Bobcats Fall in Overtime to NAU
2/25/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
In a game featuring post-season intensity, Northern Arizona outscored Montana State 18-10 in the overtime period to earn a 92-84 win over the Bobcats Sunday afternoon.
Josh Wilson hit three free throws 55 seconds into the overtime period and NAU converted all 12 of its extra time charity tosses. The Lumberjacks shot 85% (23-for-27) from the line, while MSU shot just 20-for-34 (59%). "It's frustrating when they don't drop," said Bobcat coach Brad Huse. "They were making theirs. That was the difference in the basketball, probably, but at the same time we had a chance to win it."
MSU's chance to win came near the end of a heart-stopping second half. Carson Durr hit a three-pointer with 33 seconds to play to give MSU a 74-72 lead, then Kyle Landry snapped a 9-0 Bobcat run covering two-and-a-half minutes with a short jumper to tie the game with 14 seconds left. Carlos Taylor's jumper from the left wing was no good, and the game went to overtime.
That MSU would even have a chance to win seemed unlikely with 2:49 to play. Lumberjack marksman Stephen Sir hit a three-pointer to extend Northern Arizona's lead to seven. But, Carson Durr answered with a three of his own to cut the lead to four 20 seconds later, then Carlos Taylor nailed a pair of free throws to bring MSU within two. Nick Dissly cut that lead in half by making one of two from the line with 1:20 to play, and a block by Dissly on the ensuing possession set up the wild finish to regulation.
"Our kids fought, they didn't back down a notch," Huse said, "and it easily could have gone our way. It's a credit to them, coming in and winning. They're a veteran team, but I think (the game) shows a lot about our kids and how far we've come."
Mecklen Davis and NAU's Tyrone Bazy led all scorers with 21 points each. "Look how far Mecklen's come this year. Look back to the fall and I don't think anyone around thought he was going to fit our plans much. But he's an important piece of what we're doing coming down the stretch, and he epitomizes what all our guys are about."
MSU's three seniors each had Senior Nights to remember. Dissly scored 16 points with eight assists and two blocked shots, six of Durr's seven points came on three-pointers in the last three minutes that spurred MSU's comeback, and Ted Morris had 15 points and 10 boards. "Our seniors played great," Huse said.
Northern Arizona's win leaves the Lumberjacks one home win over last-place Northern Colorado from locking up the coveted second seed heading into the Big Sky Conference Tournament. That second seed gives NAU a bye to the four-team portion of the event March 6-7 in Ogden, Utah. MSU is now 11-17 overall, 8-7 in conference play, while NAU is 16-11, 10-5.
The Bobcats play Portland State next Saturday in the tourney's first round, but won't know where until after league games Monday and Tuesday. An MSU win paired with wins by NAU (over UNC) and Weber State (over Sac State), or wins by Weber State and UNC, gives Montana State the fourth seed and a home game in the play-in round on Saturday. Any other scenario sends MSU to Portland. "I'm an engineering major and I can't figure it out," Huse said with a laugh of the jumbled tournament picture, below Weber State and NAU. "But it's all in the back of our minds, and I don't think either team concerned itself with the positioning tonight. It was a great game. Unfortunately, we didn't come out on top."
Regardless, Huse appreciated his team's effort on Sunday. "Our guys battled," he said. I love how they competed. We gave them everything they bargained for, and NAU beat us."
Josh Wilson hit three free throws 55 seconds into the overtime period and NAU converted all 12 of its extra time charity tosses. The Lumberjacks shot 85% (23-for-27) from the line, while MSU shot just 20-for-34 (59%). "It's frustrating when they don't drop," said Bobcat coach Brad Huse. "They were making theirs. That was the difference in the basketball, probably, but at the same time we had a chance to win it."
MSU's chance to win came near the end of a heart-stopping second half. Carson Durr hit a three-pointer with 33 seconds to play to give MSU a 74-72 lead, then Kyle Landry snapped a 9-0 Bobcat run covering two-and-a-half minutes with a short jumper to tie the game with 14 seconds left. Carlos Taylor's jumper from the left wing was no good, and the game went to overtime.
That MSU would even have a chance to win seemed unlikely with 2:49 to play. Lumberjack marksman Stephen Sir hit a three-pointer to extend Northern Arizona's lead to seven. But, Carson Durr answered with a three of his own to cut the lead to four 20 seconds later, then Carlos Taylor nailed a pair of free throws to bring MSU within two. Nick Dissly cut that lead in half by making one of two from the line with 1:20 to play, and a block by Dissly on the ensuing possession set up the wild finish to regulation.
"Our kids fought, they didn't back down a notch," Huse said, "and it easily could have gone our way. It's a credit to them, coming in and winning. They're a veteran team, but I think (the game) shows a lot about our kids and how far we've come."
Mecklen Davis and NAU's Tyrone Bazy led all scorers with 21 points each. "Look how far Mecklen's come this year. Look back to the fall and I don't think anyone around thought he was going to fit our plans much. But he's an important piece of what we're doing coming down the stretch, and he epitomizes what all our guys are about."
MSU's three seniors each had Senior Nights to remember. Dissly scored 16 points with eight assists and two blocked shots, six of Durr's seven points came on three-pointers in the last three minutes that spurred MSU's comeback, and Ted Morris had 15 points and 10 boards. "Our seniors played great," Huse said.
Northern Arizona's win leaves the Lumberjacks one home win over last-place Northern Colorado from locking up the coveted second seed heading into the Big Sky Conference Tournament. That second seed gives NAU a bye to the four-team portion of the event March 6-7 in Ogden, Utah. MSU is now 11-17 overall, 8-7 in conference play, while NAU is 16-11, 10-5.
The Bobcats play Portland State next Saturday in the tourney's first round, but won't know where until after league games Monday and Tuesday. An MSU win paired with wins by NAU (over UNC) and Weber State (over Sac State), or wins by Weber State and UNC, gives Montana State the fourth seed and a home game in the play-in round on Saturday. Any other scenario sends MSU to Portland. "I'm an engineering major and I can't figure it out," Huse said with a laugh of the jumbled tournament picture, below Weber State and NAU. "But it's all in the back of our minds, and I don't think either team concerned itself with the positioning tonight. It was a great game. Unfortunately, we didn't come out on top."
Regardless, Huse appreciated his team's effort on Sunday. "Our guys battled," he said. I love how they competed. We gave them everything they bargained for, and NAU beat us."
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