(Editor's note: Montana State University media release)
BOZEMAN -- The Montana State women’s basketball team had its lowest offensive output since losing to Idaho State 62-49 on Feb. 14, 2019. Northern Colorado held off the Bobcats down the stretch to post a 57-49 victory on Saturday afternoon in Worthington Arena.
Northern Colorado (3-8, 2-4) held Montana State (4-4, 1-1) to just seven points in the second quarter limiting MSU to 33.3% from the field. The Bears held a 29-21 advantage at intermission.
Montana State came out in the third frame with a 13-6 run capped by a Darian White old-fashion three-point play to pull to within 35-34 at the 5:02 mark. It proved to be the closest the Bobcats would come to taking the lead as UNC answered with back-to-back triples.
“We found ways to lose this game,” said Montana State head coach Tricia Binford. “You’ve got to execute, and we certainly didn’t do that. I thought we were super soft and Northern Colorado was tougher than us today. We need to grow up and mature.
“We were impatient on the offensive end and we’re young in that area and it’s showing in our field-goal percentage,” she added. “I was really discouraged on our lack of boxouts on free throws and things that we can control. I thought we defeated ourselves.”
MSU pulled to within 41-37 as Katelynn Limardo scored on an offensive put-back as the clock expired to end the third period. The Bears took a six-point lead with 7-minutes, 46-seconds remaining and MSU was never able to get over the hump.
The Bobcats closed the margin to five points on two occasions in the final frame, the last coming with 41-seconds left on a pair of White charity tosses. UNC closed out the contest connecting on six-of-eight free throws.
Gabby Mocchi led MSU with 11 points, including a three-of-five performance from long distance. White also hit double-digits with 10 points, including a four-of-five outing at the line. Montana State ended the game shooting 30.3% from the floor, including 8-of-24 from beyond the arc.
UNC finished shooting 44.2% from the field and 61.5% (8-14) from distance. The Bears were led by Micayla Isenbart with 15 points.
Northern Colorado won the battle of the boards, outrebounding Montana State 39-33. White led the Bobcats with 10 rebounds to post her second double-double of the season.
Montana State will play at Portland State on Thursday, Jan. 14 in the Rose City.
