T-Birds down Bobcat Hoopsters

Thursday, January 30

Bozeman, MT

7 p.m.

Montana State University

6-311-7/ Big Sky

Southern Utah University

6-312-6/ Big Sky

Southern Utah

Montana State

Junior Jackie Elliott connected on seven-of-nine free throw attemtps in MSU's 87-81 loss to Southern Utah on Thursday night. The Billings Central product finished the game with 17 points and 10 rebounds for her fourth double-double-of the season.

Photo by: Kelly Gorham

1/30/2014 10:44:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

Despite a career-high 24 points from sophomore Jasmine Hommes, including 20 in the final half, Montana State couldn’t overcome foul trouble and Southern Utah’s Hailey Mandelko down the stretch as the Thunderbirds posted an 87-81 win over the Bobcats, Thursday night in Worthington Arena.

By: Tom Schulz

Despite a career-high 24 points from sophomore Jasmine Hommes, including 20 in the final half, Montana State couldn't overcome foul trouble and Southern Utah's Hailey Mandelko down the stretch as the Thunderbirds posted an 87-81 win over the Bobcats, Thursday night in Worthington Arena.

Montana State (11-7, 6-3) seemed to have things under control in the first half, opening up a 16-point lead midway through the period following a pair of Jackie Elliott free throws. MSU opened the game connecting on its first six 3-point attempts. Three more charity tosses via Elliott closed out the first stanza as the Bobcats entered intermission with a 46-38 advantage.

"We were in a good flow and knocking down shots in the first half," MSU head coach Tricia Binford said. "In the second half, we lost discipline and got a little rattled."

Montana State held the lead until Mandelko hit a floater from the free throw line with 3:28 remaining to give Southern Utah (12-6, 6-3) its first advantage of the game. After Hommes converted the back end of two free throw attempts, Mandelko hit a triple at the 2:56 mark and the T-Birds never relinquished the lead in the waning moments. Mandleko's third 3-pointer of the night gave SUU a six-point margin with 1:47 left to secure the win.

For the game, Hommes led four Bobcat players in double-digits connecting on 11-of-19 from the field. Also in double-figures were Elliott 17, Ausha Cole 10, and Kayla DeWit 10. Elliott ended with a team-high 10 rebounds for her fourth double-double of the season.

In all, sixty-seven free throws were attempted between the two squads, with SUU holding a 20-8 advantage from the line in the final period. MSU's leading scorer Ashley Brumwell fouled out with 3:52 remaining and finished with just seven points. The Hamilton product did match a career-high six assists.

SUU held a sizable 47-35 advantage under the boards, which included 17 offensive rebounds.

Mandelko finished with 22 points, while Carli Moreland posted 19 points and 15 rebounds.

MSU will travel to Montana on Monday night.