Bussey's record-breaking night lifts Bobcats to win at ISU

Posted: Feb 2, 2012 11:04 PM by Scott Breen - Q2 Sports
Updated: Feb 2, 2012 11:23 PM

POCATELLO, ID - Montana State senior standout Katie Bussey poured in a Bobcat school-record 41 points to lift MSU to a 79-67 overtime victory over Big Sky-leading Idaho State, Thursday night in Reed Gym.

Montana State (15-7, 7-3) overcame a 16-point first half deficit outscoring Idaho State (16-6, 8-1) by ten in the second period, and then putting the hammer down in the overtime stanza with a 14-2 run.

"Katie hit two big baskets right before halftime to get us within ten points," said MSU head coach Tricia Binford. "That was huge as it gave us some momentum. We talked at halftime about someone stepping up and making plays."

Bussey, a native of Alamosa, Colo., took Binford's challenge at intermission to heart and scorched the nets for 31 points in the second half and overtime period.

Bussey broke the single game scoring mark held by Cass Bauer (1994) and Marcia Topp (1980). In addition, she tied the all-time Big Sky record held by Shannon Cate (1991) and Kelsey Kahle (2007).

"I think it's pretty cool," Bussey said. "During the game I had no idea what my stats were. My teammates put their trust in me and I went to work. I wasn't thinking and did what the team needed me to do."

Bussey finished the game shooting 11-of-23 from the field and 15-of-18 from the line.

It was Bussey's heroics that sent the game into overtime as the Bobcats trailed by seven points with 1:04 remaining in the game. Two free throws by Bussey, followed by basket from Ashley Albert and a free throw via Rachel Semansky pulled MSU to within two points with 23-seconds left. Following two ISU missed free throws, Bussey pulled up for a jumper in the lane with 6.1 seconds remaining to even the score.

"We showed a lot of character in the second half and got it done with defense," Binford said. "We put the ball in Katie's hands and just piggy-backed off her. I thought Rachel (Semansky) did an outstanding job creating space for Katie and working under the boards.

"Heading into overtime, we knew we had the momentum, and we just kept it rolling," Binford said.

Semansky finished the contest with her seventh double-double of the season with 11 points and 16 rebounds.

With the victory Binford became Montana State's all-time winnngest coach with 99 career wins, surpassing the old mark of 98 set by Judy Spoelstra.

"Having Katie do what she did makes the milestone special," Binford said. "We were happy to avenge our loss to Idaho State. They made the plays at our place, and we made them here. We'll enjoy the victory during the bus ride home, and then we'll start preparing for Montana."

ISU was paced in the loss by Chelsea Pickering with 15 points and 10 rebounds.

The Bobcats will host the Lady Griz on Saturday at 2 p.m., in Worthington Arena.