Montana State University
3-5,0-0Big Sky
Washington
5-3,0-0Pac-12
Cats Drop Road Contest at Washington, 85-61
12/5/2023 11:17:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Robert Ford III leads four Bobcats in double figures with 13
SEATTLE -- Washington used their size advantage to cause problems for Montana State on the defensive end and on the glass, handing the Bobcats an 85-61 defeat on Tuesday night at Alaska Airlines Arena in Seattle, Washington.
The Bobcats (3-5) went punch-for-punch with the Huskies through the first ten minutes thanks to three quick Tyler Patterson triples in his first career matchup against the team the Snoqualmie, Wash., native grew up rooting for.
Montana State took a 20-19 lead with 10:03 left in the first half on a Brian Goracke three, but it proved to be their only lead of the night, as Washington ripped off a 20-2 run over the next seven minutes and never looked back.
Washington (5-3) out-rebounded Montana State, 44-26, pulling down 15 offensive boards en route to 18 second-chance points.
"I thought our intentions were really solid tonight," head coach Matt Logie said. "We did some good things early. Didn't see some shots drop in the first half that might have kept it a little bit closer at the half, but you have to tip your hat to Washington too. They're a very talented team, and when you miss shots and turn it over, they're really good at converting in transition. Our guys' heads are right in the fight, and I know our eyes are all forward. We've got ten days now we get to practice without any sort of results to worry about, and just keep grinding and get prepared for the next one."
Patterson would finish the night with 12 points on 4-of-10 shooting from deep, while Robert Ford III collected a team-high 13 points to go along with five rebounds and three steals.
Brian Goracke added 12 points, and Sam Lecholat finished with 11 off the bench.
Washington enjoyed a stellar shooting night, finishing 32-of-61 from the floor (52%) and 8-of-16 from three (50%). The Huskies' length and athleticism bothered the Bobcats to the tune of a season-high 18 turnovers, helping lead to transition buckets.
Montana State tallied 11 steals in the loss, with Ford's three complemented by multiple nabs from Patterson, Eddie Turner III, and Chika Nduka.
The Bobcats made it a 17-point deficit on a Goracke layup with 17:17 to go in the game, but the Huskies rattled off another 22-6 run to put the game away for good.
Nine Bobcats saw at least 12 minutes of action in the contest.
UP NEXT
Montana State will have a chance to reset, getting ten days off before returning to action against SAGU American Indian College at Worthington Arena on Saturday, December 16.
#GoCatsGo
