Bobcats Topple ISU
2/3/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Nick Dissly scored all 18 of his points in the second half, including back-to-back three-pointers that snapped MSU out of an ice-cold shooting performance, leading Montana State to a 71-54 win over Idaho State on Thursday.
For 30 minutes, the game was anything but a blowout. MSU led by just two points with 10:51 to play when Dissly hit a jumper to increase the Bobcat lead to 45-41. After an Idaho State basket, Dissly converted four straight free throws, then changed the game with steals on consecutive possessions, one which he converted with a breakaway dunk and one which ended on a Branden Miller three-pointer.
"That was neat for Nick," said Bobcat coach Mick Durham. "We've been waiting for him to explode. For him to come out and score 15 points in the last 15 minutes of the game was huge."
Dissly finished with 18 points, three rebounds, three assists, and four steals to lead the Bobcats. Al Beye and Ja'Ron Jefferson each had a dozen points, while Branden Miller had 10. The Bobcats held Idaho State to 36% shooting, including 29% in the second half, and limited the Bengals to just 24 points after halftime.
"Our defense won it for us," Durham said. "Our defense was terrific."
So was Idaho State's. The Bengals forced a season-high 24 Bobcat turnovers, 14 in the first half, and kept MSU off-balance for the first 25 minutes of the game with a variety of traps and pressures. "They didn't play the zone against us in Pocatello," Beye said. "In the second half we handled their zone better and got it going."
Dissly's offensive fireworks keyed the decisive second-half run, a 19-2 outburst. The Bengals weren't able to draw closer than 16 the rest of the way.
Montana State raised its overall record to 11-10, with a 6-2 league mark. The 'Cats remain a half-game back of Portland State, which won at NAU on Thursday. Idaho State is now 8-13 overall, 2-6 in the Big Sky. MSU hosts Weber State on Saturday, while the Bengals travel to Missoula to face Montana.
For 30 minutes, the game was anything but a blowout. MSU led by just two points with 10:51 to play when Dissly hit a jumper to increase the Bobcat lead to 45-41. After an Idaho State basket, Dissly converted four straight free throws, then changed the game with steals on consecutive possessions, one which he converted with a breakaway dunk and one which ended on a Branden Miller three-pointer.
"That was neat for Nick," said Bobcat coach Mick Durham. "We've been waiting for him to explode. For him to come out and score 15 points in the last 15 minutes of the game was huge."
Dissly finished with 18 points, three rebounds, three assists, and four steals to lead the Bobcats. Al Beye and Ja'Ron Jefferson each had a dozen points, while Branden Miller had 10. The Bobcats held Idaho State to 36% shooting, including 29% in the second half, and limited the Bengals to just 24 points after halftime.
"Our defense won it for us," Durham said. "Our defense was terrific."
So was Idaho State's. The Bengals forced a season-high 24 Bobcat turnovers, 14 in the first half, and kept MSU off-balance for the first 25 minutes of the game with a variety of traps and pressures. "They didn't play the zone against us in Pocatello," Beye said. "In the second half we handled their zone better and got it going."
Dissly's offensive fireworks keyed the decisive second-half run, a 19-2 outburst. The Bengals weren't able to draw closer than 16 the rest of the way.
Montana State raised its overall record to 11-10, with a 6-2 league mark. The 'Cats remain a half-game back of Portland State, which won at NAU on Thursday. Idaho State is now 8-13 overall, 2-6 in the Big Sky. MSU hosts Weber State on Saturday, while the Bengals travel to Missoula to face Montana.
Wednesday, June 10
Friday, March 27
Monday, March 23
Friday, March 13
