Strait, Martin Lead UM to Win Over Bobcats
2/9/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Andrew Strait led 20 points and Kyle Sharp added 18 to lead Montana to a 88-76 win over the Bobcats in Missoula on Saturday.
After the teams traded counter-punches for much of the night, and with the Bobcats within five, 66-61 with seven minutes left, the Grizzlies answered last and answered best. Strait hit a short jump hook with the shot clock expiring on a dish from Martin, and on the next possession Ryan Staudacher’s three-point extended UM’s lead to 10. Montana scored on seven of its final nine possessions to earn the win.
“Our seniors really competed hard,” said MSU coach Brad Huse, and I thought their seniors competed hard as well, Strait and Martin. It was a hard-fought game. They have a very efficient team right now.”
While Sharp’s output, starting for injured Brian Qvale, came in surprising fashion, so too did MSU’s Mecklen Davis’. The Bobcat senior scored 19 points and grabbed seven boards to lead the Bobcats in scoring and rebounding. Carlos Taylor added 17 for MSU, and Casey Durham chipped in with 14 points.
The teams punched and counter-punched throughout the first half. The Grizzlies led by seven on several occasions, sparked by a 13-3 Grizzly run around the 14-minute mark. Montana maintained its lead for a stretch, but Davis sparked the Bobcats. The senior forward scored eight points in the last five minutes of the half, pulling MSU to within two points at the break.
Huse lauded the play of Davis off the bench. “That was a real positive sign tonight,” he said. “He’s an emotional leader on this team, for sure, and his contributions will be important going forward.”
Montana State hosts a crucial contest on Thursday night, as Northern Arizona comes to Worthington Arena. The Lumberjacks remain in the battle for the Big Sky Conference chase, while the Bobcats fight for position for the league tournament.
After the teams traded counter-punches for much of the night, and with the Bobcats within five, 66-61 with seven minutes left, the Grizzlies answered last and answered best. Strait hit a short jump hook with the shot clock expiring on a dish from Martin, and on the next possession Ryan Staudacher’s three-point extended UM’s lead to 10. Montana scored on seven of its final nine possessions to earn the win.
“Our seniors really competed hard,” said MSU coach Brad Huse, and I thought their seniors competed hard as well, Strait and Martin. It was a hard-fought game. They have a very efficient team right now.”
While Sharp’s output, starting for injured Brian Qvale, came in surprising fashion, so too did MSU’s Mecklen Davis’. The Bobcat senior scored 19 points and grabbed seven boards to lead the Bobcats in scoring and rebounding. Carlos Taylor added 17 for MSU, and Casey Durham chipped in with 14 points.
The teams punched and counter-punched throughout the first half. The Grizzlies led by seven on several occasions, sparked by a 13-3 Grizzly run around the 14-minute mark. Montana maintained its lead for a stretch, but Davis sparked the Bobcats. The senior forward scored eight points in the last five minutes of the half, pulling MSU to within two points at the break.
Huse lauded the play of Davis off the bench. “That was a real positive sign tonight,” he said. “He’s an emotional leader on this team, for sure, and his contributions will be important going forward.”
Montana State hosts a crucial contest on Thursday night, as Northern Arizona comes to Worthington Arena. The Lumberjacks remain in the battle for the Big Sky Conference chase, while the Bobcats fight for position for the league tournament.
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