Bobcats Headed to Big Sky Title Tilt
3/14/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
For the second straight game seniors Krislyn Wallace and Rebecca Mercer paced Montana State with 17 points, apiece, as the Bobcats upset Idaho State- who had beaten MSU twice during the regular-season.
Montana State (18-12) came out of the starting gate on fire building a 28-13 advantage at the 6:19 mark on a Wallace field-goal.
The Bobcats built their largest lead of the half at 37-18 with 1:51 remaining on a three-pointer by Anne Phippard.
“That was about the best half we’ve played all season,” said MSU head coach Tricia Binford. “We were able to shut down (Natalie) Doma and (Andrea) Lightfoot and frustrate them a little. It was important to get the lead.”
MSU entered intermission with a 39-21 advantage.
In the second stanza, the Bobcats maintained a healthy cushion leading 52-33 at the 15:41 mark on a Wallace basket.
Idaho State answered with a 13-0 run to cut the margin to 52-46 with 12:50 remaining on a layup by Michelle Grohs.
However, MSU rattled off two baskets to push the margin back to double-digits.
“We seemed to have an answer to their runs, and that’s the confidence we’ve been showing the last six games,” Binford said. “I’m proud of the way this team has kept its composure. They have really matured in the last three weeks.”
In all, five Bobcats hit double figures. Also posting double-digits were Erica Perry, who matched a career-high with 15 points. Nubia Garcia and Phippard added 12 and 11 points, respectively.
Phippard, who has seen an increase in playing time, came off the bench to connect on five-of-six from the field.
“We had great production from our bench and were able to go a little deeper,” Binford said. “We kept our legs fresh, and Anne really gave us a big lift.”
For the game, MSU shot 52 percent from the field, while limiting the Big Sky’s top offense to 39 percent. MSU held Lightfoot, a first-team All-Big Sky selection scoreless in 28 minutes of action.
Doma, who was the Big Sky Player of the Year, paced Idaho State (20-9) with 34 points and 19 rebounds.
ISU held a 40-31 advantage under the boards. MSU was led by Garcia with a team-high six rebounds.
Montana State will play for the Big Sky title Saturday at 5 p.m. in Dahlberg Arena. It will mark the first time since 2003 that the Bobcats have played for the Big Sky crown.
For tonight's boxscore, please click on the 'PDF Version Available' link at the top of this page.
Montana State (18-12) came out of the starting gate on fire building a 28-13 advantage at the 6:19 mark on a Wallace field-goal.
The Bobcats built their largest lead of the half at 37-18 with 1:51 remaining on a three-pointer by Anne Phippard.
“That was about the best half we’ve played all season,” said MSU head coach Tricia Binford. “We were able to shut down (Natalie) Doma and (Andrea) Lightfoot and frustrate them a little. It was important to get the lead.”
MSU entered intermission with a 39-21 advantage.
In the second stanza, the Bobcats maintained a healthy cushion leading 52-33 at the 15:41 mark on a Wallace basket.
Idaho State answered with a 13-0 run to cut the margin to 52-46 with 12:50 remaining on a layup by Michelle Grohs.
However, MSU rattled off two baskets to push the margin back to double-digits.
“We seemed to have an answer to their runs, and that’s the confidence we’ve been showing the last six games,” Binford said. “I’m proud of the way this team has kept its composure. They have really matured in the last three weeks.”
In all, five Bobcats hit double figures. Also posting double-digits were Erica Perry, who matched a career-high with 15 points. Nubia Garcia and Phippard added 12 and 11 points, respectively.
Phippard, who has seen an increase in playing time, came off the bench to connect on five-of-six from the field.
“We had great production from our bench and were able to go a little deeper,” Binford said. “We kept our legs fresh, and Anne really gave us a big lift.”
For the game, MSU shot 52 percent from the field, while limiting the Big Sky’s top offense to 39 percent. MSU held Lightfoot, a first-team All-Big Sky selection scoreless in 28 minutes of action.
Doma, who was the Big Sky Player of the Year, paced Idaho State (20-9) with 34 points and 19 rebounds.
ISU held a 40-31 advantage under the boards. MSU was led by Garcia with a team-high six rebounds.
Montana State will play for the Big Sky title Saturday at 5 p.m. in Dahlberg Arena. It will mark the first time since 2003 that the Bobcats have played for the Big Sky crown.
For tonight's boxscore, please click on the 'PDF Version Available' link at the top of this page.
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