Msu Women Stage Upset In Big Sky

Big Sky tournament

Underdogs and shorthanded, Montana State still hustled its way to a 59-55 victory over Idaho State Thursday in the opening round of the Big Sky Conference women’s basketball tournament at the University of Montana.

“I thought the effort our players put on the floor was as gutsy an effort as I have ever seen,” said MSU coach Tracey Sheehan, who had seven players available.

All five Montana State starters scored in double figures, led by the 14 points of freshman Alison Bach, who hurt her ankle late in the game. Bach, however, came back to hit a 3-pointer that gave MSU a 53-47 lead with 2:50 to play.

ISU got back within four points at 55-51 on a 3-pointer by Shannon Copple with 48 seconds to play. But MSU hit 4 of 6 free throws to take a 59-51 lead with 20 seconds to play.

Holly Togiai scored four points in the final 9 seconds to finish with 12 points and 13 rebounds.

Sixth-seed Montana State (12-15) will play tournament host Montana in a semifinal tonight.

Third-seed Idaho State (15-12) saw its six-game winning streak snapped.

“It didn’t seem like this was the same team we’ve been for the last six games,” said ISU coach Ardie McInelly. “The saddest part about tonight, losing a game like this is like a death. It’s something that you can never get back. But I give Montana State a lot of credit. They had a lot of adversity coming into the game. They were the underdogs as far as the seeding was concerned.”

Montana State, playing without its leading scorer and rebounder - Tennyson Ballek - scored the last eight points of the first half and the first eight of the second half to take a 33-19 lead on a basket by Lezlee Weedin with 17:07 remaining.

Copple hit two straight 3-pointers before MSU went on another 7-0 run to take a 40-25 lead on a basket by Jamie Spring with 14:12 to play.

Two free throws by Togiai saw Idaho State pull within 50-47 with 3:12 remaining, before Bach hit her key shot.

Freshman Serena Merrill had 12 points and 12 rebounds for MSU, followed by Natalie Smith with 11 points and 13 rebounds.

Meg Salness led Idaho State with 17 points, while Copple also scored 12 for the Bengals, who trailed 25-19 at the half.

“We didn’t think we were going to lose,” said Salness, a senior. “I don’t think anyone on the team had a doubt in their mind. We thought we were going to be successful tonight.”

CS Northridge 73, Weber St. 69

In the second game at Missoula, Edniesha Curry had 20 points to lead the fourth-seeded Matadors past the Wildcats.

Northridge (14-13) plays second-seed Northern Arizona (21-5) in a semifinal tonight.