Tuesday, March 7
Reno, NV
9:05 p.m. MT
Montana State University
16-16
105
vs
109
Southern Utah
6-26
1
2
OT 1
OT 2
OT 3
F
Southern Utah
29
49
15
8
8
109
Montana State
42
36
15
8
4
105
Devonte Klines
Photo by: MSU Sports Information
Bobcats Fall to Southern Utah in Big Sky Tourney
3/8/2017 12:54:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Thunderbirds overcome 15-point deficit
Southern Utah eradicated a 15-point Montana State lead in the second half and out-lasted Montana State 109-105 in three overtimes Tuesday in the first round of the Big Sky Conference Tournament in Reno.
Thunderbird guard Randy Onwuasor scored 43 points, converting 20 of his 25 free throw attempts. His performance negated Tyler Hall's 33 points and Devonte Klines' career-best 25 points.
"I thought our guys played incredibly hard," said Bobcat coach Brian Fish. "We did a lot of good things, made some big shots. This should be something that becomes a motivating factor for us going forward."
The Bobcats had opportunities late in regulation and the first overtime, but Southern Utah held the sixth-seeded Bobcats at bay. The 11th-seeded Thunderbirds didn't miss their opportunity in the third extra period. SUU scored 16 of its 31 points after regulation from the free throw line, including all seven in the third overtime.
"We had two or three possessions to close out the game in the overtimes and we couldn't finish it," Fish said. "We have to do a better job. Credit Southern Utah."
Montana State started strong, leading by 12 at halftime, and when Hall hit a jumper with just over 18 minutes to play the Cats led 44-29. But Southern Utah began its comeback immediately. Klines credited Southern Utah. "They attacked us on both ends," he said.
Onwuasor was at the point of that attack. "He pinned his ears back and went at us," Fish said. "We couldn't keep him off the foul line."
The story of Montana State's first half was the glass. The Cats out-rebounded Southern Utah 25-12, and after Bobcat coach Brian Fish emphasized offensive rebounding throughout the last couple of days MSU grabbed nine before halftime. Zach Green grabbed eight of MSU's 25 points. Randy Onwuasor, the league's leading scorer through the regular season, netted 10 in the first half, but Klines topped that with 15.
Onwuasor was at the point of Southern Utah's attack all night. He finished with 43 points, a Big Sky Tournament record. Southern Utah's 109 points, and the 214 combined points, also set tourney marks.
The Bobcats finish with a 16-16 mark and made their fifth straight first-round exit. Southern Utah, the lowest seed to advance in Big Sky Tourney history, is now 6-26 and faces Weber State in the quarterfinals on Thursday.
Thunderbird guard Randy Onwuasor scored 43 points, converting 20 of his 25 free throw attempts. His performance negated Tyler Hall's 33 points and Devonte Klines' career-best 25 points.
"I thought our guys played incredibly hard," said Bobcat coach Brian Fish. "We did a lot of good things, made some big shots. This should be something that becomes a motivating factor for us going forward."
The Bobcats had opportunities late in regulation and the first overtime, but Southern Utah held the sixth-seeded Bobcats at bay. The 11th-seeded Thunderbirds didn't miss their opportunity in the third extra period. SUU scored 16 of its 31 points after regulation from the free throw line, including all seven in the third overtime.
"We had two or three possessions to close out the game in the overtimes and we couldn't finish it," Fish said. "We have to do a better job. Credit Southern Utah."
Montana State started strong, leading by 12 at halftime, and when Hall hit a jumper with just over 18 minutes to play the Cats led 44-29. But Southern Utah began its comeback immediately. Klines credited Southern Utah. "They attacked us on both ends," he said.
Onwuasor was at the point of that attack. "He pinned his ears back and went at us," Fish said. "We couldn't keep him off the foul line."
The story of Montana State's first half was the glass. The Cats out-rebounded Southern Utah 25-12, and after Bobcat coach Brian Fish emphasized offensive rebounding throughout the last couple of days MSU grabbed nine before halftime. Zach Green grabbed eight of MSU's 25 points. Randy Onwuasor, the league's leading scorer through the regular season, netted 10 in the first half, but Klines topped that with 15.
Onwuasor was at the point of Southern Utah's attack all night. He finished with 43 points, a Big Sky Tournament record. Southern Utah's 109 points, and the 214 combined points, also set tourney marks.
The Bobcats finish with a 16-16 mark and made their fifth straight first-round exit. Southern Utah, the lowest seed to advance in Big Sky Tourney history, is now 6-26 and faces Weber State in the quarterfinals on Thursday.
Team Stats
SUU
MSU
FG%
.429
.390
3FG%
.414
.367
FT%
.738
.742
RB
47
56
TO
12
16
STL
10
5
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
33
FGM
10
3FGM
7
FTM
6
Pts
25
FGM
8
3FGM
3
FTM
6
Pts
19
FGM
6
3FGM
5
FTM
2
Pts
8
FGM
1
3FGM
0
FTM
6
Players Mentioned
Bobcat Insider TV Show
Thursday, March 03
Inside The Brick (Amin Adamu)
Friday, November 05
Inside The Brick (Nick Gazelas)
Monday, November 01
Inside The Brick (Abdul Mohamed)
Sunday, October 31
