Bobcat Women Fall in Big Sky Conference Opener

Thursday, December 20

Bozeman, MT

7 p.m.

Montana State University

SACRAMENTO STATE

Photo by: R. Dean Hendrickson

12/20/2012 10:03:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

Playing without its leading scorer, the Montana State women’s basketball squad fell to Sacramento State, 69-65, in the Big Sky Conference opener for both squads, Thursday night in Worthington Arena.

By: Tom Schulz

Playing without its leading scorer, the Montana State women's basketball squad fell to Sacramento State, 69-65, in the Big Sky Conference opener for both squads, Thursday night in Worthington Arena.

Montana State (6-3, 0-1) sophomore Kalli Durham, who averages a team-best 13.8 points per game, sat out the contest with a leg injury.

“We didn't have much time to adjust to the fact we wouldn't have Kalli,” said MSU head coach Tricia Binford. “We had some kids play in some different positions, but in the end, it came down to missing free throws, not making high-percentage shots and Sacramento State's size.”

The Bobcats jumped out to an early 10-0 lead, before Sacramento State (5-4, 1-0) used a barrage of three-pointers to get back in the contest. Sacramento State's fifth triple of the half pulled the Hornets to within 28-27 at the 4:47 mark. The Hornets rattled off a 6-2 run to take a three-point margin with 1:35 remaining in the half. Montana State freshman Peyton Ferris hit a three-pointer at the buzzer to even the game at 33-all heading into intermission.

“We got off to such a great start,” Binford said. “Then we started getting complacent. Sacramento State is a good team and they were hitting the three-ball.”

The second half featured four lead changes and three ties. MSU held a 60-57 margin following a pair of Ashley Brumwell free throws with 4:23 left, but Sacramento State answered with a 7-0 run capped by its only three-pointer of the second stanza as Alle Moreno drilled a shot from the top of the circle with 2:03 remaining.

The Bobcats missed three consecutive free throws down the stretch, but cut the Hornet lead to two points, twice. However, Sacramento State converted three-of-four charity tosses in the final moments to secure the win.

“We struggled with their size,” Binford said. “Rachel (Semansky) did a better job in the second half attacking it. We also held them to one 3-pointer in the half, but it was a big make for them.”

Without Durham, the Bobcats had a balanced scoring attack with three players in double-figures. Semansky, Jackie Elliott and Latisha Adams each had 13 points.

For the game, MSU shot 38 percent from the floor, while the Hornets hit at a 42 percent clip. The Bobcats won the battle of the boards, out-rebounding Sacramento State 47-39. MSU was led down low by Rechel Carter with a season-high seven rebounds.

Sacramento State was led by Moreno with 18 points and five rebounds.

MSU will host Northern Arizona on Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m., in Worthington Arena.