Bobcats Fall in Road Thriller at Seattle U

SEATTLE – A potential game-winning shot from Robert Ford III glanced off the rim with two seconds to go in regulation, and Seattle U hit a pair of free throws moments later to deal Montana State a tight 71-68 loss Saturday afternoon at the Redhawk Center in Seattle, Washington.

The Bobcats (1-1) erased a nine-point deficit over the final five minutes and gave themselves two chances to try to take the lead in the final minute, but a Brian Goracke three and Ford's late layup both wouldn't go down as MSU came up just short. 

"I was really proud of our response to adversity tonight against a good and experienced team on the road," head coach Matt Logie said. "Our guys showed tremendous fight today, earning a great shot to win after being down nine with five minutes to go." 

Goracke finished with a game-high 18 points, knocking down four triples off the bench. Patrick McMahon came off the bench to score 15 points with six rebounds.  

The Bobcat bench outscored the Redhawk bench 36-18, with MSU's depth getting tested in large part due to being whistled for 25 fouls. Ford and Sam Lecholat both fouled out of the game, and starting forward Brandon Walker scored nine points but was limited to just 12 minutes thanks to four fouls. 

Ford ended the night with eight points, six rebounds, and four steals, with stellar defense helping keep one of the top scorers in the country last year, Cameron Tyson, to 4-of-13 shooting from the field. 

Patterson would finish with 11 points, while Walker added nine.