Montana State guard Will Bynum stole a Montana pass with nine seconds remaining and converted a layup and a free throw to lead the Bobcats over the Montana Grizzlies in first-round Big Sky Conference tourney action before 5210 fans at Dahlberg Arena Saturday.
The Bobcats advance to a semifinal contest against the host Weber State Wildcats on March 10 in Ogden, Utah.
PHOTO LEFT: Montana's Anthony Johnson drives against Marquis Navarre for two of his game-high 19 points in the Cats' 56-54 win over the Griz Saturday. Johnson had assists points and only two turnovers in the game.
Bynum led the Bobcats with 15 points and five assists. But it was perhaps a 11 rebound and 10 shots-taken advantage over the Grizzlies that spelled the difference in a game where the underdog Cats led through much of the second half.
Montana junior point guard Anthony Johnson paced the Grizzlies with 19 points, but it was his errant pass that Bynum stole and which created a stunning reversal in Montana’s maneuvering for a last second shot with the Cats holding a one-point 53-52 lead in the game’s final seconds.
PHOTO LEFT: Montana senior forward Jordan Hasquet drives to the bucket in second half action. Hasquet scored 12 points on 5-of-7 shooting, and grabbed six rebounds over 33 minutes of game action.
Johnson was joined in double figures by senior forward Jordan Hasquet, who scored 12, and junior forward Jack McGillis, who scored 10. No other Bobcat player scored in double figures, although
eight Bobcat players scored in game action.
In an otherwise even statistical contest, Montana State – behind senior post Divaldo Mbunga’s 11 rebounds and Erik Rush’s 10 – outrebounded Montana 40-29, snaring an impressive 18 offensive boards, which led to a 10-shot, 60-50 advantage over Montana.
BOTTOM PHOTOS: Seniors Kyle Sharp (40) and Ceylon Elgin Taylor (5) played their final games as Montana Grizzlies Saturday. Sharp, who started at post through conference play, scored four points and pulled down four rebounds against the Cats. Elgin-Taylor was scoreless in 13 minutes of action. Sharp grabbed an offensive rebound on this play and scored on the putback. Divaldo Mbunga defends. Elgin-Taylor missed this early offense layup against defenders Will Bynum (1) and Austin Brown.
NOTE: Because of double-header game action Saturday, additional and more complete coverage will be provided later Sunday.
