Hot Second Half Leads Bobcats to Win Over Delaware State

Saturday, November 26

BOZEMAN

2 p.m.

Montana State University

4-2

Delaware State

1-5

Delaware State

Montana State

Harald Frey

Photo by: Adrian Sanchez-Gonzalez

Hot Second Half Leads Bobcats to Win Over Delaware State

11/26/2016 5:25:00 PM | Men's Basketball

Box Score

Harald Frey scores career-high 19, Zach Green gets double-double

By: Bill Lamberty

Harald Frey's career-high 19 points and Zach Green's third career double-double each stood out in Montana State's 91-66 win over Delaware State on Saturday, but not as much as one other factor.
                "Energy," Green said after scoring 16 points with 10 rebounds, four assists and a steal. "That's what we mainly focused on at halftime was playing with better energy."
                Playing the third game in a seven-day road trip that will cover more than 5,000 miles when it's finished, Delaware State overcame an early 9-1 deficit to lead most of the first half. The Hornets took their first lead at 16-14 with 11:40 remaining until halftime, and the Bobcats didn't lead again until after the intermission.
                "Energy by leadership" is how Fish boiled down the message he delivered at halftime, and it showed up early after the break. Quinton Everett started the scoring with a couple of free throws, and in a half-opening 13-0 run he scored four and Green and Frey each added six. In fact, MSU pushed the run to 26-5 before the Hornets got their bearings. By then, the Bobcats led 60-41 and had the game under control.
                While the offensive outburst was welcome, Fish was pleased that his team cleaned up several defensive mistakes from previous outings. "We did a much better job of (defending cleanly)," he said. "Overeall there weren't the repetitive mistakes we've made. I can think of four or five (mistakes), but we continue to improve in that. And we need to continue to improve because we're not the biggest team, but we're scrappy and tough. That's how we have to play."
                The Bobcats held Delaware State to 45% shooting – no Bobcat opponent has shot 50% from the floor this season – and limited the Hornets to just 11 charity tosses. MSU was 18-of-25 from the line, and DSU's 11 free throws and seven points from the line are both the fewest by any Bobcat opponent to date.
                The Cats also cleaned up the glass Saturday, grabbing 42 boards to DSU's 20. In fact, the Hornets snared only one offensive rebounds. "I'm not sure I've seen that before," Fish said. "They may be road-weary, but I want to give my guys credit. This was the best they've done at (boxing out)."
                Five Bobcats finished in double-figures scoring, although the game was just as noteworthy for who did not. Tyler Hall's nine points was his first game in single-digits this season, and the fourth-lowest scoring game of his career. But Frey led the way with 19, Green scored exactly 16 for the third time in the last five games, Joe Mvuezolo Jr. hit his career high with 11, and Everett scored 10.
                Montana State's fourth win (4-2) is the program's most non-conference victories since 2010-11, and the calendar hasn't flipped to December yet. The Cats turn around quickly, hosting Arizona Christian on Monday at 7 pm in Worthington Arena. Bobcat fans have the opportunity Monday to pose with the Great Divide Trophy and obtain autographs from MSU football players after last week's football win over Montana.
                But the main course Monday night is Bobcat basketball, and fans may purchase tickets at msubobcats.com.