Montana State University
0-2,0-0Big Sky
Wichita State
2-0,0-0AAC
Shockers Hand Bobcats 89-69 Defeat in Wichita
11/9/2024 8:30:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Bobcats overcome early hole with furious second-half rally, but fall on the road to talented Wichita State team picked fourth in the American Athletic Conference
WICHITA, Kan. -- Five Bobcats finished in double-figures, but Wichita State's fast start allowed the Shockers to hand Montana State an 89-69 setback at Charles Koch Arena in Wichita on Saturday.
The Shockers (2-0) got off to a lightning-quick start, leading 15-2 at the under-16 media timeout in the first half. Wichita State's aggressiveness in getting downhill paid off, as they went 15-for-27 on two-point field goal attempts and hit 7-of-8 free throws in the first half.
"Number one, you have to credit Wichita State," head coach Matt Logie said. "They came out and hit us right in the mouth early. Unfortunately, by the time we adjusted to their speed, it was 15-2 and then we were able to figure out some things offensively. We were able to get into halftime and regroup and then you saw the spirit of this team, which I was really proud of, for really the last 36 minutes of the game. If you take those first four minutes out, I thought there was another stretch in the second half where we actually did some really technically-sound things defensively."
After the Shockers came out firing to build a big lead, Montana State (0-2) battled back from down 18 in the first half to make it just a six-point game at 52-46 with 16:40 to play.
Trailing 46-31 going into the locker room, the Cats roared out of the halftime break, ripping off a 15-6 run to start the period and cut the deficit to six.
After being held scoreless in the first half, Brandon Walker came out with a vengeance to start the second half—scoring seven points in the first two-and-a-half minutes and putting up 13 altogether in the second half alone.
Jumpers from Jabe Mullins and Max Agbonkpolo highlighted the big second-half spurt for the Bobcats, but Wichita State rallied to stretch the lead back out again.
A made 3-pointer by Brian Goracke and an elbow jump shot from Walker brought MSU within eight points at 66-58 with 8:46 to go, but the Cats failed to get closer the rest of the way.
Walker's 13 points, all coming in the second half, led the way for Montana State.
Goracke hit three 3-pointers off the bench and finished with 11 points, while Tyler Patterson also hit a trio of threes and tallied 11 points.
Patrick McMahon ended the night with ten points and four rebounds, and Jabe Mullins chipped in ten points.
Montana State attempted 43 of their 67 shots from beyond the arc, finishing 12-of-43 (28.0%). Wichita State (2-0) did most of their damage inside, outscoring the Cats 52-24 in the paint.
For the game, Wichita State only turned the ball over six times.
Max Agbonkpolo finished with six points and five rebounds, while Bryce Zephir added six points, three rebounds, and three assists.
"We'll continue to do the right things, play the right way, and have the spirit and attitude that we did," Logie said. "You're not going to face a lot of environments and teams like this in our conference. That's why we play these games early. I'm incredibly proud of our guys' fight. We're all disappointed in how we started, but there's a ton to learn from this experience, and we'll do that."
UP NEXT
Montana State returns to Bozeman for their home opener against Northwest Indian College on Monday, November 11, at Worthington Arena.
Tip is set for 7 p.m.
Prior to the game, the Bobcats will unveil their 2024 Big Sky Tournament Championship banner, as well as recognize three-time Big Sky champion Carter Ash ('24).
Tickets are available here.
#GoCatsGo
