MONTANA STATE PRESS RELEASE
Montana State sophomore Hannah Caudill connected on a wide-open three-pointer from the corner with 6.7-seconds remaining to lift the Bobcats to an 80-79 win over Sacramento State Thursday night in The Nest in Sacramento.
The Spokane product finished 4-of-4 from beyond the 3-point arc to finish with 14 points while distributing six assists. In all, five Bobcats scored in double-figures led by senior center Jasmine Hommes with19, Junior forward Peyton Ferris 14 scored 14 off the bench while junior Riley Nordgaard scored 11 and senior Alexa Dawkins chipped in 10.
“We told the kids at halftime we weathered the storm as Sacramento State was shooting the three ball very well,” said MSU 11th year head coach Tricia Binford. “We were hoping they’d cool off in the second half, and if we kept them out of the paint and defended well we would have a chance at the end.”
MSU moved to 3-0 in Big Sky Conference play, 10-4 overall. Sac fell to 1-1 in league, 4-9 overall. Montana State trailed 46-43 at intermission as the Hornets connected on 8-of-19 from long distance.
The game featured 17 lead changes and eight ties as the Bobcats took a 63-61 advantage into the fourth quarter. MSU built its largest lead at 73-66 following a pair of free throws by Ferris with 5:28 remaining.
Sacramento State answered with an 8-0 run to retake the lead with 2:45 left. The two teams traded baskets with the Hornets owning a 79-77 advantage at the 1:15 mark on a Kyhonta Doughty layup.
Following Caudill’s triple, Sacramento State’s Brianna Burgos went coast-to-coast, but the MSU defense collapsed under the basket and her layup caromed back rim into Hommes’ hands.
“We showed a lot of poise and character in the second half,” Binford said. “We let the kids play and we got out of their way.
“It’s also nice to have such a great bench. We had a lot of players contribute, and with our depth, we were able to keep fresh legs against a team like Sacramento State that is hard to guard.”
MSU finished shooting 55 percent from the field, while holding the Hornets to 40 percent. The Bobcats also won the battle of the boards, out-rebounding the Hornets 38-32
Adella Randle-El scored 29 points to lead Sac State.
MSU plays at Portland State on Saturday afternoon.
