Montana State University
11-15,6-7Big Sky
Weber State
9-17,3-9Big Sky
Bobcats Shut the Door on Weber State
2/13/2025 10:34:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Montana State controls from the jump in 74-66 win over Weber State on Thursday night to sweep season series with Wildcats for just the second time since 2005
BOZEMAN, Mont. -- Montana State led from the opening tip and continued their strong play at home this season with a 74-66 win over Weber State on Thursday night at Worthington Arena.
Montana State (11-15, 6-7) saw their 15-point lead in the second half trimmed to just three at the under-4 media timeout, but rallied to score ten of the last 15 points of the game to sweep the season series with Weber State (9-17, 3-9).
"When [Weber State] cut it to three, we were able to close it out well," head coach Matt Logie said. "That's a step for this team—trying to figure out closing lineups and who's going to handle the ball and organize us, who's our defensive five, who's our rebounding five, and what does the opponent present that's the biggest challenge at that time. It was great to finish strong like that."
Montana State never trailed in the game, building a 23-8 lead ten minutes in and staying in front by double-digits for a 16-minute stretch that spanned the close of the first half into the first stage of the second half.
Jabe Mullins led the way with 17 points on 5 of 7 shooting with four rebounds.
"I thought our guys did a good job executing early to build a lead," Logie said. "Defensively we were very good in the first half as well holding them to 34% from the field. Our goal for the game was to hold them under 45% and we held them to 41%. I thought the way we shared the ball with four guys in double-figures, limited turnovers ,and held them off the offensive glass with only three offensive rebounds was good. It wasn't perfect, but when you can play okay and win by eight, you have to be pleased with that."
Seven different Bobcats connected on a 3-pointer in the first half, as MSU found soft spots in the Weber State zone defense to the tune of a 7 for 18 hit rate from long range.
The Bobcats led 38-25 at the break, holding the Wildcats to just 34.6% shooting from the floor and 1 of 8 from beyond the arc.
In the second half, Weber State put the ball in Blaise Threatt's hands and watched the senior will them back into contention.
Threatt finished with 32 points, seven rebounds, and six assists, scoring 23 in the second half alone as Weber State chipped away at a 15-point deficit.
A Threatt bucket cut the Montana State advantage to 62-59 with 4:17 to play.
Coming out of the media timeout, the Bobcat duo out of Mount Si High School took matters into their own hands, scoring seven of the game's next nine points.
A pair of free throws from Tyler Patterson was followed by a spinning layup from Jabe Mullins. Moments later, Patterson hit a 3-pointer that lifted the crowd to its feet and gave Montana State a 69-61 cushion with 1:45 to play.
Patrick McMahon and Mullins made their free throws down the stretch to help Montana State seal the deal and sweep the regular season series with Weber State for the first time since 2020 and just the second time since 2005.
Mullins was one of four Cats in double-figures, with Brandon Walker adding 13 points and six boards, McMahon scoring 11 with five rebounds off the bench, and Tyler Patterson knocking down a pair of triples on the way to ten points.
Max Agbonkpolo chipped in nine points and three rebounds, while Sam Lecholat recorded five points and a team-high seven rebounds.
Montana State out-rebounded Weber State 36-32, holding the Wildcats to just three offensive boards and only three second-chance points.
Montana State is now 9-2 at home this season and has won five of their six home games against Big Sky opponents.
UP NEXT
Montana State faces Idaho State on Saturday night at Worthington Arena.
Tip is set for 6 p.m.
The game will be streamed on ESPN+, with live radio play-by-play airing on the Bobcat Sports Network.
Idaho State (11-12, 6-6) fell 81-68 to Montana in Missoula on Thursday.
#GoCatsGo
