Montana State University
Portland State
Montana State Women Squander Lead as Vikings Rally for Win
1/8/2010 10:44:39 PM | Women's Basketball
Portland State overcame a 20-point first half deficit and out-scored Montana State 43-21 in the second half, en route to a 69-62 win over the Bobcats, Friday night in the Stott Center.
PORTLAND, ORE. - Portland
Montana State (8-8, 1-2) surged out in the opening stanza staking a 41-21 advantage at the 3:46 mark on an Ashley Albert three-pointer.
The Bobcats were paced in the first half by Katie Bussey with 16 points, converting seven-of-10 from the field.
MSU held a 55-40 advantage mid way through the second stanza following a Sarah Strand jumper. PSU rallied with a 19-2 run over the next five minutes to pull to within 59-57 on a Claire Faucher triple.
The Vikings gained its first lead of the second stanza with 2:33 remaining on another trey by Faucher, and PSU out-scored the Bobcats 9-0 down the stretch to secure the victory.
“It was a tale of two halves,” said MSU head coach Tricia Binford. “We had the hot hand in the first half, and
“The game came down to rebounding, and we gave up 19 offensive boards,” Binford said. “There is no way in this league that you can win if you don't take care of the boards.”
PSU held Bussey scoreless in the second half, limiting the 2008-09 Big Sky Freshman of the Year to 0-of-six from the floor. Bussey ended the game with a team-high 16 points, while
Faucher paced the Vikings with a game-high 28 points, including 25 in the second period.
“We weren't the aggressors coming out of halftime,” Binford said. “We forced the issue and didn't play team ball.”
For the game, MSU shot 35 percent from the field, including just 23 percent in the second stanza. PSU finished hitting 33 percent, including 39 percent in the final period.
MSU will play at
