Brumwell Hits Career-High as Bobcats Rally to Clip Eagles

Saturday, January 11

Bozeman, MT

2 p.m.

Montana State University

3-18-5/ Big Sky

Eastern Washington University

2-36-8/ Big Sky

Eastern Washington

Montana State

Junior Ausha Cole recorded 12 points, four assists, three steals and three rebounds in MSU's 78-74 win over Eastern Washington.

Photo by: R. Dean Hendrickson

Brumwell Hits Career-High as Bobcats Rally to Clip Eagles

1/11/2014 5:18:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

Montana State senior Ashley Brumwell sparked a second-half rally as the Bobcats overcame a 10-point deficit to post a 78-74 victory over Eastern Washington, Saturday afternoon in Worthington Arena.

By: Tom Schulz

Jan. 11, 2014 – BOZEMAN, Mont. – Montana State senior Ashley Brumwell sparked a second-half rally as the Bobcats overcame a 10-point deficit to post a 78-74 victory over Eastern Washington, Saturday afternoon in Worthington Arena.

Brumwell, who recorded a career-high 26 points, took over the game with eight-minutes remaining and the Bobcats trailing 63-53. The Hamilton native notched seven points over a three-minutes stretch, including back-to-back baskets to even the contest at 65-all with three-minutes, 29-seconds left.

An Ausha Cole three-pointer from the top of the arc capped a 15-2 run and gave Montana State (8-5, 3-1) its first lead since early in the second stanza at the 2:58 mark. Eastern Washington (6-8, 2-3) received a triple from Hayley Hodgins with two-minutes, six-seconds remaining to knot the game at 70-all.

With just under a minute remaining, an Eastern Washington defender poked the ball away from Cole, but the ball found its way into the hands of Jackie Elliott, who converted an easy layin.

Following a EWU timeout, the Eagles had three shots at the basket but couldn't convert. MSU's Jasmine Hommes corralled the rebound, handed it to Elliott, who found a breaking Brumwell for the layup with ten-seconds remaining.

EWU's Lexi Nelson connected on a pair of free throws to pull Eastern Washington to within 76-74 with six-seconds remaining. On the in-bounds, Elliott recorded a career-high eighth assist finding Alexa Dawkins all alone under the Eagle basket to secure the MSU victory.

"It felt like a championship-type game," said MSU head coach Tricia Binford. "Both teams hit some big shots and it was a great atmosphere. Fortunately, we were able to grit one out. I'm proud of our kids; they have done a great job responding when we've been behind."

Brumwell finished the game scoring 13 points in each half, connecting on 11-of-18 from the field overall. In addition, she led all players with ten rebounds.

Also in double-figures for the Bobcats were Cole 12, Kalli Durham 11 and Dawkins 10. Dawkins, a sophomore from Bozeman, pulled down seven rebounds and added a career-high four blocks. Durham also finished with seven boards.

EWU was led in the loss by Hodgins with 18 points and eight rebounds.

Montana State will play at Northern Colorado on Thursday night.