Montana State University
Southern Utah
Quick Start Propels Bobcat Women to Win at Southern Utah
11/19/2010 11:02:24 PM | Women's Basketball
Montana State sophomore Rachel Semansky converted a pair of free throws a minute into its contest against Southern Utah and the Bobcats would never trail as MSU posted a 76-62 win over the Thunderbirds, Friday night in Centrum Arena.
Montana State sophomore Rachel Semansky converted a pair of free throws a minute into its contest against Southern Utah and the Bobcats would never trail as MSU posted a 76-62 win over the Thunderbirds, Friday night in Centrum Arena.
Montana State (2-2) broke away from a 21-20 advantage at the 9:43 mark, outscoring Southern Utah (0-3) 18-7 to take a 39-27 halftime lead as Katie Bussey nailed a three-pointer as the buzzer sounded.
In the second stanza, MSU built its largest lead of the game at 64-42 with 8:29 remaining on a Lyndi Seidensticker jumper and the Bobcats cruised to the win.
“We had a great start,” said MSU head coach Tricia Binford. “We need to work on our execution when we start to get tired and we need to be better on the glass.”
The Bobcats were led by Bussey with a game-high 23 points on eight-of-13 from the field. The junior guard also added four rebounds and three triples.
Also in double-figures were Sarah Balian 16 and Chelsea Banis 13.
Montana State finished with a 43-38 rebounding edge, led by Semansky and Balian with eight and seven boards, respectively.
“Katie and Sarah carried us in the first half, and that's what you want your upperclassmen to do,” Binford said. “In the second half, Semansky was an animal on the glass and we were able to build upon our lead.”
For the game, MSU shot 48 percent from the field, including 52 percent in the second half.
Sophomore point-guard Ally Schmitt ended the night matching a career-high with eight assists.
SUU was led by Caitlyn Sears with 16 points and nine rebounds.
MSU will play at the Seattle University tournament next weekend.
