Montana State Falls Short in Big Sky Opener Against Idaho
MOSCOW, Idaho — The Montana State men’s basketball team fell to Idaho 69-64 in their Big Sky Conference opener on Thursday evening at ICCU Arena. A sluggish first half left the Bobcats trailing 30-25, but they rallied in the second period, briefly taking a 61-60 lead on a key 3-pointer from Brian Goracke with just over three minutes remaining.
Despite the lead, Montana State (5-9) struggled to maintain momentum in the final moments. Coach Matt Logie acknowledged the team’s offensive struggles, saying, “We let the ball stick too much, missed layups, and free throws. We didn’t make enough plays.”
In a standout performance, Patrick McMahon matched his career-high with 15 points, including 12 in the second half, demonstrating aggression around the rim with impressive dunks. Goracke also tallied 14 points off the bench, contributing significantly in the closing minutes.
After Goracke’s pivotal shot put the Bobcats ahead, Idaho quickly countered with a three-pointer, regaining control. In the dying seconds, Goracke intercepted an inbounds pass to score, narrowing the gap to 65-64. However, the Vandals sealed the game with a dunk and clutch free throws.
Montana State’s shooting woes continued, finishing 22 of 57 (38.6%) from the field and only 6 of 27 (22.2%) from beyond the arc. Tyler Patterson scored 10 points, while Jabe Mullins and Max Agbonkpolo added nine and eight points, respectively.
Looking ahead, Montana State aims for redemption in their next game against Eastern Washington this Saturday at 3 p.m. Mountain time. Coach Logie remains optimistic, stating that a quick recovery and strong performance in their next matchup will be crucial for their season.
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