Biglow Boosts Bobcats by Lumberjacks

Thursday, March 7

Bozeman, MT

8:00 p.m.

Montana State University

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NORTHERN ARIZONA

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OT 1

Northern Arizona

Montana State

Antonio Biglow paced the Bobcats in an OT win over NAU

Photo by: R. Dean Hendrickson

3/8/2013 11:28:00 AM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

Overtime win pushes MSU one step closer to post-season

By: Bill Lamberty

Antonio Biglow poured in 27 points and produced seven pilfers, leading Montana State to an 83-79 overtime win over Northern Arizona in Bozeman on Thursday.

The victory pushed the Bobcats a step closer to the Big Sky Conference Tournament, without quite clinching a post-season berth. But it didn't come easy.

“It's never easy,” said Montana State coach Brad Huse. “We executed well at times on both ends of the floor, but also gave up some open looks. Antonio (Biglow) played quite a game, and we were able to make enough plays in the overtime.”

While the Bobcats started hot then cooled, NAU put together two outstanding shooting halves. The Lumberjacks' 56.5% effort after halftime allowed Northern Arizona to chop down MSU's 14-point second half lead. The Lumberjacks used an 11-2 run early in the second half, eventually building a lead of four points at the 10-minute mark.

The Bobcats answered with 11 straight points to grab a seven-point lead with six minutes left on a three-point play by Biglow. NAU responded, and when Gabe Rogers hit a three-pointer at 2:27 NAU led 71-69. The Lumberjacks led 71-70 when Flavien Davis hit a free throw at 1:01, but Christian Moon's triple gave the Cats a two-point margin. Rogers was fouled on the ensuing possession, and his free throws sent the game to overtime.

NAU shot 54% in the first and and 56.5% in the second, but Montana State's defense stepped up in the overtime period. MSU held the Jacks to one-for-eight shooting in the overtime period. Moon, Biglow and Paul Egwuonwu each converted layups in the overtime and the Bobcats hit all four of their free throws in the last 20 seconds to seal the win.

While MSU's field goal shooting was uneven throughout the night, its free throw was not. The Bobcats finished 18-for-22 from the line, hooting 81.8% on the night. Montana State also played to another strength, turning the ball over only eight times in an overtime game, forcing 14 NAU mistakes.

Montana State's 10 steals produced many of those turnovers, and Biglow led the way. “He was really disruptive on defense,” Huse said. Biglow's seven steals were the second-most in school history. MSU's win marked the third for the Cats in extra time this season, matching the most overtime wins in a season in school history.

The Bobcats raised their record to 12-16 overall and 9-10 in Big Sky play. A win in Saturday's Senior Day game against Sacramento State, which begins at 2:30 pm, clinches a post-season appearance. The scenario that would likely push the Bobcats out of post-season contention would involve a four-team tie at 9-11. NAU is now 11-19 overall, 8-11 in the league.