Strong Second Half Propels Bobcats Past Eastern Washington

Sunday, January 16

2:05 PM

Montana State University

Eastern Washington

Bobby Howard scored all 14 of his points in the second half Sunday

Photo by: R. Dean Hendrickson

Strong Second Half Propels Bobcats Past Eastern Washington

1/16/2011 5:27:12 PM | Men's Basketball

MSU shoots 73% after halftime to earn the win

By: Bill Lamberty

Montana State responded to a nightmarish first half with a dreamy finish, holding off Eastern Washington 71-59 on Sunday afternoon in Bozeman.

MSU-Eastern Washington box score

After shooting just 29.6% in the first half on 8-for-27 shooting, the Bobcats made 16 of their 22 shots, a season-best 72.7% for any period, in a second half during which the team out-scored EWU 48-33. Bobby Howard led that effort, scoring all 14 of his points after halftime.

“I thought we were a lot more patient in the second half offensively,” said Bobcat coach Brad Huse. “We were getting out and moving in the first half, but we just weren't real productive.” Of the Bobcats' 22 second-half shots, 16 came within 10 feet of the basket. The Bobcats outscored Eastern 24-12 in the paint.

Many of MSU's opportunities close to the basket came because of its work on the offensive glass. The Bobcats out-rebounded Eastern 39-to-22, MSU's biggest rebounding margin of the season, and the Cats snagged a dozen offensive rebounds. MSU scored 13 second-chance points.

The teams played on even terms throughout the first half. Eastern Washington's six point margin, 15-9 at the 11:15 mark, proved to be the largest lead either team would hold in that period. Geoffrey Allen's three-ointer with six seconds in the half gave the Eagles a three-point cushion at the break.

“Credit our guys,” Huse said. “They didn't get frustrated in the first half. The regrouped at halftime and played well in the second half.”

That trend continued early in the second half. Cliff Ederaine's short jumper gave EWU A 34-31 lead at 16:22, but Danny Piepoli answered with a triple, and when Rod Singleton knifed to the basket for a layup and Erik Rush jammed moments later, the Bobcats had a lead they would never relinquish. Over five-and-a-half minutes after Piepoli's three-pointer, MSU rattled off a 15-1 run that gave the Bobcats control. MSU played with a double-digit lead for the game's final six minutes.

With Howard and Erik Rush, who registered his first career double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds, leading the way, MSU benefited from strong supporting play. Rod Singleton joined Howard and Rush with 14 points until spraining an ankle late in the game. The fireplug point guard also grabbed five rebounds and hit all three of his free throws. Jourdain Allou scored a career-high 13 points, while Piepoli added 12.

Montana State ran its record to 11-7 overall, 5-1 in Big Sky play, with the win. MSU's last 5-1 Big Sky start came in the 2004-05 season. The Bobcats face perhaps their toughest sustained stretch of the league season, beginning Saturday night at Montana. MSU travels to Pocatello to face Idaho State on Monday, hosts the Grizzlies on January 29, then travels to Northern Arizona and Weber State.