Bobcats Top Mary in Exhibition Finale
11/10/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Montana State shot 56.5% from the field and seven players scored in double-digits as the Bobcats beat the University of Mary 101-69 in each school's exhibition finale Monday night in Bozeman.
The Bobcats used scoring runs at the end of each half to pull away from the Division II Marauders. MSU outscored Mary 17-10 in the last five minutes of the first half, and finished the game on a 16-4 run.
"I liked how we finished," Bobcat coach Brad Huse said. "It was frustrating at times. They took advantage of our mistakes, and they hit their threes. Overall, I was pleased with our energy."
Guard Erik Rush led the Bobcats in scoring for the second straight outing, ringing up 17 points on 6-for-9 shooting. Forward Branden Johnson added 16 points, while Will Bynum scored 14. Forward Bobby Howard and center Divaldo Mbunga each scored 12, Danny Piepoli 11, and Marquis Navarre 10 points. The Bobcats shot 56.7% in the first half, 56.3% in the second, and hit 10 of their 14 three-pointers.
Even with his team's impressive offensive performance, Huse credited a strong defensive stretch with building a comfortable working margin in the second half. "We extended our defense way out, and aggressive defense in the last five to six minutes of the first half got us a nice lead."
The Bobcats open regular season play by hosting five-time WAC Champion Nevada on Saturday night at 7:05 pm in Worthington Arena.
The Bobcats used scoring runs at the end of each half to pull away from the Division II Marauders. MSU outscored Mary 17-10 in the last five minutes of the first half, and finished the game on a 16-4 run.
"I liked how we finished," Bobcat coach Brad Huse said. "It was frustrating at times. They took advantage of our mistakes, and they hit their threes. Overall, I was pleased with our energy."
Guard Erik Rush led the Bobcats in scoring for the second straight outing, ringing up 17 points on 6-for-9 shooting. Forward Branden Johnson added 16 points, while Will Bynum scored 14. Forward Bobby Howard and center Divaldo Mbunga each scored 12, Danny Piepoli 11, and Marquis Navarre 10 points. The Bobcats shot 56.7% in the first half, 56.3% in the second, and hit 10 of their 14 three-pointers.
Even with his team's impressive offensive performance, Huse credited a strong defensive stretch with building a comfortable working margin in the second half. "We extended our defense way out, and aggressive defense in the last five to six minutes of the first half got us a nice lead."
The Bobcats open regular season play by hosting five-time WAC Champion Nevada on Saturday night at 7:05 pm in Worthington Arena.
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