Bobcats Fall in Rematch at Fullerton
12/22/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Montana State's 24 turnovers and Josh Akognen's hot shooting were too much for the Bobcats to overcome on Monday, as Cal State Fullerton topped MSU 88-80 in Titan Gym.
Akognen, who MSU held to 18 points in a 74-60 Bobcat win on December 9 to snap a string of eight games over 20 points, heated up with seven three-pointers in the second half on Tuesday. The nation's third-leading scorer finished with 29 points.
"That stretch of shots (Akognen) hit in the second half when they got separation was unbelievable," said MSU coach Brad Huse. "That was quite a show."
After the Bobcats tied Cal State Fullerton early in the second half, the Titans stretched the lead back to 15 spurred by Akognen's hot shooting. He hit six of his seven three-pointers in the first 10 minutes of the second half. But MSU's 14 first-half turnovers cost the team too many scoring opportunities in the first half.
"I think we lost the game in the first half against their pressure," Huse said. "They have good athletes, and they have played with good energy in this gym consistently. They forced those turnovers."
MSU shot a season-high 55% for the game, and out-rebounded Fullerton 37-to-19. Erik Rush led MSU with 20 points on 8-for-12 shooting. In addition to Akognen's 29 points, Jacques Streeter added 23 points.
Akognen, who MSU held to 18 points in a 74-60 Bobcat win on December 9 to snap a string of eight games over 20 points, heated up with seven three-pointers in the second half on Tuesday. The nation's third-leading scorer finished with 29 points.
"That stretch of shots (Akognen) hit in the second half when they got separation was unbelievable," said MSU coach Brad Huse. "That was quite a show."
After the Bobcats tied Cal State Fullerton early in the second half, the Titans stretched the lead back to 15 spurred by Akognen's hot shooting. He hit six of his seven three-pointers in the first 10 minutes of the second half. But MSU's 14 first-half turnovers cost the team too many scoring opportunities in the first half.
"I think we lost the game in the first half against their pressure," Huse said. "They have good athletes, and they have played with good energy in this gym consistently. They forced those turnovers."
MSU shot a season-high 55% for the game, and out-rebounded Fullerton 37-to-19. Erik Rush led MSU with 20 points on 8-for-12 shooting. In addition to Akognen's 29 points, Jacques Streeter added 23 points.
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