(Editor’s note: Montana State University press release)
BOZEMAN – Montana State connected on just one-of-10 field goal attempts in the final four-minutes, while Portland State rattled off an 11-2 run, en route to a 62-53 victory on Saturday afternoon in Pamplin Sports Center.
Back-to-back three-pointers by Montana State (13-11, 7-6) freshman Tori Martell, sandwiched a Kiana Brown layup, and evened the score at 51-all with 4:25 remaining. Portland State’s (13-10, 7-5) Ashley Bolston scored eight of her 15 points down the stretch to put the game out of reach.
“We didn’t hit shots,” said MSU head coach Tricia Binford.
MSU finished shooting 35 percent from the field, which included just 23 percent from the floor in the final 20-minutes.
In a contest that featured six ties and five lead changes, the Bobcats held a 33-32 lead at intermission. MSU was paced in the opening two quarters by freshman Laura Pranger and senior Delany Junkermier with seven and six points, respectively.
The Vikings scored the opening basket of the third period and the Bobcats were never able to stake a lead. A Madeline Smith basket with 40-seconds left gave PSU a 45-43 cushion heading into the final quarter.
Montana State had three players reach double-figures led by Martell with a career-high 12 points, all coming from beyond the 3-point line. Junkermier and Smith added 11 and ten points, respectively.
“We did a lot of things really well and good things to build off of,” Binford said. “I loved our ball movement, and defensively, we made some steps in the right direction.”
Both teams recorded 35 rebounds and turned the ball over on ten occasions or less. MSU was paced under the glass by Junkermier with a game-high nine boards.
PSU held a sizeable advantage at the free throw line connecting on 16-of-20, while MSU converted three-of-four attempts.
The Vikings were led by Sidney Rielly with 19 points.
Montana State will host Idaho on Thursday night at 7 p.m. in Worthington Arena.
