Montana State Falls to Idaho in Big Sky Opener
MOSCOW, Idaho – The Montana State men’s basketball team suffered a challenging start to their Big Sky season, falling 69-64 to Idaho at ICCU Arena on Thursday night. The Bobcats (5-9, 0-1) struggled in the first half, scoring just 25 points and trailing by five at halftime.
Coach Matt Logie noted the team’s slow start, saying, "We let the ball stick a little too much, we missed layups and free throws… At the end of the day, we didn’t make enough plays." However, a strong second half showcased the Bobcats’ determination as they rallied to take a 61-60 lead via a Brian Goracke three-pointer with just over three minutes remaining.
Patrick McMahon shone for Montana State, tying his career-high with 15 points, including 12 in the second half. His aggressive play helped push the team closer despite a tough first half. Goracke contributed 14 points off the bench, including a key scoring burst in the closing minutes. Despite their late-game efforts, crucial free throws from Idaho sealed Montana State’s fate.
Logie expressed optimism about the second-half performance, recognizing the importance of a bounce-back victory as they prepare to face Eastern Washington on Saturday, “If you can bounce back and win your second game after a tough loss, that says a lot about your team. That’s the goal now.”
Montana State’s upcoming game against Eastern Washington is scheduled for January 4 at 3 p.m. MT, where they hope to turn the tide and secure their first conference win. The game will be broadcasted on SWX and ESPN+.
GoCatsGo
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