Bobcat Rally Comes Up Short; MSU Drops Tourney Opener

Thursday, March 13

4 pm MDT

Montana State University

15-15

Montana

21-9

Team	1	2	F
Montana State	14	52	66
Montana	36	39	75

3/14/2014 12:38:00 AM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

Montana State’s first-round Big Sky Conference Tournament opener was much like its entire 2013-14 season. The first half mirrored MSU’s difficulty establishing tempo and being dominated on the boards, while the second stanza highlighted the Bobcats’ ability to score at will, share the ball and exhibit a fighting spirit.

By: Tom Schulz

Montana State's first-round Big Sky Conference Tournament opener was much like its entire 2013-14 season. The first half mirrored MSU's difficulty establishing tempo and being dominated on the boards, while the second stanza highlighted the Bobcats' ability to score at will, share the ball and exhibit a fighting spirit.

Unfortunately for MSU, digging a 22-point hole at intermission was insurmountable, as Montana held on for a 75-66 win over Montana State in the quarterfinals of the league's Big Dance, Thursday night in the Betty Engelstad Center.

"Tempo and the inability to control the boards was our downfall in the first half," MSU head coach Tricia Binford said. "It's disappointing, because we controlled the second half and were able do to the things we do best, but we just didn't have enough time. We did ourselves in and almost made it out."

Montana State (15-15) shot just 23 percent from the field in the opening period, while Montana connected on 38 percent, en route to a 36-14 advantage at intermission.

The Bobcats were able to out-score Montana (21-9) 52-39 in the second half, shooting 46 percent from the floor, including an eight-of-15 effort from three-point range and converting 12-of-12 free throw attempts.

"Our offense was very efficient in the second half," Binford said. "However, like the rest of the season, we had a hard time putting two halves together and letting our opponent get to the foul line."

UM finished the game connecting on 27-of-36 free throws, while MSU went 13-of-14 from the stripe. The Lady Griz also held a 46-33 edge in rebounding.

Despite its first half woes, the Bobcats rattled off a 16-4 run in the first five minutes of the final period to close to within 40-30. Montana built the margin back to 15 points, before MSU whittled the lead down to 48-44 behind a 12-1 run at the midway mark of the half.

The Lady Griz countered with three straight points and Montana State would get no closer.

"I'm proud of our fight," Binford said. "That's never been in question. We'll need to take a good look at our foul situation and aggressiveness under the boards in the offseason."

Junior Kalli Durham sparked MSU's second-half rally and finished with a team-high 16 points, including four 3-pointers. Also in double-figures were Jasmine Hommes 12 and Ausha Cole 10. Cole also dished out a team-best nine assists.

Montana was led by Bozeman High product Kellie Cole, who recorded 20 points and eight rebounds.

MSU will lose the services of its lone senior, Ashley Brumwell, next season.