Bobcats Rally for Senior Night Win
2/27/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Al Beye boiled down the essence of Montana State's come-from-behind 75-70 Senior Night win over Sacramento State on Thursday.
"I can sleep well tonight," Montana State's senior center said with a smile after getting 16 points, seven boards, and two blocked shots that slid him into a tie for MSU's single-season record with 60. "It would be a terrible feeling to lose on Senior Night."
Through 31 minutes, a Bobcat loss seemed all but certain. Sacramento State led 56-44 after a pair Davon Roberts free throws. Reserve guard Jacques Wilson hit a three-pointer to cut the lead to single-digits, and after a Clark Woods layup Beye launched a 14-0 run with a spectacular ally-oop from Nick Dissly. Beye had seven points, two rebounds and a blocked shot in that 3:20 run.
"I thought in the last eight minutes we made a couple of extra passes," Mick Durham said. "Al kicked one out to Derrick, Marvin got a rebound and kick-out. When you play unselfish basketball, you usually get in a better rhythm yourself."
With sporadic contributions from seniors Ja'Ron Jefferson, who hadn't touched a basketball before Monday since the Idaho game nine days ago, and Marvin Moss, battling the flu, the Bobcat bench kept things afloat in the first half. Reserve center Ted Morris scored all 10 of his points and grabbed four of his six boards in the first half, highlighted by a two-hand dunk at 10:28 that kept MSU within single digits. Derrick Edmonds scored 16 points with five boards off the bench, as well.
"The last eight minutes of the first half was probably the key," Durham said. "Those guys that were on the floor the, Ted and Taylor (Pratt) and Derrick and Carson (Durr) and Jacques, they really kept us in it."
Following MSU's 14-0 run, the Hornets cut the lead to one on two occasions, the last on an Alex Bausley jumper at 4:16. Edmonds answered with a three-pointer at 3:45, then Beye dunked to give MSU a 66-60 lead. From that point forward, MSU hit five of its seven free throws and converted two layups by Jefferson and a tip-in by Beye to seal the win.
Junior guard Loren Leath exploded for 23 points to lead all players in scoring, while Clark Woods added 14. MSU held the Hornets' offensive leaders, Alex Bausley and DaShawn Freeman, to 10 points combined, something Durham knows is unlikely during the teams' Big Sky Conference Tournament rematch next Saturday. "We know Bausley and Freeman won't shoot like that when we see them again," Durham said. "This is a tough team. They'll be back, and they will come to play."
Tipoff for Saturday's Big Sky Tourney game is 2:35 MST.
"I can sleep well tonight," Montana State's senior center said with a smile after getting 16 points, seven boards, and two blocked shots that slid him into a tie for MSU's single-season record with 60. "It would be a terrible feeling to lose on Senior Night."
Through 31 minutes, a Bobcat loss seemed all but certain. Sacramento State led 56-44 after a pair Davon Roberts free throws. Reserve guard Jacques Wilson hit a three-pointer to cut the lead to single-digits, and after a Clark Woods layup Beye launched a 14-0 run with a spectacular ally-oop from Nick Dissly. Beye had seven points, two rebounds and a blocked shot in that 3:20 run.
"I thought in the last eight minutes we made a couple of extra passes," Mick Durham said. "Al kicked one out to Derrick, Marvin got a rebound and kick-out. When you play unselfish basketball, you usually get in a better rhythm yourself."
With sporadic contributions from seniors Ja'Ron Jefferson, who hadn't touched a basketball before Monday since the Idaho game nine days ago, and Marvin Moss, battling the flu, the Bobcat bench kept things afloat in the first half. Reserve center Ted Morris scored all 10 of his points and grabbed four of his six boards in the first half, highlighted by a two-hand dunk at 10:28 that kept MSU within single digits. Derrick Edmonds scored 16 points with five boards off the bench, as well.
"The last eight minutes of the first half was probably the key," Durham said. "Those guys that were on the floor the, Ted and Taylor (Pratt) and Derrick and Carson (Durr) and Jacques, they really kept us in it."
Following MSU's 14-0 run, the Hornets cut the lead to one on two occasions, the last on an Alex Bausley jumper at 4:16. Edmonds answered with a three-pointer at 3:45, then Beye dunked to give MSU a 66-60 lead. From that point forward, MSU hit five of its seven free throws and converted two layups by Jefferson and a tip-in by Beye to seal the win.
Junior guard Loren Leath exploded for 23 points to lead all players in scoring, while Clark Woods added 14. MSU held the Hornets' offensive leaders, Alex Bausley and DaShawn Freeman, to 10 points combined, something Durham knows is unlikely during the teams' Big Sky Conference Tournament rematch next Saturday. "We know Bausley and Freeman won't shoot like that when we see them again," Durham said. "This is a tough team. They'll be back, and they will come to play."
Tipoff for Saturday's Big Sky Tourney game is 2:35 MST.
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