Bobcats Slip Past Yellowjackets in Exhibition Saturday

Saturday, November 6

BOZEMAN

5:30 PM

Montana State University

MSU-Billings

Katie Bussey scored 34 points on Saturday

Photo by: Kelly Gorham

11/6/2010 8:31:17 PM | Women's Basketball

Katie Bussey scored 34 points to lead Montana State

By: Bill Lamberty

Katie Bussey poured in 34 points to offset a sluggish Montana State defensive effort and a big night by a former Bobcat in an 81-71 exhibition win over Montana State University-Billings on Saturday.

Bussey's 34 points included 27 before the half, and came in nearly equal doses from the perimeter, in and near the paint, and the free throw line. She was 7-for-13 from inside the arc, 3-for-6 beyond it, and 11-for-13 from the free throw line. Bussey also grabbed five rebounds, dished out a pair of assists, and nabbed four steals.

“Katie Bussey really gave us a lift with Lyndi (Seidensticker) out for this game,” said Bobcat coach Tricia Binford. “Katie and Sarah (Balian) really stepped up. Ausha (Cole) provided a huge spark off the bench, too.”

The Yellowjackets stayed with Montana State throughout, gaining a 69-69 tie on Bobbi Knudsen's three-pointer with 4:46 to play. Montana State answered with an 8-0 run, triggered by layups from Bussey and Rachel Semansky, to regain control The Bobcats finished the game on a 12-2 run.

Former MSU player Beata Bak kept MSU-B in the game almost singlehandedly. Bak scored 28 points and grabbed five rebounds, but also turned the ball over six times. Kayla Ryan scored 19 points with 10 rebounds for the visitors. MSU-B out-rebounded the Bobcats 36-to-32, but MSU forced 19 turnover while giving the ball away just a dozen times.

Binford targeted her team's defense as a necessary area of improvement prior to the team's season opener against Rice on November 12. “Our urgency on the defensive end, in the flow of the game, in transition, our communication in general, took a step backward tonight,” Binford said. “We need to improve in those areas.”

Balian scored 15 points for the Bobcats, while Semansky grabbed seven rebounds. Ashley Albert scored 14 points.