... had 25 against UM and MSU-Northern... 1-for-8 shooting in the first two games, 58-for-110 since... had five steals against UM... has led the ‘Cats in scoring four times... has 13 steals in the last five games, and is now fifth in the league (1.6)
#33 Taylor Pratt, F
Had a string of six straight games with at least one blocked shot snapped at Nebraska, and now has only one block in the last four games... leads the team with 20 blocked shots... netted his first field goal against UVSC at home, but has only two in the last seven games... blocked four shots against MSUN, with career-high eight boards
#42 Marvin Moss, F
Leads the team in boards (7.0), second in scoring (12.8)... shooting 35-for-65 (54%) in the last six games... has led the Bobcats in rebounds in 14 of the 16 games... has two double-doubles, and one other game with double-digit rebounds... Big Sky POW 1/10
#52 Matt Towsley, C
Returned for the first conference weekend after missing seven straight (back)... had at least four boards in the first three games, but only 10 in the last 10... blocked two Weber State shots... had six blocks in the first three games, but only four since... shooting just 37% from the floor
#55 Al Beye, C
Missed the first nine games with a knee injuiry... made his Bobcat debut with eight points and six boards in the home win over San Jose State... followed that with 14 points, nine boards, and four blocks at Utah Valley... leads the team in shooting (63%)... second on the team with 16 blocks in just six games, and in rebounds (5.0)
Wednesday, June 10
Friday, March 27
Monday, March 23
Friday, March 13
