Bobcats Battle Back for Win Over Long Beach
11/13/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Playing with what Brad Huse called "better energy and execution," Montana State exploded for 42 points on 63% shooting in the second half on its way to a 74-56 win over Long Beach State in the Bobcats' home opener on Tuesday.
MSU expended much of its energy on the defensive end after the intermission, holding a hot-shooting 49er team that hit 64% of its shots in the first half to 31% after the break. Adrian Zamora played his best game as a Bobcat, getting 10 points and 11 rebounds. Divaldo Mbunga added 14 points and nine boards, while Casey Durham led all scorers with 19 points.
"Our energy level was not where I'd like to see it in the first half," Huse said. "At the same time, I thought (Long Beach) did a great job executing their stuff. They were very solid. But I like how we grinded it out tonight. We didn't panic when things didn't go well early, and we showed we're not going to go away."
Long Beach scored the game's first seven points, and stretched its lead to 34-23 with 3:39 to play in the first half. MSU outscored the Niners 9-3 in the final minutes of the first half, then scored the first four points of the second half. The Bobcats took the lead on a jumper by Mecklen Davis, then Casey Durham followed a Brandon Johnson three-pointer with a three-pointer to give MSU the lead for good at 16:19.
"I think (Durham is) trying to feel out when to shoot, when not to shoot. He has to be part of the offense, because he doesn't have the luxury of a lot of explosive players around him."
Durham's three-pointer triggered an 8-0 MSU run, and after a Brian Freeman layup and a free throw by Donovan Morris MSU sealed the win with another 8-0 run, capped by Davis' layup at 8:20 to give MSU a 57-46 lead.
For the second straight game, Montana State won the rebound battle. The Bobcats outrebounded Long Beach State 33-to-23, and in spite of LBSU's torrid first half the Bobcats limited the 49ers to 46% from the floor for the game and only 24% from three-point range. MSU shot 55% overall, including 8-for-20 from beyond the arc. The starting backcourt of Durham and Carlos Taylor combined to shoot 13-for-20 from the field and 6-for-10 from three-point range.
Montana State hosts Boise State at 8:05 pm Friday night in Worthington Arena.
MSU expended much of its energy on the defensive end after the intermission, holding a hot-shooting 49er team that hit 64% of its shots in the first half to 31% after the break. Adrian Zamora played his best game as a Bobcat, getting 10 points and 11 rebounds. Divaldo Mbunga added 14 points and nine boards, while Casey Durham led all scorers with 19 points.
"Our energy level was not where I'd like to see it in the first half," Huse said. "At the same time, I thought (Long Beach) did a great job executing their stuff. They were very solid. But I like how we grinded it out tonight. We didn't panic when things didn't go well early, and we showed we're not going to go away."
Long Beach scored the game's first seven points, and stretched its lead to 34-23 with 3:39 to play in the first half. MSU outscored the Niners 9-3 in the final minutes of the first half, then scored the first four points of the second half. The Bobcats took the lead on a jumper by Mecklen Davis, then Casey Durham followed a Brandon Johnson three-pointer with a three-pointer to give MSU the lead for good at 16:19.
"I think (Durham is) trying to feel out when to shoot, when not to shoot. He has to be part of the offense, because he doesn't have the luxury of a lot of explosive players around him."
Durham's three-pointer triggered an 8-0 MSU run, and after a Brian Freeman layup and a free throw by Donovan Morris MSU sealed the win with another 8-0 run, capped by Davis' layup at 8:20 to give MSU a 57-46 lead.
For the second straight game, Montana State won the rebound battle. The Bobcats outrebounded Long Beach State 33-to-23, and in spite of LBSU's torrid first half the Bobcats limited the 49ers to 46% from the floor for the game and only 24% from three-point range. MSU shot 55% overall, including 8-for-20 from beyond the arc. The starting backcourt of Durham and Carlos Taylor combined to shoot 13-for-20 from the field and 6-for-10 from three-point range.
Montana State hosts Boise State at 8:05 pm Friday night in Worthington Arena.
Wednesday, June 10
Friday, March 27
Monday, March 23
Friday, March 13
