THE MATCHUP
The Montana State Bobcats entered Saturday’s home contest versus Northern Arizona fresh off of a thrilling 77-74 victory over Portland State on Thursday, which extended their winning streak to 10 games. The Bobcats held a half-game lead over conference rival Weber State for the top spot in the Big Sky standings before the matchup, while the Lumberjacks of NAU came in with a 3.5 game deficit to the University of Montana for the ever-important 5th spot in the conference standings with the conference tournament less than a month away. NAU defeated Montana in Missoula, outlasting the Griz 72-67 in overtime on Thursday.
THE RESULT
Montana State set the tone defensively all game, blocking five shots and forcing seven turnovers, which carried them to a 72-70 victory. While their defense helped lead the Bobcats to holding a lead of eight-plus points for the majority of the game, NAU surged late and tied the game at 70-70 on a Nik Mains three-ball with 35 seconds to play. The Bobcats had the final possession, however, and senior point guard Xavier Bishop delivered a clutch layup through contact in the final seconds to seal the victory.
Montana State has now won 16 of its last 17 games and have their first 20-win season in 20 years. MSU sits at 12-2 in Big Sky play, atop the league standings. NAU ends the weekend 5-9 in league play.
THE STANDOUTS
For Xavier Bishop, his 23-point effort that also included six rebounds and four assists to lead MSU over the Lumberjacks was extra special, as this afternoon’s matchup was the annual “Pack the Place in Pink” game to support breast cancer awareness; Bishop (who sported pink socks throughout the game) mentioned to Skyline Sports in a post-game interview that his mother was diagnosed with breast cancer this past summer, and he wanted to dedicate this game to her.
Bishop carried the load for MSU offensively, but Jubrile Belo’s defense lit up the box scores as well. Belo blocked four shots (each in emphatic fashion), and NAU struggled to get anything going in the paint over the senior rim protector. Belo also chipped in 14 points.
For NAU, Keith Haymon helped bring his team all the way back from a 12-point second half deficit with five three-pointers, but his efforts couldn’t outweigh the offensive struggles of sophomore guard Jalen Cone, who shot 4-17 from the field.
QUOTABLE
“Coach Sprinkle was there for me, my staff and my team were there for me… it was a tough time for me. I definitely wanted to dedicate this game to my mom; that’s my dog right there.”
Xavier Bishop, in reference to his mom’s breast cancer diagnosis this summer and subsequent recovery
“We’ve cultivated defensive toughness since the day I got the job. I knew this program needed a defensive mindset to get this group to the top of the league.”
Montana State third-year head coach Danny Sprinkle
SOCIAL
WHAT’S NEXT
Montana State hits the road for their next three games, visiting Eastern Washington on Thursday, Southern Utah next Saturday, and the University of Montana on Sunday, February 27th.
Northern Arizona heads to Portland on Thursday to face Portland State, who sit one game ahead of NAU in the Big Sky standings.
