Montana State's Jed Miller stole the show at Worthington Arena, scoring 27 points and grabbing 5 rebounds to lead the Bobcats to a 91-88 victory over Weber State. The win marked a strong performance by Montana State, who led 45-42 at halftime and managed to hold off a late surge by the Wildcats. Weber State's Tijan Saine Jr. gave the Bobcats a run for their money, scoring 24 points in a losing effort.
The game was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams trading baskets throughout the first half. Montana State's Christian King got hot early, scoring 12 of his 20 points in the first 20 minutes. The Bobcats' offense was clicking, with Seth Amunrud chipping in 13 points to help build their halftime lead. Weber State, however, refused to back down, with Saine Jr. and Viljami Vartiainen combining for 25 points in the first half to keep the Wildcats within striking distance.
In the second half, Montana State continued to push the pace, with Miller taking over as the primary scorer. The Bobcats' lead ballooned to as many as 10 points midway through the half, but Weber State fought back, with Trevor Hennig scoring 10 of his 15 points in the final 10 minutes. The Wildcats drew within 3 points with just over a minute remaining, but Montana State's free throw shooting late sealed the win.
CHD Scout Report Card
CORRECTPredicted
Final
CHD Scout's pre-game prediction had Montana State winning by 5.2 points, and while the final margin was slightly narrower, the Bobcats' victory was a reflection of their resilience. The win improves Montana State's record to 13-8, while Weber State falls to 10-11.
The outcome of this game has real consequences for both teams' tournament resumes. For Montana State, the win is classified as a Quadrant 4 victory, which may not carry significant weight in the selection committee's eyes. However, the Bobcats' ability to hold off a pesky Weber State team demonstrates their growth and maturity as a squad. On the other hand, the loss is a Quadrant 3 defeat for Weber State, which could hurt their chances of securing a postseason berth.
As the season enters its final stretch, Montana State want to build on this win and strengthen their tournament profile. With a current NET ranking of 137, the Bobcats still have work to do to secure a spot in the NCAA Tournament. Nevertheless, performances like Miller's 27-point outburst will undoubtedly catch the attention of voters and pundits alike, making Montana State a team to watch in the coming weeks.