Photo by: R. Dean Hendrickson
Bobcats Fall for First Time in Canada, Dropping Finale to Alberta
8/13/2017 3:51:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Youngsters get lion's share of playing time as MSU finishes 3-1
Alberta outscored Montana State 38-15 over the last quarter-and-a-half Sunday, handing the Bobcats a 97-72 loss in Calgary to close MSU's four-game series north of the border.
Playing a lineup that featured only 26 minutes from the three-man guard line of Tyler Hall (eight minutes, five points), Devonte Klines (18 minutes off the bench, two points) and Harald Frey (did not play), and with fourth-year starter Zach Green nursing a minor hand injury, the Cats were within four midway through the third quarter.
"I thought (Saturday) was our best defensive day," said Bobcat coach Brian Fish. "The first and fourth quarter today, we weren't very good defensively. But it's like the old football term, we got a lot of guys playing time and we got some guys on film. That will be an invaluable teaching (tool) going forward."
Freshman Isaac Bonton led the team with 16 points, Benson Osayande added 14, and Joe Mvuezolo Jr. scored 10. Mvuezolo Jr. played a team-high played a team-high 29 minutes, Bonton 27, and Osayande 21. Devin Kirby (two points, four rebounds) played 23 minutes.
Alberta jumped out to a 26-12 lead after one quarter, but the Cats battled back. MSU trailed 45-38 at halftime, and when Keljin Blevins hit a short jumper with just under four minutes remaining in the third quarter the Cats had cut the lead to 59-57. The Golden Bears closed the third quarter with a 12-3 spurt and never looked back.
Fish said the trip's most important mission was accomplished. "We're healthy, and that's a big deal," Fish said. "We were playing to win this game, and we wanted to win. But we had a great trip, I think everyone that was here with enjoyed the city of Calgary and the accommodations, and I would think the guys would have a little bur under the saddle after losing the last game."
Fish said he instructed the team to take the next seven days off, with "no basketball, no weights, nothing. Just enjoy the rest of the summer."
FINAL STATS: www.sidearmstats.com/calgary/mbball/
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