BOZEMAN, Mont -- Montana State led for 30 minutes of clock and outscored Sacramento State's bench, 36-5, on the way to a 70-58 win over the Hornets on Thursday evening at Worthington Arena.
Sacramento State held a brief second half lead at 39-36 with 16:21 remaining, but Montana State answered with a 15-4 run to take an eight-point advantage (51-43) at the 9:49 mark. The Hornets would get no closer than five points the rest of the way. The 12-point margin of victory was also the Bobcats' largest lead of the contest. Montana State had a 34-29 halftime lead.
Perhaps the biggest difference in the game was the bench, as Montana State had two reserves in double figures, led by Patrick McMahon's 20 points and Jabe Mullins' 10 points. Conversely, the Hornets had just five bench points as Sacramento State used an eight-man rotation. For the sixth straight game, the Hornets played without the starting back court of
Emil Skytta and
Alex Kovatchev, not to mention key reserve
Bowyn Beatty has missed five straight games.
The Bobcats attempted 14 more free throws than the Hornets, connecting on 19-of-26 (73%) while the Hornets were just 8-for-12 (83%). Sacramento State, which had 10 offensive rebounds and a 38-32 rebounding advantage, shot 35% (20-57) from the field with eight made treys. MSU was 43% (21-49) with nine made 3-balls. Sacramento State had 15 turnovers - its most in 10 games - and the Bobcats took advantage, outscoring the Hornets, 22-7, in points off miscues.
Sacramento State, which was playing the first of a season-long four game road trip, dropped to 6-15 overall and 2-6 in the Big Sky Conference. Montana State, the defending Big Sky Tournament champions and NCAA Tournament participant, improved to 9-13 and 4-5.
Four the fourth time in six games, the Hornets were paced in scoring by junior
Julian Vaughns, who had 19 points (5-11 FG, 4-7 3FG, 5-5 FT), 14 of which came in the first half.
EJ Neal added 11 points (2-4 3FG), as he and Vaughns combined to go 6-for-11 from distance. The rest of the Hornets were 2-for-13 from deep.
Jacob Holt narrowly missed his fifth double-double, finishing with nine points and 10 rebounds. Point guard
Bailey Nunn posted eight points and matched his career high with seven boards.
Lachlan Brewer had six points, four rebounds and a pair of steals, and
Chudi Dioramma added two points and five rebounds.
Michael Wilson had three points, four rebounds and two assists.
Sacramento State is back in action on Saturday when the Hornets will be in Missoula to face Montana at 3 p.m. PT.
