Ewe Bet: Montana State Women Slay Rams

Tuesday, November 29

Bozeman, MT

7:05 p.m.

Montana State University

COLORADO STATE

Sophomore Ashley Albert drives for two of her 13 points in MSU's 87-69 win over Colorado State, Tuesday night in Worthington Arena.

Photo by: R. Dean Hendrickson

11/29/2011 10:15:00 PM | Women's Basketball

The Montana State women’s basketball team put 47 first-half points on the board behind a balanced attack that saw five players in double-figures as the Bobcats cruised to an 87-69 win over Colorado State, Tuesday night in Worthington Arena.

By: Tom Schulz

The Montana State women's basketball team put 47 first-half points on the board behind a balanced attack that saw five players in double-figures as the Bobcats cruised to an 87-69 win over Colorado State, Tuesday night in Worthington Arena.

Montana State (5-2) trailed early as Colorado State (1-5) jumped out to a quick 8-2 advantage. MSU responded with a 15-1 run over the next five minutes and never looked back. The run was sparked by five points apiece from Katie Bussey and Ashley Albert.

MSU took its largest lead of the opening stanza at 45-28 following a Rachel Semansky free throw prior to intermission.

“I thought we really did a nice job pushing the tempo and knocking down the open shots,” said MSU head coach Tricia Binford. “When Katie (Bussey) gets going it makes everything that much easier.

“I really thought we had great production from everyone,” Binford said. “We got into a little foul trouble, but someone was always there to pick us up.”

Bussey, a native of Alamosa, Colo., scored 16 points in the first stanza on her way to a team-high 20 points. Also in double-figures for the Bobcats were Albert 13, Chelsea Banis 12, Semansky 10 and Ausha Cole 10.

In the second half, the Rams chipped the lead down to 12 points with six-minutes remaining, but the Bobcats answered with a 10-2 run and cruised down the stretch.

For the game, Montana State shot 52 percent from the field, while holding Colorado State to 38 percent. MSU also clamped down on CSU's leading scorer Kim Mestdagh. Mestdagh, the preseason pick for Mountain West Conference player of the year accolades, went 0-of-9 from the field and scored just two points from the free throw line.

Montana State also forced Colorado State into 19 turnovers. The Bobcats had only four miscues in the first half, but gave the ball up 14 times in the final period. The Rams also held a 45-39 advantage under the boards.

“We certainly need to clean some things up,” Binford said. “I thought we forced the ball into the post a little too much in the second half, but that is something that can be easily fixed.

“We also had some lapses under the boards,” Binford added. “We need to learn that even when our legs get a little heavy, we still need to box-out.”

MSU was led in rebounding by Semansky with eight rebounds, while Bussey added six boards from the guard position.

Adams, MSU's starting point-guard, connected on 4-of-6 from behind the three-point arc to guide the Bobcats from long distance. She also dished out four assists.

CSU was paced in the loss by Sam Martin with 21 points and five rebounds.

Montana State will host Utah State on Friday at 7 p.m., in Worthington Arena.