Elliott Leads Bobcat Women to Big Sky Road Win

Saturday, January 4

Flagstaff, AZ

tba

Montana State University

6-5, 1-1BSC

Northern Arizona University

3-8, 0-2BSC

Montana State

Northern Arizona

Ausha Cole dished out a game-high six assists at Northern Arizona on Satruday night.

Photo by: R. Dean Hendrickson

1/4/2014 10:16:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

For the second consecutive game Montana State junior Jackie Elliott led the Bobcats in scoring.

By: Tom Schulz

For the second consecutive game Montana State junior Jackie Elliott led the Bobcats in scoring. And this time, her effort paid dividends as the Billings native poured in a team-high 23 points to pace MSU to an 80-72 victory over Northern Arizona, Saturday night in the Walkup Skydome.

On Thursday, the Billings Central grad recorded a career-high 25 points in Montana State's Big Sky opening loss at Sacramento State.

"Jackie is really playing at a high level on both ends of the court," said MSU head coach Tricia Binford. "It was a dogfight, and offensively we put together two solid halves."

The first half featured nine ties and eight lead changes. Montana State (6-5, 1-1) got back-to-back baskets by sophomore Jasmine Hommes in the final minute to enter intermission with a 30-27 advantage.

In the second stanza, the Bobcats rattled off a 10-0 run midway through the stanza to take a 54-42 lead following a Kalli Durham free throw with eight-minutes, 46-seconds remaining. Northern Arizona (3-8, 0-2) whittled the margin to 74-70 with 1:24 left, but MSU closed out the game going four-of-six from the line to secure the win.

"Defensively, we must take the next step in being able to defend and keep teams off the foul line and boards," Binford said. "I thought Margreet (Barhoum) gave us a strong lift, and Kalli hit some big shots. Our posts were really solid, as well."

Elliott finished the contest connecting on seven-of-12 from the floor. She also added eight rebounds, five assists and three steals.

Also in double-digits for the Bobcats were Hommes and Durham with 17 points, apiece. Barhoum finished with six points in 18 minutes of action.

For the game, the Bobcats shot 41 percent from the field, while holding NAU to 34 percent and forcing 22 Lumberjack turnovers.

Sophomore Alexa Dawkins led MSU under the boards with a career-high nine rebounds, while adding five points, three assists and two blocks. Montana State point guard Ausha Cole led all players with six assists.

"We're anxious to get back home in front of our fans, Binford said. "But, we need to also get back to a blue-collar mentality on the defensive end."

Northern Arizona was led by Amanda Frost with a game-high 27 points.

The Bobcats will host Portland State on Thursday night at 7 p.m. in Worthington Arena.