Bobcats Drop Monday Night Contest at Idaho State

Monday, January 24

7:05 PM

Montana State University

Idaho State

Erik Rush scored 18 points at Idaho State on Monday

Photo by: Kelly Gorham

1/24/2011 9:26:11 PM | Men's Basketball

MSU's 20 turnovers proved the team's undoing

By: Bill Lamberty

The effort was there, but for the second straight game the shots weren't falling. The result was a second straight road loss for Montana State, this one a grinding 50-45 loss to Idaho State in Pocatello on Monday.

Idaho State shot 13 more free throws than the Bobcats, and the 10 extra points from the stripe provided more than enough cushion for the Bengals. Poor shooting again hindered the Bobcats in a brutally physical contest, as MSU shot just 32.7%. The Bobcats responded defensively, especially in the second half, limiting the Bengals to 35% shooting overall, 30% after the intermission.

“That (defense) is a function of effort,” said Bobcat coach Brad Huse. “I'm really proud of the guys for their effort. The ball was just not going in the basket in stretches.”

After chopping the ISU lead to five early in the second half, MSU watched the steadily toward a 13-point margin midway through the period. From that point MSU clawed out an 16-5 run that brought the team to within two points, 47-45, with 3:21 to play. The Bobcats would not score again, though, and a Phil Taylor jumper paired with three late free throws sealed the Bengals win.

The Bobcats out-rebounded their fourth straight foe, but turnovers turned out to be the team's come-uppance. MSU's season-high 20 turnovers, paired with the 33% shooting, knocked the team out of its offensive flow for most of the night.

Montana State trailed 25-19 after an uneven first half, scratching back into the game after Idaho State had scored the game's first 10 points in holding MSU scoreless for nearly five minutes. After shooting just 29% in Missoula on Saturday, the team shot 28% n the first half until baskets by Bobby Howard and Rod Singleton closed the period. MSU committed 11 turnovers in the first half, MSU has committed 11 turnovers or less in 10 complete games this season.

Facing its first two-game losing streak of the league season, Montana State is forced to regroup quickly. The team hosts Big Sky favorite Montana on Saturday at 7 pm at Worthington Arena.