Mercer's 17 Points Help Montana State
into Big Sky Final
www.msubobcats.com
15 Mar 2008
MISSOULA, Montana - Third-year head coach Tricia Binford has officially restored the Bobcat women's basketball program to championship status as the Bobcats knocked off No. 2 seed Idaho State, 83-72, Friday night in Missoula at the Big Sky tourney.
For the second straight game seniors Krislyn Wallace and Rebecca Mercer (Perth) paced Montana State with 17 points, apiece, as the Bobcats upset Idaho State- who had beaten MSU twice during the regular-season.
Montana State (18-12) came out of the starting gate on fire building a 28-13 advantage at the 6:19 mark on a Wallace field-goal.
The Bobcats built their largest lead of the half at 37-18 with 1:51 remaining on a three-pointer by Anne Phippard.
“That was about the best half we’ve played all season,” said MSU head coach Tricia Binford. “We were able to shut down (Natalie) Doma and (Andrea) Lightfoot and frustrate them a little. It was important to get the lead.”
MSU entered intermission with a 39-21 advantage.
In the second stanza, the Bobcats maintained a healthy cushion leading 52-33 at the 15:41 mark on a Wallace basket.
Idaho State answered with a 13-0 run to cut the margin to 52-46 with 12:50 remaining on a layup by Michelle Grohs.
However, MSU rattled off two baskets to push the margin back to double-digits. Full Story
Big Sky Tournament Central
