By Special to the Havre Daily
BOZEMAN Montana State led by as many as 19 points in the last five minutes, and withstood a 14-3 run after that point to beat MSU-Northern 77-69 in Bozeman on Saturday.
The Lights, coached by former Bobcat assistant Brian Harrell and led by former Bobcats E.J. Little and Jermaine Walton, stayed within 10 points of the Bobcats through the first 22 minutes of the game, and was within 12 when Walton made two free throws at the 5:52 mark. But the Bobcats answered with a bucket by Damir Latovic, free throws by Jeff Williams, and a three by Jason Erickson to extend the lead to 19. Walton made a basket and a three-pointer to ignite the Northern rally, and K.C. Moultrie and Little each added baskets. But two James Clark free throws helped MSU seal the win.
"We missed too many free throws and layups," said MSU coach Mick Durham. "Those things are close to freebies. I felt that at the end of the first half we could stretch our lead, but that seems to be the story for us, trying to extend the lead and letting it slip."
Montana State outshot the Lights 42.4 percent to 39.3 percent, and out-rebounded Northern 48-33. Damir Latovic had a career-high 20 points and 11 rebounds, while Pete Conway chipped in with 12 and James Clark had 10. The Bobcats shot just 53.6 percent from the free throw line.
Northern was led by Little's 18 points, while Josh Hays had a dozen. "I'm proud that we didn't roll over and die," Harrell said. "I'm not into moral victories. I knew it was going to be tough coming in here, because not many teams come in here and beat the Bobcats."
"We want to do that (play inside-out) every game," said Latovic, who as a power forward plays both inside and outside offensively for the Cats. "Tonight we had the inside presence with the height advantage. It just worked tonight. I think I can score both in and out."
MSU faces Arizona State in Tempe on Thursday, while Northern plays BYU-Hawaii in Honolulu on Tuesday.
NOTES: MSU's win over Northern was its first against a school in the Montana State University system since beating MSU-Billings in 94-95... not only did Little have a career high 18 points, but last year as a Bobcat he only once scored 18 points in any two consecutive games... Latovic had a double-double, 20 points and 11 boards, playing against his long-time friend Uros Mirkovic, a fellow Yugoslavian, who had nine points and six boards. Said Latovic: "It was great to finally talk to somebody in my own language again."... Harrell on the best part of the trip for him: "My wife got to come to town and get some Christmas shopping done."
MONTANA STATE 77
MONTANA STATE-NORTHERN 69
Montana St.-Northern (8-3)
Mirkovic 2-4 4-6 9, Little 5-9 6-7 18, Hays 5-7 1-2 12, Walton 3-11 2-2 9, K. Moltrie 2-6 0-0 4, Lazosky 1-2 0-0 2, Graham 1-7 3-4 5, J. Moltrie 2-4 2-2 8, Nelson 1-6 0-0 2. Totals 22-56 18-23 69.
Montana St. (3-4)
Latovic 8-11 2-8 20, Rich 3-5 3-4 9, Plummer 2-7 1-6 5, Erikson 3-6 0-0 8, Conway 4-10 3-3 12, Williams 0-2 2-2 2, Clark 3-12 3-5 10, Duffy 3-6 1-2 7, Reynolds 1-4 0-0 2, Segeberg 1-3 0-0 2. Totals 28-66 15-28 77.
HalftimeMontana St. 40, Montana St.-Northern 33. 3-point goalsMontana St.-Northern 7-22 (Little 2-2, Mirkovic 1-3, Hayes 1-1, Walton 1-4, J. Moltrie 2-3, K. Moltrie 0-2, Lazosky 0-1, Graham 0-6), Montana St. 6-21 (Latovic 2-3, Erikson 2-4, Conway 1-4, Clark 1-3, Reynolds 0-2, Williams 0-2, Duffy 0-1). ReboundsMontana St.-Northern 33 (Mirkovic 6), Montana St. 48 (Latovic, Plummer 11). AssistsMontana St.-Northern 10 (Mirkovic, Walton 3), Montana St. 16 (Williams 4). Total foulsMontana St.-Northern 25, Montana St. 19. TechnicalsRich. A1,300.
