Bishop’s Second-Half Explosion Leads Bobcats Over Southern Utah

SALT LAKE CITY – Montana State clinches a share of the Big Sky regular season crown with a 69-53. with over the Southern Utah.

The Bobcats (14-4, 22-7) hosted Southern Utah (12-6, 18-10) at the Brick Breeden Fieldhouse in Bozeman, MT on Tuesday, March 1.

In a Big Sky battle of No. 1 vs. No.2, both teams struggled to create any consistency with the offensive attack. The loss of leading scorer Tevian Jones after he ran into a camera person chasing a loose ball didn’t help SUU.

All tied up!!! 👀 pic.twitter.com/oRNAi0y0Vi

— SUU Men's Basketball (@SUUBasketball) March 2, 2022

Xavier Bishop popped for an early eight points, helping Montana State to lead before SUU’s defense was able to slow Bishop down.

On the rare occasion Southern Utah was able to push the pace, the found success getting good shots and creating scoring opportunities. But forcing stops on the defensive end proved difficult in the closing minutes of the first half.

A more than seven minute long scoreless stretch to close the half by Southern Utah opened the door for the Bobcats and they took advantage. During the stretch Montana State turned a 19-18 deficit into a 31-20 halftime lead.

Prepared to work in half two!#StormTheSky pic.twitter.com/mfwsWgU1jW

— SUU Men's Basketball (@SUUBasketball) March 2, 2022

Southern Utah was limited to 8-27 first half shooting and gave the ball away eight times. Compared to 48 percent shooting for the Bobcats and only six first half turnovers.

The Thunderbirds would end up without a field goal for more than ten straight minutes before a John Knight III three took the lid off the basket. Aanen Moody immeidately followed with a pair of baskets, bringing SUU within 10 at 37-27 with 15:58 remaining.

With a chance to take the lead, Southern Utah came up empty on consecutive possessions. Following a Dre Marin miss, Montana State took the rebound and eventually found Jubrile Belo at the free throw line. Belo pump faked a defender out of the way before finishing with a left handed dunk, giving the Bobcats a 43-40 lead.

Big-time plays ⏳ @_dremarin4 pic.twitter.com/2l25dZNvjr

— SUU Men's Basketball (@SUUBasketball) March 2, 2022

With Southern Utah continuing their roller coaster of a night, Bishop took over for the Bobcats, scoring 18 points in the second half and finishing with a game high 28.

The Thunderbirds now travel to Pocatello, ID where they will take on the Idaho State Bengals (5-14, 7-21) on Thursday, March 3. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. (MDT).

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