Late Cold Spell Dooms Bobcats in Missoula

Saturday, February 25

Missoula, MT

2:05 p.m.

Montana State University

MONTANA

Tish Adams grabs a rebound at Montana

Photo by: Jerek Wolcott

2/25/2012 4:18:00 PM | Women's Basketball

UM uses late spurt to top Montana State

By: Bill Lamberty

Montana used an increasingly proficient offense and a five minute Bobcat dry spell, pulling away from MSU for a 77-59 win in Missoula on Saturday.

Katie Bussey's jumper with nine minutes left gave the Bobcats a 53-51 lead, the 15th time the lead had changed on the day. But Montana's Jordan Sullivan blocked a shot on the defensive end 30 seconds later then hit a short jumper to tie the game at 8:19 and more importantly begin a 16-0 run that sealed the Lady Griz win.

"We just didn't keep our composure," said MSU guard Katie Bussey. "They hit some shots and went on runs. We had good looks, we just didn't knock them down."

After Sullivan's shot, Kellie Cole hit a pair of free throws after a Rachel Semansky turnover, then Kenzie DeBoer knocked down a pair, and after jumpers by Sullivan and Katie Baker increased the lead to 61-53. Baker knocked down two free throws to extend the lead to double digits.

Montana's key free throws marked a major advantage for the physical, ultra-aggressive Lady Griz. UM was whistled for 10 fewer fouls than MSU and shot 22 free throws (making 19) to the Bobcats' 10 (the Cats converted five). Montana out-scored MSU by 14 points from the foul line in the 18-point win.

"It was a physical game," said MSU coach Tricia Binford.

Montana State didn't score again until 4:01 remained, when Katie Bussey banked in a three-pointer to get MSU within 67-56. But the Grizzlies responded with another spurt, this time a 7-0 run that salted the game away.

Binford lauded Montana, particularly a Lady Griz offense averaging just over 62 points per conference game. "Montana just played a really good game," she said. "They had players step up. Defensively we had a lot of breakdowns, and they tood advantage."

Katie Baker led UM with 20 points, converting 10 of 11 from the line, and grabbing nine rebounds. Kenzie DeBoer chipped in 15 points, while Sullivan added 13 and Torry Hill 12.

Bussey led the Bobcats with 16 points, while Semansky scored 13 and Kalli Durham added 10. MSU out-rebounded Montana 44-to-37, but UM turned eight offensive rebounds into 16 second-chance points. The Lady Griz shot 44.1% on the day, while MSU converted at a 34.8% rate.

With the loss MSU falls to 9-6 in Big Sky play and sinking to fifth in the league standings. MSU is now 17-10 on the season. Montana raises its record to 16-11 overall, 9-5 in Big Sky play. The Bobcats finish the regular season next weekend at Weber State, while the Lady Griz play Portland State and Northern Arizona.