Montana State's seniors filled it up on Senior Night.
Photo by: R. Dean Hendrickson
Bobcat Seniors Go Out with a Bang
3/2/2011 10:32:51 PM | Men's Basketball
Rush, Piepoli and Howard combine to score 62 of MSU's 84 points
They deserved that.
After struggling for the most of the final month of their senior season, one of the most productive senior classes in Montana State's history busted out in a big way Wednesday night. Danny Piepoli scored a season-high 22 points while Erik Rush and Bobby Howard added 20 each.
While things haven't been easy for the Bobcats for large chunks of 2010-11, Bobcat coach Brad Huse said Wednesday's win may have been pre-ordained.
“After (Danny Piepoli and Erik Rush's) redshirt season, their second year in the program, we lost on Senior Night,” Huse said. “Danny told me, 'Coach, we're not going to lose on our Senior Night.' He reminded me of that this week, and I remembered it.”
MSU's 2010-11 senior class will stand as one of the most productive in school history. Rush and Howard each passed the 1,000-point mark during their senior seasons, and Piepoli and Howard will finish as two of MSU's top six three-point shooters. The three combined for 3,236 points during their careers. Howard passed the 600-rebound mark on Wednesday, while Rush pilfered his 100th steal.
“These three are high-character kids,” Huse said. “They're really true to this program. It's really fitting for them to go out with a bang.”
There were many 'bangs' on Wednesday. Shooting struggles have defined the Bobcats' season, as the team shoots 41% from the floor, topping 50% shooting only once all season against a Division I opponent.
Until Senior Night.
Montana State's three seniors combined to shoot 21-for-33 from the floor and 9-for-17 from the three-point line. The end result was a 56.9% shooting night, the team's high-water mark for the season.
“We're playing with confidence,” Huse said. “That road swing gave us some confidence. It makes a big difference when the shots are going in.”
No one exemplified the Senior Night breakout like Piepoli. The senior from Pasadena hit seven of his 13 shots, including 6-of-10 from three-point range. He dished out three assists without a turnover. The 22-point outburst was a season high, and matched his career best total. Even after Wednesday, Piepoli is shooting just 36.5% from the floor.
“He's persevered,” Huse said. “He never gave in. He battled and competed. When he's shooting like he did tonight, it gives us another weapon out there.”
Piepoli's perseverance may serve as a metaphor for the Bobcats' season. MSU heads to Flagstaff for Saturday's Big Sky Conference Tournament First Round game against Northern Arizona. While the Lumberjacks pounded the Bobcats 61-41 in the teams' last meeting, Huse said the team's recent improvements give the team a boost heading into the post-season.
“This will be a tough game,” Huse said. “But it's good to head into the post-season playing better.”
Thursday, March 03
Friday, November 05
Monday, November 01
Sunday, October 31
