Strand Leads Bobcats to Thanksgiving Classic Title

Saturday, November 28

5/7:30 p.m.

Montana State University

Winthrop

Sarah Strand (r) was named Bobcat Thanksgiving Classic MVP on Saturday night.

Photo by: R. Dean Hendrickson

11/28/2009 10:34:23 PM | Women's Basketball

Sarah Strand had 15 points and eight rebounds to lift the Bobcats to a 60-41 win over Winthrop.

By: Tom Schulz

MSU-WINTHROP BOXSCORE

Montana State junior Sarah Strand posted 15 points, eight rebounds and tied a school record with six blocks to pace MSU to a 60-41 win over Winthrop in the championship game of the Bobcat Thanksgiving Classic, Saturday night in Worthington Arena.

For her efforts, Strand, a 6-1 forward from Shoreline, Wash., was named tournament MVP.

“Sarah had an outstanding weekend,” said MSU fifth-year head coach Tricia Binford. “This was the first time this season we have put two halves together both offensively and defensively.”

Montana State (5-1) was also paced by returning starters Katie Bussey and Erica Perry. Bussey tied Strand for scoring honors with 15 points, including a three-of-five from three-point range. Perry added 13 points and four assists.

“Our upperclassmen are doing a nice job and our newcomers are starting to gain some confidence,” Binford said. “Winthrop is a big, physical team and I thought we did a nice job keeping them in check.”

MSU trailed early in the opening period before stringing together a 17-4 run to take a 22-13 lead at the 4:46 mark on a Perry layup. The Bobcats entered intermission with a 26-17 advantage.

In the second stanza, MSU shot 50 percent from the field and forced Winthrop (2-4) into 18 second-half turnovers to cruise to the win.

For the game, the Bobcats shot 43 percent from the floor and connected on eight three-pointers. The Eagles out-rebounded MSU 37-27. MSU was led under the boards by Strand and Beata Bak 8.

Winthrop was paced in the loss by Lacey Lyons with 18 points on seven-of-ten from the field.

Earlier, Utah Valley defeated Southern Utah 68-54 in the third place game.

Named to the all-tournament team were Strand, Bussey, Perry, Lyons, Shanice Cole, Winthrop, Julie Smith, UVU, and Challis Pascucci, Southern Utah.

Montana State will host Gonzaga, Friday, Dec. 4 at 5:30 p.m. in Worthington Arena.