Montana State University
Montana Tech
Bobcats use balanced attack to down Orediggers in exhibition opener
11/2/2010 9:50:27 PM | Women's Basketball
Freshman Chelsea Banis scored a game-high 17 points and four other Montana State players hit double-figures as the Bobcats cruised to a 93-55 win over Montana Tech in exhibition action, Tuesday night in Worthington Arena.
Montana Tech-Montana State Boxscore (pdf)
Freshman Chelsea Banis scored a game-high 17 points and four other Montana State players hit double-figures as the Bobcats cruised to a 93-55 win over Montana Tech in exhibition action, Tuesday night in Worthington Arena.
Banis, who redshirted last season, connected on eight-of-12 from the field and pulled down nine rebounds.
“Chelsea certainly didn't play like a freshman,” said MSU sixth-year head coach Tricia Binford. “She is very confident and our kids did a nice job feeding her the ball. Chelsea is a nice presence to have down low and she really opens up the perimeter.”
Also in double-digits for the Bobcats were Lyndi Seidensticker 15, Ashley Albert 13, Sarah Balian 10, and Katie Bussey 10.
“I thought it was a good first game,” Binford said. “We had good balance and I was happy with our shot selection.
“There was five minutes when we didn't get Chelsea (Banis) the ball and five minutes where we forced it to her, but other than that I thought we had good ball movement,” Binford said.
Montana State staked a 45-25 lead at intermission by virtue of shooting 52 percent from the field and holding a seven board advantage in rebounding.
The Bobcats cooled off in the second stanza hitting at a 38 percent clip, but were able to get the entire roster into the scoring column.
“It was nice to get everyone on the floor and see our options,” Binford said. “Defensively, we need to contest the three-pointer better and work on our communication. I was happy with our help side rotation.”
MSU finished the game with a 57-37 advantage under the boards. Balian paced the Bobcats with 11 rebounds, while sophomore Rachel Semansky also hit double-figures with ten rebounds.
Montana Tech was paced by Meghan Eisenmann and Taesha Higbee with 14 points each.
MSU will host its final exhibition on Saturday when it faces MSU Billings at 5:30 p.m. in Worthington Arena.
