Yellowstone Times

MSU Post Play Too Much as Cats Hold-off Final UM 3-point Barrage

Montana State post players Kola Bad Bear and Lexi Deden combined for 40 points shooting 65.4% and held off Montana, who connected on six 3-pointers with just over 4 minutes remaining, but it wasn't enough as the Bobcats converted five-of-six from the line in the final 23-seconds to put a cap on a season sweep over the Lady Griz, 75-73, on Saturday afternoon in front of 3,444 fans in Worthington Arena.

"Our interior play was phenomenal," said MSU head coach Tricia Binford. "The guards did an excellent job getting them the ball. Kola and Lexi combined for 14 of 24 points in the opening quarter, and that really helped us set the tone."

Montana State (19-8, 12-3) point-guard Darian White also chipped in 10-points by intermission as the Bobcats entered halftime with a 35-33 advantage. Both MSU and Montana (13-13, 9-6) shot 41.7% from the floor in the opening 20-minutes.

As it did in Missoula on Jan. Jan. 21 to open the third frame, the Bobcats outscored the Lady Griz 15-7 as Bad Bear's triple from the top of the key with 40 seconds left, gave MSU a 50-40 cushion heading into the final period. The Bobcats are 18-0 with a lead heading into the last 10-minutes.

"The third quarter was key," Binford said. "Again, Lexi and Kola went to work building a 14-point cushion and the assist by Leia Beattie on Kola's layin with around four-minutes left was big-time."

The Bobcats held a 62-48 lead with 4 minutes, 38 seconds remaining.

"We felt pretty good but teams like Montana never backdown," Binford stated. "They knocked down shots, but we were able to weather the storm. We did just enough to close out the game."

Bad Bear matched a career-high and led both squads with 23 points hitting 9-of-11, a pair of triples and a 3-of-3 effort at the line. White ended with 19 points and a game-best eight rebounds and six assists. The Boise, Idaho product scored nine points in the fourth quarter. Deden finished with 17 points on eight-of-15 from the field.

Libby Stump paced Montana with 20 points.

Montana State outshot Montana 46.2% to 42.1%, but the Lady Griz connected on 11-27 from long distance. The Bobcats held a slight advantage under the boards, outrebounding Montana 38-35. MSU also held a commanding 44-22 margin in the paint.

MSU plays at Sacramento State on Thursday night at 8 p.m. (MT).

Original source can be found here.