Bobcat women overcome slow start to down Sac State

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Montana State got off to a slow start shooting just 12.5% from the field in the first quarter but used its signature defense to ignite its offense in the second period to cruise to a 67-45 win over Sacramento State on Thursday night in The Nest. 

It took almost five minutes for Montana State (19-2, 9-0) to get on the board as Natalie Picton connected on a three-pointer at the 5:20 mark. MSU held a 7-5 advantage after the opening ten minutes. 

Martin, Morales and Dykstra combined for 17 points in the second frame, and Morales’s triple as time expired gave the Bobcats a 26-15 lead at intermission. 

The victory keeps the Bobcat atop the Big Sky Conference standings and moves its consecutive win streak to 12 games. MSU plays at Portland State on Saturday at 3 p.m. (MT).    

Montana 73, Portland State 61

PORTLAND, Ore. — Montana put up 29 first-quarter points and never looked back on Thursday night at Viking Pavilion, cruising past Portland State 73-61 as the Lady Griz won their first road game in more than two months. 

Tyler McCliment-Call, making her first start since mid-November, went 5 for 6 from the 3-point line and scored 17 points, just as Izabella Zingaro did off the bench on 5-of-7 shooting. 

Mack Konig had 10 points and four assists, Dani Bartsch had seven points, 10 rebounds and seven assists without a turnover. It was her 33rd career game with 10 or more rebounds. 

Montana will try for the road trip sweep with a game on Saturday at 3 p.m. (MT) at Sacramento State.