Montana State University
Northern Arizona
Second-half surge leads Bobcats to win over Northern Arizona
2/3/2011 10:04:16 PM | Women's Basketball
Montana State junior Katie Bussey erupted for 24 second-half points, including five three-pointers, to lift the Bobcats to an 80-64 win over Northern Arizona, Thursday night in Worthington Arena.
Montana State junior Katie Bussey erupted for 24 second-half points, including five three-pointers, to lift the Bobcats to an 80-64 win over Northern Arizona, Thursday night in Worthington Arena.
Bussey, who scored a game-high 28 points, shot just one-of-seven from the field in the opening stanza before finding her stroke. The Alamosa, Colo., native also added nine rebounds, five assists and a steal.
Montana State (13-9, 7-1) trailed 27-22 at intermission after shooting 30 percent from the field and committing ten turnovers.
“We settled down and started executing,” said Bussey, referring to the difference between the first and second half. “We played as a team. I got some good open looks and knocked down a few, and my confidence was back.”
Northern Arizona (7-14, 2-6) scored the opening basket of the second stanza to push its lead to seven points before the Bobcats responded with a 10-0 run to take a 32-29 lead following an Ausha Cole triple.
“We were more aggressive and got our transition game going,” said MSU head coach Tricia Binford. “We really started getting into a nice flow offensively and that was the key.”
Leading by one point at the 14:49 mark, MSU sealed the game with a 16-4 run capped again by a Cole three-pointer.
In all, four Bobcat players reached double-figure scoring. Also in double-digits were Sarah Balian 16, Lyndi Seidensticker 14 and Rachel Semansky 12.
MSU shot 47 percent from the field, including a red hot 65 percent in the second stanza. The Bobcats also held a 41-33 rebounding edge.
The Bobcats were paced under the glass by Bussey and Semansky with nine apiece, while Balian added seven rebounds.
Northern Arizona was led by Amy Patton with 21 points, including three treys.
MSU will host Weber State on Saturday night at 7 p.m., in Worthington Arena.
