by Tom Schulz, MSU communications
Darian White matched a season-high 19 points, while Leia Beattie posted a career-best 18 and Kola Bad Bear (Crow) added 13 to lift Montana State to a 76-69 win over Sacramento State on Saturday night in Worthington Arena.
Montana State (4-5, 2-0), who is on a current three-game win streak, used strong defense and its second-best offensive effort from the field, to lead almost from start to finish. Sacramento State (3-6, 0-2) scored 14-seconds into the contest, but a Bad Bear three-pointer at the 9:26 mark gave MSU a 3-2 advantage and a lead they would never surrender.
“That was our best defensive effort from start to finish,” said Ellen Kreighbaum Women’s Head Basketball Coach Tricia Binford. “Sacramento State put 69 points on the board, and you have a very dynamic scorer in Lianna Tillman, very challenging post play and their other players knocking down shots, and Sac is very explosive. I thought our ability to adjust and get some stops, especially down the stretch were crucial.”
MSU opened the first quarter shooting 47.4% from the field, including a three-of-six effort from beyond the arc. Beattie paced the Bobcats with eight points as Montana State held a 21-11 advantage going into the second stanza.
The Bobcats took its largest lead of the second period at 24-11 on a Katelynn Limardo triple at the 9:57 mark. The Hornets whittled the margin down to five, but MSU closed out the half pushing its advantage back to double figures, before eventually holding a 37-30 cushion heading into intermission.
“We really came out shooting very well,” Binford said. “And we had challenged our post play about being shot ready and tough on the defensive end. I’m really proud of them. They came to play.”
Sacramento State closed to within 39-36 to open the second half, but MSU quickly responded with a White layup followed by a Beattie three-pointer to give the Cats a 44-36 lead. Montana State led 53-47 lead going into the fourth quarter.
The two teams traded baskets for much on the final period, before the Hornets closed to within 70-66 on a Jessica Rios triple with 59-seconds remaining. The Bobcats closed out the game connecting on six-of-six from the free throw line in the waning moments to notch its second Big Sky win of the season.
The Bobcats shot 46.2% from the field in the second half and converted 11-16 charity tosses.
Beattie, a sophomore guard from Midland, Texas, finished the game going four-of-eight from the floor, three-of-four from long distance and seven-of-10 at the line. She also pulled down a career-high eight rebounds.
“Leia’s starting to come into her own,” Binford said. “She’s becoming a dynamic multiple weapon and her decision making and passing ability has really started to show itself.”
Montana State forced 13 turnovers, converting the Hornet miscues into 16 points. The Bobcats turned the ball over just five times.
Sacramento State had four players in double digits led by Katie Peneueta with 15, all from beyond the arc.
