Balanced Attack Lifts Bobcat Women past T-Birds

Friday, November 27

7:30 p.m.

Montana State University

Southern Utah

Sarah Strand posted 17 points and 11 rebounds in MSU's 62-43 win over Southern Utah on Friday night.

Photo by: R. Dean Hendrickson

11/27/2009 10:11:22 PM | Women's Basketball

Sarah Strand had 17 points and 11 rebounds as MSU defeated Southern Utah 62-43 in the opening round of the Wingate Thanksgiving Classic

By: Tom Schulz

MSU-SUU Boxscore

Montana State junior Sarah Strand posted a game-high 17 points and a career-best 11 rebounds to lift the Bobcats to a 62-43 win in the opening round of the Wingate Thanksgiving Classic, Friday night in Worthington Arena.

Strand connected on six-of-11 from the field, and posted 11 points in the second half. In addition, she added two assists, two blocks and a steal.

“The first half was a little frantic, but it was nice to get a lot of our players some minutes,” said MSU fifth-year head coach Tricia Binford. “In the second half, Sarah (Strand) really stepped-up and settled us down, along with Erica (Perry) at the point.”

Montana State (4-1) opened the game on an 8-0 run and entered intermission with a 29-16 advantage, holding Southern Utah (0-5) to 18 percent from the floor.

In the second stanza, the Bobcats built their largest lead at 60-32 on a Beata Bak layin with 6:04 remaining. All ten Bobcats logged 15 minutes or more.

“With Jamie Thornton going down with an injury in the first minute, it was nice to see some of our younger kids get confidence-building minutes,” Binford said. “We really missed Jamie's presence from a rebounding perspective.”

Also in double-figures for MSU was Katie Bussey with 11 points, including three 3-pointers.

Southern Utah was paced in the loss by Cassie Burgess with 12 points.

The Thunderbirds held a 43-40 advantage in rebounding. Montana State was led under the glass by Strand and Janette Jackson with eight rebounds.

For the game, MSU shot 40 percent from the field. The Bobcats turned the ball over ten times, while forcing SUU into 23 miscues.

Montana State will face Winthrop in the championship game on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Winthrop defeated Utah Valley 72-59 in the other first-round match-up on Friday.

UVU and SUU will play in the third place game at 5 p.m. in Worthington Arena.