Bobcats Top Eastern for Second
2/26/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Mick Durham knew it was coming.
Montana State parlayed its best shooting night of the season and an outstanding defensive effort Saturday to beat Eastern Washington 85-61 and clinch the second seed in the upcoming Big Sky Tournament.
"I've been saying that we haven't played our best basketball yet," said Montana State's 15th-year head coach, who has led the team to the second seed in the Big Sky tourney for the first time in school history. "I thought this was the best game we've played on both ends of the court all season. We shared the basketball, defended well, seemed determined. I was hoping we could put a game like this together, and what a great time to do it."
The Bobcats' 54.9% field goal effort was second-best on the season, but the 11-for-23 three-point shooting (48%) and 18-for-21 free throw night (86%) were both the best rate of the season by a comfortable margin. The Bobcats also held Eastern to 36% shooting, and outrebunded the Eagles 39-to-29.
"Eastern Washington is a good team and they've had our number lately," Durham said of an Eastern program that had won six straight against the Bobcats. "I think it was important to get over that Eastern Washington thing, maybe more for me than the players."
The players put together an outstanding effort, especially backcourt-mates Branden Miller and Ja'Ron Jefferson. Miller scored 24 points and shot over 50% for the first time in 13 games, while Jefferson was 13-for-13 from the line for 22 points. The two combined for 13 rebounds and were 6-for-10 from three-point range.
"I thought Branden Miller seemed relaxed," Durham said. "He played well, Ja'Ron Jefferson played well, and the main three off the bench."
All five of MSU's starters shot at least 50% from the floor, and all but Al Beye scored in double-digits. Ja'Ron Jefferson hit all 13 of his free throws, the most a Bobcat has ever hit in a game without a miss.
With the win, MSU clinches second place in the Big Sky and will not have to play a first-round tourney game next Saturday. The Bobcats will play next on Tuesday, March 8, although the opponent won't be determined until after Saturday's games. Third-seeded Montana hosts either NAU or Eastern Washington, while fifth-seeded Weber State travels to fourth-seeded Sacramento State.
Montana State parlayed its best shooting night of the season and an outstanding defensive effort Saturday to beat Eastern Washington 85-61 and clinch the second seed in the upcoming Big Sky Tournament.
"I've been saying that we haven't played our best basketball yet," said Montana State's 15th-year head coach, who has led the team to the second seed in the Big Sky tourney for the first time in school history. "I thought this was the best game we've played on both ends of the court all season. We shared the basketball, defended well, seemed determined. I was hoping we could put a game like this together, and what a great time to do it."
The Bobcats' 54.9% field goal effort was second-best on the season, but the 11-for-23 three-point shooting (48%) and 18-for-21 free throw night (86%) were both the best rate of the season by a comfortable margin. The Bobcats also held Eastern to 36% shooting, and outrebunded the Eagles 39-to-29.
"Eastern Washington is a good team and they've had our number lately," Durham said of an Eastern program that had won six straight against the Bobcats. "I think it was important to get over that Eastern Washington thing, maybe more for me than the players."
The players put together an outstanding effort, especially backcourt-mates Branden Miller and Ja'Ron Jefferson. Miller scored 24 points and shot over 50% for the first time in 13 games, while Jefferson was 13-for-13 from the line for 22 points. The two combined for 13 rebounds and were 6-for-10 from three-point range.
"I thought Branden Miller seemed relaxed," Durham said. "He played well, Ja'Ron Jefferson played well, and the main three off the bench."
All five of MSU's starters shot at least 50% from the floor, and all but Al Beye scored in double-digits. Ja'Ron Jefferson hit all 13 of his free throws, the most a Bobcat has ever hit in a game without a miss.
With the win, MSU clinches second place in the Big Sky and will not have to play a first-round tourney game next Saturday. The Bobcats will play next on Tuesday, March 8, although the opponent won't be determined until after Saturday's games. Third-seeded Montana hosts either NAU or Eastern Washington, while fifth-seeded Weber State travels to fourth-seeded Sacramento State.
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