Joe Mvuezolo
Photo by: MSU Sports Information
Bobcats Use Strong Start to Beat Golden Bears in Calgary
8/11/2017 9:45:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Isaac Bonton paces MSU with 16 points
Isaac Bonton led the Bobcats with 16 points and Sam Neumann added 15, leading Montana State to a 78-69 win over the University of Alberta in Calgary on Friday. The game was MSU's second of four games in Calgary this weekend.
Montana State used a strong defensive effort to get out of the gates quickly. MSU built a 20-10 lead after the first quarter, and extended it to 37-25 at halftime. The Golden Bears managed just 26% shooting before the intermission.
"I was very happy with our defense in the first half," said Bobcats head coach Brian Fish, "when we held them to 25% and 26% (shooting). But I thought our defensive intensity slipped a little in the second half. That's just mental toughness, and that's something we'll develop."
Alberta never led in the game, and was as close as six only once after the early moments. The game was MSU's second in as many days, and the Cats play again Saturday and Sunday afternoon.
"I thought we looked a little tired," Fish said. "We need to make better passes, drop bounce passes or throw it to the rim, but for the most part I thought it was a decent performance."
The Bobcats played all 11 players for the second straight night. Senior Zach Green continues to nurse a minor injury, while freshman Lassi Nikkarinen awaits medical clearance. Joe Mvuezolo Jr., who scored 10 points with five rebounds, led the team with 28 minutes. No one else played more than 23. Harald Frey and Tyler Hall each dished out four assists.
Fish is anxious to see how his team responds to its third game in less than 48 hours when the Cats face Calgary at 3 pm for one simple reason. "To win the Big Sky Tournament you have to win three games in three days."
MSU beat Calgary 91-71 on Thursday, and faces Alberta again at 1 pm on Sunday.
STATISTICS: http://www.sidearmstats.com/calgary/mbball/
Montana State used a strong defensive effort to get out of the gates quickly. MSU built a 20-10 lead after the first quarter, and extended it to 37-25 at halftime. The Golden Bears managed just 26% shooting before the intermission.
"I was very happy with our defense in the first half," said Bobcats head coach Brian Fish, "when we held them to 25% and 26% (shooting). But I thought our defensive intensity slipped a little in the second half. That's just mental toughness, and that's something we'll develop."
Alberta never led in the game, and was as close as six only once after the early moments. The game was MSU's second in as many days, and the Cats play again Saturday and Sunday afternoon.
"I thought we looked a little tired," Fish said. "We need to make better passes, drop bounce passes or throw it to the rim, but for the most part I thought it was a decent performance."
The Bobcats played all 11 players for the second straight night. Senior Zach Green continues to nurse a minor injury, while freshman Lassi Nikkarinen awaits medical clearance. Joe Mvuezolo Jr., who scored 10 points with five rebounds, led the team with 28 minutes. No one else played more than 23. Harald Frey and Tyler Hall each dished out four assists.
Fish is anxious to see how his team responds to its third game in less than 48 hours when the Cats face Calgary at 3 pm for one simple reason. "To win the Big Sky Tournament you have to win three games in three days."
MSU beat Calgary 91-71 on Thursday, and faces Alberta again at 1 pm on Sunday.
STATISTICS: http://www.sidearmstats.com/calgary/mbball/
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