Montana State University
Montana
Grizzlies Start Fast, Never Look Back in Beating Bobcats
1/22/2011 10:08:30 PM | Men's Basketball
Qvale Paces UM
Montana started fast and finished strong, overpowering the Bobcats 75-61 in Missoula on Saturday.
Grizzly big men Brian Qvale and Derek Selvig combined for 29 points and 24 rebounds and guard Will Cherry added 16 points to lead Montana. The Grizzlies outscored MSU 36-16 in the paint, 13-7 on fast break points, and MSU's 12 turnovers led to 19 UM points.
Montana set the tone early, forcing turnovers on four of MSU's first six possessions in rading to a 12-2 lead. "I thought the early turnovers were really crucial," said MSU coach Brad Huse. "They were able to turn those into baskets and threes and they really got going."
MSU played uphill the entire game, but managed to make it interesting at times. MSU drew to withing six early, then after Montana opened up a 17-point first half lead MSU scored 10 straight to cut the lead to 32-25 with 3:14 to play in the half.
MSU's runcam with Selvig and Qvale each on the bench with two personal fouls. "They found themselves in some foul trouble and we had it down to seven," Huse said. "But I thought at times we got in a hurry in the first half, jumping off of what we need to do to be successful."
Montana finished the first on a 6-3 run, then started the second half on an 11-6 run to reassert control. Montana's lead never shrunk to single digits in the second half.
Cody Anderson led MSU in scoring with 13 points, while Danny Piepoli and Rod Singleton each added 12. Bobby Howard registered a double-double, with 10 points and 12 rebounds.
Montana State won't have long to stew over Saturady's loss. The Bobcats head to Pocatello Sunday for a Monday night tilt against Idaho State. Tipoff is 7:05 pm.
