For the first time since 2003, the Montana State men’s basketball team is undefeated, thanks to a season-opening 89-80 victory over Omaha in Great Falls.
Although the venue may have been unfamiliar (The Bobcats opened the season at the Four Seasons Arena in Great Falls, their first game in the Electric City since 1951), their opponent certainly was not. This is the third consecutive season the Bobcats and Mavericks have squared off, but it was the Bobcats first win in the series in three tries.
Two seasons ago, on their last trip to Montana, Omaha escaped Brick Breeden Field House with a 100-97 victory thanks to a buzzer-beating three-pointer by Devin Patterson, who poured in 41 points that afternoon. 2017 looked to be a repeat performance as Omaha had possession with the score tied and the clock winding down. But thanks to a veteran group that includes eight returning letterman, Montana State was able to get a stop and force overtime. The Bobcats took the lead on their opening possession and never looked back.
As expected, reigning Big Sky Freshman of the Year, Harald Frey played a major role in MSU’s victory, pouring in a career-high 29 points to lead the ‘Cats. Bobcat junior Tyler Hall contributed his usual plethora of points with 19, but it was newcomer Keljin Blevins who made the biggest splash, filling up the stat sheet in his first action for MSU after sitting out last season following his transfer from Southern Mississippi. Blevins contributed 17 points, 8 rebounds, a steal and an assist, including the final free throw to force overtime.
MSU held Omaha to just 68 points in regulation after giving up 100 and 97 in the two previous meetings, highlighting head coach Brian Fish’s emphasis on defense this season. “We’ve emphasized attention to detail, getting stops,” said Bobcat coach Brian Fish. “Last year we lost a game at Idaho we lost a game because we were jumping around on defense (on the last possession of regulation) like crickets. Tonight we talked about staying down (on the last defensive possession of the second half). If they were going to hit a shot, they’d have to hit it over us.”
MSU will now hit the road to take on Utah State before returning to the friendly confines of Brick Breeden Fieldhouse in their first true home game of the 2017-18 season, hosting UM-Western.
For a complete schedule of all Montana State men’s basketball games, log on to www.msubobcats.com.
Danny Waldo is a local freelance writer covering Montana State Bobcat athletics.
