Montana State University
6-7,1-1Big Sky
Weber State
9-4,2-0Big Sky
Montana State Suffers 86-64 Defeat on the Road at Weber State
12/30/2023 4:29:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Bobcats struggle to find defensive rhythm in Big Sky loss to the Wildcats on Saturday in Ogden
OGDEN, Utah – Preseason Big Sky favorite Weber State flexed their size and athleticism in handing Montana State their first conference loss of the season on Saturday afternoon, an 86-64 defeat at Dee Events Center in Ogden, Utah.
Weber State (9-4, 2-0 Big Sky) out-rebounded the Cats, 42-26, and rode their star Dillon Jones to the tune of 29 points, 13 rebounds, and six assists.
Montana State (6-7, 1-1 Big Sky) was led by Eddie Turner III, who matched his career-high for the second game in a row with 18 points, four rebounds, and four assists.
"Weber is a very physical team at multiple positions," head coach Matt Logie said. "Their guards are very strong and attack downhill, and obviously Dillon Jones is a tremendous player. I was really happy with our execution offensively. In the first half, I thought we got terrific shots. We forced them out of their base defense, and they had to change. Unfortunately we just weren't able to get enough stops, loose balls, and stay out of foul trouble to keep things close and get a chance to make a run. That's what good teams do—they're an experienced group, they play well together, and we'll learn a lot from this."
The Bobcats hung with the Wildcats throughout the majority of the game outside of a pair of big runs that distanced the home team on the way to the end result.
In the first half, Weber State ripped off a 22-4 run after leading Montana State by just a point at 19-18 with 10:41 remaining in the first half.
The Wildcats forced a handful of Bobcat turnovers and muscled their way to baskets down low, getting ten first-half points from center Alex Tew.
The Cats closed strong, however, as Tyler Patterson knocked down a pair of 3-pointers and Eddie Turner connected on a pair of triples as well. Montana State hit four of their last five shots and went into the halftime break trailing, 43-34.
Turner recorded 11 points in the opening frame, including hitting three-of-four 3-pointers, while Patterson knocked down four 3-pointers and went into the locker room with 12 points.
In the second half, Montana State again fought to within 12 points at 65-53 with 10:36 left, but Weber State closed strong down the stretch, going to Jones again and again to create scoring opportunities. Meanwhile on the other side of the floor, MSU went 11-of-29 from the floor (37.9%) and 1-of-6 from deep, struggling to break the seal on the basket.
Weber State, who boasted one of the nation's best defenses allowing just 59.7 points per game, did well holding Montana State's top two scorers in check.
Robert Ford III and Brian Goracke had tough days offensively, combining for eight points on 3-of-14 shooting as the Wildcats hemmed them in.
Brandon Walker was a bright spot for the Cats, recording 17 points and four rebounds before fouling out late.
"Brandon was good, he was physical and got to his spots," Logie said. "Obviously we had some other guys not play as well offensively as they have been some other nights, and to beat a team like that you have to play really well. I thought we did some good things but there's a lot of areas to grow."
Weber State outscored Montana State in the paint, 44-26, and shot 57.1% from the floor overall. The Wildcats' aggressiveness inside resulted in them shooting 35 free throws compared to 14 for the Bobcats.
Montana State connected on 7-of-16 attempts from beyond the arc in the first half, but made just one 3-pointer in the second 20 minutes. Despite that, the Cats were able to construct good things offensively, moving the ball and tallying 17 assists on 24 made field goals.
Turner, who had a career-high 18 points in Thursday's win over Idaho State, matched that for the second game in a row while staying efficient from the field on 7-of-13 shooting.
Walker ended his day with 17 points and Patterson chipped in 14, but no other Cats finished with more than four points.
UP NEXT
Montana State will participate in the first-ever Big Sky-Summit Challenge, hosting Oral Roberts in a big non-conference clash at Worthington Arena on Wednesday, January 3, at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets are available here.
#GoCatsGo
