Montana State University
Montana
Bobcats Bend But Don’t Break in Win over Lady Griz
1/22/2011 8:45:29 PM | Women's Basketball
The Montana State women’s basketball team built a 17-point second-half cushion only to see Montana even the score down the stretch, but clutch baskets and free throws propelled the Bobcats to a 72-69 victory over the Lady Griz, Saturday afternoon in Dahlberg Arena to remain atop the Big Sky Conference standings.
The Montana State women's basketball team built a 17-point second-half cushion only to see Montana even the score down the stretch, but clutch baskets and free throws propelled the Bobcats to a 72-69 victory over the Lady Griz, Saturday afternoon in Dahlberg Arena to remain atop the Big Sky Conference standings.
“Our kids just gutted it out and gave us a great effort,” said MSU head coach Tricia Binford. “In an environment like this, and the home team on a good run, we could've folded our tents, but we dug deep and found a little extra and made the plays we needed to win the game.”
Montana State (11-8, 5-0) took its largest lead at 49-32 following a Katie Bussey three-pointer with 15:53 remaining. Montana (8-11, 3-3) responded taking advantage of MSU turnovers and shooting woes to whittle the margin to 58-56 on a Jordan Sullivan basket with 8:05 left.
MSU's senior tandem of Sarah Balian and Lyndi Seidensticker then combined for five straight points to push the Bobcats' lead back to seven points.
Again, the Lady Griz rattled off a run to knot the score at 67-all following a pair of Sarah Ena free throws at the 2:50 mark.
With the score tied at 69-all and 14-seconds remaining, Bobcat freshman Ausha Cole sank the front end of a one-and-one to give MSU the lead. Cole missed her second attempt, but sophomore Rachel Semansky battled for the offensive board and the possession went to Montana State.
Balian was fouled on the in-bounds and converted two free throws to give MSU a three-point advantage. UM's attempt to force overtime was thwarted as Bussey stole the ball away from Katie Baker to give the Bobcats its second straight win in Dahlberg Arena and move its current winning streak to nine games.
“It was a game where everyone made a contribution,” Binford said. “Rachel (Semansky) is just a blue-collar worker and did all the little things like getting the last rebound. I can go down the line and find an instance where someone made a difference.”
Semansky (Highwood) finished with 21 points and nine rebounds. The 6-foot sophomore was perfect from the field until missing her first shot with 5:37 left. Semansky connected on nine-of-10 from the field, including a three-pointer.
Seidensticker led all scorers with 22 points, including 17 points in the second half. She also dished out a career-high seven assists.
Also in double-digits for MSU was Balian with 11 points. Cole finished the game with eight points and five assists.
UM was led by Baker with 14 points and eight rebounds.
The Bobcats will host Idaho State on Monday night in Worthington Arena.
