Montana State University
Sacramento State
GAME #25: Bobcats Look to Rebound Against Sac State in Bozeman
2/7/2018 3:38:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Montana State looks for revenge against Hornets squad after January loss
BOZEMAN, Montana – Montana State coach Brian Fish doesn't have to look far to find a priority for his Montana State men's basketball team when the Bobcats host Sacramento State on Thursday.
"They out-rebounded us by 10 last time," Fish said of the Hornets' 35-to-25 rebounding advantage when the teams played on January 13 in Sacramento. "That's an area where we'll need to improve."
The Bobcats look to get back on the winning track Thursday after a pair of road losses last weekend. Montana State (12-12 overall, 5-6 in Big Sky play) carry a +1.4 rebounding advantage in conference play against a Hornets team that is -4.2 in rebounding margin on the season. But Sac State big men Justin Strings (7.4 rebounds a game) and Joshua Patton (5.0) provide matchup challenges for the Bobcats.
Thursday's venue may provide the Cats a boost. MSU out-rebounds is opponents by three-and-a-half per game at home, while facing a similar deficit on the road. Keljin Blevins leads the way, snaring 7.3 a game at home.
The Bobcats hope that Worthington Arena provides a little shooting feel-good, as well. MSU shoots 41% on the league season, 11th in the Big Sky, and Sacramento State allows league foes to shoot 47%. Montana State shoots 45% at home this season, 39% on the road.
Strings and Patton form the heart of Sacramento State's offense. A senior, Strings scores 17.5 points a game, and does so in a dizzying array of ways. Patton chips in 10.3 points a game, mostly from inside, while Jordan Tolbert (38 three-pointers) and Izayah Mauriohooho-Le'afa (33) pace the squad from distance.
Both teams look to get healthy in Bozeman on Thursday. Sacramento State has lost four of five and seven of nine, while MSU has dropped six of seven. Tipoff is at 7 pm, and fans can catch the game around Montana on the Bobcat Radio Network and at msubobcats.com with Jay Sanderson calling the action. Video streaming is available on Pluto.tv on channel 238, and at WatchBigSky.com.
