Second Half Effort Leads Bobcat Women to Victory Over MSUB

Wednesday, November 20

Bozeman, MT

7 p.m.

Montana State University

2-1

Montana State University-Billings

2-2

MSU Billings

Montana State

Photo by: R. Dean Hendrickson

Second Half Effort Leads Bobcat Women to Victory Over MSUB

11/20/2013 10:01:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

It was a struggle, but in the end the Montana State defense stole the show and lifted the Bobcats to a 58-49 win over MSU Billings, Wednesday night in Worthington Arena.

By: Tom Schulz

It was a struggle, but in the end the Montana State defense stole the show and lifted the Bobcats to a 58-49 win over MSU Billings, Wednesday night in Worthington Arena.

"We won with our defense in the second half," said MSU head coach Tricia Binford. "After an ugly first half, we picked up our energy and got out into transition. We played with a lot of heart and fight."

MSU Billings had the hot-hand in the opening period led by All-American Bobbi Knudsen, who poured in 14 points, including 4 3-pointers to give the Yellowjackets a 31-21 advantage at intermission.

"We have a lot of respect for Bobbi's game, she's such a great ball-handler and shooter," Binford said. "In the second half, we made the effort to keep the ball out of her hands and we limited her to just four points, while forcing her into some turnovers."

It took Montana State (2-1) until midway through the second stanza to finally close the gap on MSU Billings with a 12-2 run to establish its first lead of the game at 45-44 following a pair of Kalli Durham free throws with 3:43 remaining.

On the ensuing possession, Durham, a junior from Miles City, jumped the passing lane for a steal and converted the layup to give the Bobcats a three-point advantage and a lead they would not relinquish.

The Bobcats converted nine-of-10 free throws in the final two minutes to secure the victory.

"We played great defense and we did it without fouling," Binford said. "We did a nice job with our reads and anticipation, and I felt the crowd gave us a nice boost, as well."

For the game, MSU was paced by Durham and Ashley Brumwell with 11 points, while Ausha Cole added 10 points, all coming in the second half. The Bobcats shot 35 percent from the field, including 44 percent in the second stanza.

"We weren't getting good shots in the first half," Binford said. "We were being impatient and not getting the ball to the second side. We'll need to clean some things up, but all-in-all I'm really pleased with our second half effort."

The Yellowjackets won the battle of the boards, out-rebounding the Bobcats 45-36. MSU was led under the glass by sophomore Kayla DeWit, who came off the bench for a team-high nine rebounds.

"Kayla and Emily Allen really helped keep us close in the first half," Binford said.

The Bobcat defense forced 23 MSUB turnovers and stifled the Yellowjacket's offense limiting them to just 30 percent from the floor, including 24 percent in the final period.

Knudsen led MSU Billings with 18 points, while Janiel Olson finished with 12 points and 15 rebounds.

MSU will host the University of Denver in Worthington on Sunday at 2 p.m.