Bussey's Record-Breaking Night Leads Bobcats to Win over NAU

Thursday, February 16

Flagstaff, AZ

6:35 p.m.

Montana State University

NORTHERN ARIZONA

Photo by: R. Dean Hendrickson

Bussey's Record-Breaking Night Leads Bobcats to Win over NAU

2/16/2012 10:10:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Katie Bussey became the all-time Big Sky Conference three-point makes leader as the Bobcats handed Northern Arizona an 83-78 setback on Thursday night.

By: Tom Schulz

BOXSCORE: MONTANA STATE 83, NORTHERN ARIZONA 78

Montana State's Katie Bussey connected on a three-pointer to open the game, setting the all-time Big Sky Conference record for career triples (239), and help the Bobcats to an 83-78 win over Northern Arizona, Thursday night in the Rolle Activity Center.

Bussey, a senior from Alamosa, Colo., finished with a game-high 24 points, including four three-pointers. Her career mark stands at 242 3-pointers, surpassing the old mark of 238 held by Weber State's Chelsey Warburton.

Montana State (17-9, 9-5) jumped out to a quick start and built a 13-point lead following a Kalli Durham three-pointer. Northern Arizona (8-18, 3-11) answered back and closed to within one point at intermission.

“I was really pleased with our start,” said MSU head coach Tricia Binford. “Then I thought we got a little complacent on defense. We challenged some kids at halftime and they came out and got the job done in the second half. I'm very proud of their effort.”

The second half featured seven ties, before the Bobcats went on an 11-0 run over the course of three minutes, sparked by a six-of-six effort from the free throw line.

NAU's Amy Patton hit a jumper with 1:18 left to pull the Lumberjacks to within three points, but MSU converted 9-of-10 from the line down the stretch to put the game away.

“It was one of those games where we got a lot of great individual performances,” Binford said. “But, when you put it all together come away with a solid team victory.”

MSU had a balanced offensive attack as five players reached double-digit scoring led by Bussey, and followed by Chelsea Banis 14, Ashley Albert 12, Rachel Semansky 11 and Durham 11.

For the game, the Bobcats shot 44 percent from the field, including 50 percent in the second period. MSU also connected on 23-of-26 free throw attempts.

NAU out-rebounded MSU 40-39. MSU was led under the boards by Semansky and Banis with eight and six rebounds, respectively.

MSU's backcourt duo of Ausha Cole and Latisha Adams combined for nine points and 12 assists.

The Lumberjacks were paced in the loss by Patton with a team-high 20 points.

Montana State is idle until it faces Montana in Missoula on Feb. 25.