Saturday, November 18
Ruston, LA
6 PM
Montana State University
at
Louisiana Tech
Photo by: Kelly Gorham
GAME #4: Bobcats Visit Louisiana Tech Saturday
11/16/2017 5:02:00 PM | Men's Basketball
MSU makes first trip to Louisiana in nearly three decades
Montana State opens a challenging stretch of its non-conference season Saturday when the Bobcats visit Louisiana Tech. Tipoff is 6 pm MT in the Thomas Assembly Center on Karl Malone Court.
The Cats face a veteran Bulldogs squad (2-0) led by Jacobi Boykins, who averaged 14.7 points a game last year, and guard Jalen Harris, who has poured in 50 points during Louisiana Tech's first two games this season. And that, according to Bobcats coach Brian Fish, is just the beginning.
"They are really, really good," Fish said, "very athletic, extremely impressive. They have a super quick point guard, and a seven-footer inside. It's a team that can cause problems in a lot of ways."
Sophomore guards DaQuan Bracey and Jalen Harris combined for 46 points in the Bulldogs' 96-95 overtime victory against Southeast Missouri. That game and Saturday's are both part of the Cancun Challenge, which takes a host of teams to Mexico next week. The Bobcats square off with Binghamton and either Southeast Missouri or Cal State Northridge south of the border before finishing the event with a Sunday, Nov. 26, matinee at Fresno State.
Before all that plays out, though, the Cats meet a team coming off back-to-back 23-win seasons. Third-year coach Eric Konkol is 48-20 at Louisiana Tech, leading his team to second place in Conference USA a season ago, and the Bulldogs own a nine-game home winning streak.
Montana State shook off the disappointment of a road loss to Utah State by pulling away from Montana Western 109-81 on Wednesday, but it wasn't a game without tense moments. The Bulldogs from Dillon hit 11 of their first 12 shots in the second half, but could only get within four once. After MSU weathered Western's storm, the Cats coasted.
Fish made one lineup change Wednesday, inserting junior guard Devonte Klines, a starter through much of 2016-17, into the starting lineup. "I thought Devonte gave us good energy," Fish said. "He gives us an aggressiveness that helps at times."
Harald Frey's consistent excellence through three games has been foundational for the Bobcats. He averages 20 points a game, with no fewer than 15 in any of the three. The sophomore point guard has dished out 13 assists with only four turnovers, and averages 6.0 rebounds a game. Tyler Hall erupted with 32 points on Wednesday, his 10th career 30-point effort (in 66 games). He hit seven three-pointers, but also knocked down a pair of jumpers inside the arc along with seven free throws. Hall and Frey averaged 42 of Montana State's 90.3 points per game, and have combined to assist on 24 of the 58 baskets they didn't score.
After Saturday's game at Louisiana Tech the Cats face Binghamton on Tuesday at 10:30 am and another contest Wednesday.
The Cats face a veteran Bulldogs squad (2-0) led by Jacobi Boykins, who averaged 14.7 points a game last year, and guard Jalen Harris, who has poured in 50 points during Louisiana Tech's first two games this season. And that, according to Bobcats coach Brian Fish, is just the beginning.
"They are really, really good," Fish said, "very athletic, extremely impressive. They have a super quick point guard, and a seven-footer inside. It's a team that can cause problems in a lot of ways."
Sophomore guards DaQuan Bracey and Jalen Harris combined for 46 points in the Bulldogs' 96-95 overtime victory against Southeast Missouri. That game and Saturday's are both part of the Cancun Challenge, which takes a host of teams to Mexico next week. The Bobcats square off with Binghamton and either Southeast Missouri or Cal State Northridge south of the border before finishing the event with a Sunday, Nov. 26, matinee at Fresno State.
Before all that plays out, though, the Cats meet a team coming off back-to-back 23-win seasons. Third-year coach Eric Konkol is 48-20 at Louisiana Tech, leading his team to second place in Conference USA a season ago, and the Bulldogs own a nine-game home winning streak.
Montana State shook off the disappointment of a road loss to Utah State by pulling away from Montana Western 109-81 on Wednesday, but it wasn't a game without tense moments. The Bulldogs from Dillon hit 11 of their first 12 shots in the second half, but could only get within four once. After MSU weathered Western's storm, the Cats coasted.
Fish made one lineup change Wednesday, inserting junior guard Devonte Klines, a starter through much of 2016-17, into the starting lineup. "I thought Devonte gave us good energy," Fish said. "He gives us an aggressiveness that helps at times."
Harald Frey's consistent excellence through three games has been foundational for the Bobcats. He averages 20 points a game, with no fewer than 15 in any of the three. The sophomore point guard has dished out 13 assists with only four turnovers, and averages 6.0 rebounds a game. Tyler Hall erupted with 32 points on Wednesday, his 10th career 30-point effort (in 66 games). He hit seven three-pointers, but also knocked down a pair of jumpers inside the arc along with seven free throws. Hall and Frey averaged 42 of Montana State's 90.3 points per game, and have combined to assist on 24 of the 58 baskets they didn't score.
After Saturday's game at Louisiana Tech the Cats face Binghamton on Tuesday at 10:30 am and another contest Wednesday.
Players Mentioned
Thursday, March 03
Friday, November 05
Monday, November 01
Sunday, October 31
