Torrid Northern Colorado Free Throw Shooting Sinks Bobcats

Thursday, February 10

7:05 PM

Montana State University

Northern Colorado

Erik Rush scored 22 points against NC on Thursday.

Photo by: Kelly Gorham

Torrid Northern Colorado Free Throw Shooting Sinks Bobcats

2/10/2011 10:54:58 PM | Men's Basketball

MSU falls to league-leading Bears

By: Bill Lamberty

Northern Colorado drained 17 of its 18 free throws in the game's final 10 minutes, holding off Montana State 86-77. The Bears finished the game 37-for-30 from the free throw line.

“That's why they are where they are,” Bobcat coach Brad Huse said of Northern Colorado's composure down the stretch. “They have a good core of seniors that played very well.”

The Bobcats battled league-leading NC, taking a 63-61 lead at the 6:45 makr on Erik Rush's layup. After a Bears turnover MSU had a chance to build on the lead, but Bobby Howard's short jumper rimmed out and Devon Beitzel gave Northern Colorado the lead for good with a three-pointer.

Beitzel controlled the game offensively, scoring 31 ponts on 9-for-13 shooting, including a 4-for-6 night from beyond the arc. He also sank all nine of his free throws. Mike Proctor added 10 points for the Bears, while Chris Kaba snagged 11 rebounds.

Erik Rush helped lead Montana State's offense out of its recent doldrums, scoring more than 61 points for the first time in five games. Rush scored 22 points with two assists and three steals. Freshman Shawn Reid added 21 points.

Northern Colorado raised its record to 14-9 on the season and 10-2 in the Big Sky, while the Bobcats fall to 11-13 overall and 5-7 in the league. MSU looks to snap a six-game losing streak on Altitude's Big Sky Game of the Week Sunday against Sacramento State. Tipoff is 12 noon.