Tuesday, November 26
BOZEMAN
7 p.m.
Montana State University
vs
Colorado Christian
Photo by: Kelly Gorham
Montana State Begins Three-Game Home Stretch in Bozeman Tuesday
11/25/2019 5:03:00 PM | Men's Basketball
The Bobcats make their return to Worthington Arena for the first time in 17 days when they host Colorado Christian at 7 p.m. Tuesday
| Montana State Bobcats (4-2) vs. Colorado Christian (0-4) | |
| Date and Time | Tuesday, Nov. 26 - 7 p.m. MDT |
| Location | Bozeman, Mont. |
| Site | Worthington Arena (6,772) |
| Radio | KMMS 1450 AM | Bobcat Sports Radio Network |
| Listen Live | msubobcats.com/watch | TuneIn app |
| Stream | Pluto TV (channel 538) | WatchBigSky.com |
| Live Stats | MSUBobcats.com (Statbroadcast) |
| Tickets | MSUBobcats.com/Tickets | Bobcat Ticket Office |
| Montana State | Game Notes | Men's Basketball Home Page |
| Colorado Christian | Men's Basketball Home Page |
The 17-day period between home games for the Montana State men's basketball program may not seem like it's been long since the Bobcats have played in their home confines. But the team is looking forward to playing in front of its own fan base over the next two weeks.
Montana State opens up a three game home stand on Tuesday when the Bobcats take on Colorado Christian in Worthington Arena at 7 p.m. The home stand includes a Nov. 30 matchup versus Green Bay and a Dec. 5 game against South Dakota State which is part of a doubleheader in Brick Breeden Fieldhouse. The three consecutive games in their home arena will be most for the Bobcats this season, while MSU has two occasions left where it will play three straight road games.
"Just getting back into the Brick Breeden Fieldhouse," Sprinkle said of what the team is looking forward to. "Playing in front of our fans. Even though it's only been about two weeks, it seems like forever because we were gone for so long. Just having the energy back in the Fieldhouse and playing on our own court (will be nice)."
The Bobcats fell in their last outing as Grand Canyon picked up a 69-56 victory over MSU in Phoenix on Nov. 19. The defeat ended a Bobcat four-game winning streak and road trip which featured MSU playing four games in five days.
Montana State won all three of its games at the Spartan Invitational hosted by UNCG from Nov. 15-17. The Bobcats' undefeated trip to Greensboro served as the first time MSU has went 3-0 in a three-game regular season tournament since the 1966-67 season. That year, MSU defeated Texas, Temple and Oklahoma City at the All-College Tournament in Oklahoma City.
"It's been a well needed week off," Sprinkle said. "Obviously we were gone seven straight days, played four games in five days against four high level opponents. All four of the games were intense games, emotional games, but I'm proud of the guys for how they competed."
MSU is looking to earn its fifth victory of the season when it hosts Colorado Christian. A win Tuesday would be the second earliest date in a decade the Bobcats recorded five overall victories. While the Bobcats had five wins by the end of November during the 2017-18 season, the 2010-11 season saw MSU earn its fifth win of the schedule on Nov. 24.
Montana State's defense has been an area of strength so far this season. Through six games, opponents are averaging 61.8 points per game and shooting 35.2% from the field. Those marks are second best in the Big Sky Conference. The Bobcats' scoring defense ranks 80th in the nation and its field goal percentage defense is 19th best in Division I basketball.
Harald Frey has been MSU's leader on the court as a senior in several categories. Frey currently leads the Big Sky Conference in total assists (34), assists per game (5.7) and free throw percentage (92.6%). He also is second in free throws made (25), minutes per game (36:20), and 3-pointers made (15). He's among the top 50 nationally in assists and minutes played. He is currently MSU's leader in scoring (16.7), assists (85.7) and rebounding (6.0) per game.
Frey continues to move up Montana State's all-time charts. His 1,474 career points are just 23 away from tying him with head coach Danny Sprinkle for seventh in program history. Frey currently sits third in 3-point field goals (224) and fourth in assists (406).
Jubrile Belo put together his best performance to date as a Bobcat in MSU's loss to Grand Canyon. Belo played a career-high 29 minutes and notched personal highs of 17 points and 3 blocks. Belo's average per 40 minute marks this season nearly total a double-double at 20.7 points and 9.6 rebounds. His 28-for-38 tally from the field is good for the third best field goal percentage (73.7%) in the Big Sky.
Montana State and Colorado Christian have met one prior time when the Bobcats hosted the Cougars on Nov. 17, 2009. Junior Erik Rush scored a career-high 25 points, while Bobby Howard added 19, to lead MSU to a 68-58 win. Colorado Christian led 32-29 with three minutes remaining in the first half, but MSU scores six straight points to take a lead at the half and wouldn't look back.
"It's going to be a huge home stand," Sprinkle said. "One of our goals is to go undefeated at home. It all starts tomorrow night."
All three of Montana State's next three home contests will be available to stream on the Pluto TV app and on WatchBigSky.com. The MSU doubleheader on Dec. 5 that opens with the Bobcat women hosting Gonzaga will be televised by SWX Montana. All Bobcat basketball games are available to listen to as part of the Bobcat Sports Radio Network.
Players Mentioned
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