Reconfigured 'Cats Claim Win
12/19/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
No Branden Miller? No Ryan Holmes?
No problem.
On a day MSU officially lost its top two point guards, the Bobcats battled Portland's guards on even terms, enjoyed its largest rebounding margin of the year, and Casey Durham answered a clutch three-pointer with two seconds left with a half-court bomb at the buzzer for a 70-68 win.
"Like Coach (Mick Durham) said, we deserve that one," said the younger Durham, whose only field goal gave MSU the improbable win. Montana State had certainly lost its share of heartbreakers this year, including a 75-73 tilt at Wisconsin-Green Bay last week and a 69-66 thriller at Denver earlier in the year. Four of Montana State's six losses are by five points or less.
"We needed that win," said senior forward Marvin Moss, "no matter how it came."
The circumstances of Durham's game-winning shot seemed even more improbable given the day's turmoil. Ryan Holmes has not played in a couple of weeks, and Mick Durham announced Monday that Holmes has permanently left the squad. Also on Monday, the school declared Branden Miller academically ineligible, finishing the senior guard's Bobcat career.
"Before the game and then during the game was the best we've come together this year," Casey Durham said. "We've had some tough times, but it helps knowing who our go-to guys are. This was a wake-up call."
The team's main go-to guy answered the call Monday. Senior forward Marvin Moss carried the 'Cats early and finished with 18 points and six boards. Ja'Ron Jefferson, the other "go-to guy", fouled out with only eight points, but guard Derrick Edmonds, used sparingly with Miller and Holmes available, dropped in a cool 13 points on 5-for-9 shooting.
"I envisioned me hitting that (game-winning) shot," Edmonds said with a smile. "If it wasn't me, I knew somebody would."
The loss of MSU's two point guards -- Holmes started the team's first four games, while Miller started the last five, and each had served a one-game suspension for conduct detrimental to the team -- altered the rotation. Durham played most of the game at the point, while freshman Jacques Wilson was activated from his redshirt season and immediately contributed.
The loss of Holmes and Miller also altered the team's attitude. "It's no secret that Branden and I had battled all fall," he said. "I think the team will rally around the young freshman, Jacques Wilson, and will really respond.
Edmonds said something bigger than Durham's game-winner happened on Monday. "This team was called out," he said. "We had to step up, and we came through. We've had some tough times. This is a game where we wanted to get our foot in the door. This gives us confidence to go on."
No problem.
On a day MSU officially lost its top two point guards, the Bobcats battled Portland's guards on even terms, enjoyed its largest rebounding margin of the year, and Casey Durham answered a clutch three-pointer with two seconds left with a half-court bomb at the buzzer for a 70-68 win.
"Like Coach (Mick Durham) said, we deserve that one," said the younger Durham, whose only field goal gave MSU the improbable win. Montana State had certainly lost its share of heartbreakers this year, including a 75-73 tilt at Wisconsin-Green Bay last week and a 69-66 thriller at Denver earlier in the year. Four of Montana State's six losses are by five points or less.
"We needed that win," said senior forward Marvin Moss, "no matter how it came."
The circumstances of Durham's game-winning shot seemed even more improbable given the day's turmoil. Ryan Holmes has not played in a couple of weeks, and Mick Durham announced Monday that Holmes has permanently left the squad. Also on Monday, the school declared Branden Miller academically ineligible, finishing the senior guard's Bobcat career.
"Before the game and then during the game was the best we've come together this year," Casey Durham said. "We've had some tough times, but it helps knowing who our go-to guys are. This was a wake-up call."
The team's main go-to guy answered the call Monday. Senior forward Marvin Moss carried the 'Cats early and finished with 18 points and six boards. Ja'Ron Jefferson, the other "go-to guy", fouled out with only eight points, but guard Derrick Edmonds, used sparingly with Miller and Holmes available, dropped in a cool 13 points on 5-for-9 shooting.
"I envisioned me hitting that (game-winning) shot," Edmonds said with a smile. "If it wasn't me, I knew somebody would."
The loss of MSU's two point guards -- Holmes started the team's first four games, while Miller started the last five, and each had served a one-game suspension for conduct detrimental to the team -- altered the rotation. Durham played most of the game at the point, while freshman Jacques Wilson was activated from his redshirt season and immediately contributed.
The loss of Holmes and Miller also altered the team's attitude. "It's no secret that Branden and I had battled all fall," he said. "I think the team will rally around the young freshman, Jacques Wilson, and will really respond.
Edmonds said something bigger than Durham's game-winner happened on Monday. "This team was called out," he said. "We had to step up, and we came through. We've had some tough times. This is a game where we wanted to get our foot in the door. This gives us confidence to go on."
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