Saturday, March 1st, 9:05 p.m. (et)

FACTS & STATS: Site: Worthington Arena (7,250) -- Bozeman, Montana. Television: None. Home Record: Northern Colorado 9-4, Montana State 11-2. Away Record: Northern Colorado 2-12, Montana State 3-11. Neutral Record: Northern Colorado 1-0, Montana State 1-0. Conference Record: Northern Colorado 5-10, Montana State 7-8. Series Record: Montana State leads, 30-11.

GAME NOTES: With their postseason birth already secured, the Montana State Bobcats will try to head into the Big Sky Conference Tournament on a winning note when they host the Northern Colorado Bears this evening at Worthington Arena. Unfortunately the season comes to a close tonight for Northern Colorado, as the Bears are just 5-10 in Big Sky play and are coming off a tough 81-66 setback to Montana on Thursday. The biggest issue for the Bears has been their play on the road, as the team is just 2-12 away from home. As for the Bobcats, they just slipped into the postseason tourney, and are currently sitting on a mere 7-8 league mark. As of now Montana State will be the sixth seed in the tournament, but with a win and some help, the team could jump to the fifth spot. The Bobcats have played well at home this season, in fact, 11 of the teams 15 wins have come at Worthington Arena. With respects to the all-time series between the two teams, the Bobcats have won 11 straight meetings with Northern Colorado and now own a commanding, 30-11 lead. Earlier this season Montana State defeated the Bears by a 70-67 margin.

The Bears, at times, showed promising signs offensively, but for the majority of the season the team has been unable to put forth a consistent effort. Northern Colorado is producing 68.3 ppg, while shooting a mediocre 42.7 percent from the floor. Jabril Banks has been the top option for the Bears and heads into this game netting 13.1 ppg, while pulling down 5.9 rpg. Sean Taibi is the only other player averaging double-figures for the Bears, as the guard is posting 11.2 ppg. Earlier this week the Bears troublesome play at the offensive end of the floor continued, as the team suffered an 81-66 loss to Montana. In the setback, Northern Colorado shot 42.1 percent from the field, but could not overcome 21 turnovers. Banks paced the team with 15 points, while Devon Beitzel contributed 12 points. Sean Taibi and Neal Kingman also posted double figures, with 11 and 10 points, respectively.

The Bobcats were no match for Portland State this past Thursday, as the team was pounded by the Vikings, 96-68. Montana State struggled at both ends of the court, but it was the team's defensive play that was really embarrassing, as the Bobcats allowed PSU to shoot 70.0 percent from the floor, and 64.7 percent from long range. At the other end of the floor, the team only shot 38.1 percent from the field and made just 6-of-22 attempts from behind the arc. Mecklen Davis led the way with 19 points in the loss, while Divaldo Mbunga tallied 15 points. Mbunga has been the best option in the paint for Montana and is currently averaging 12.4 ppg to go along with 5.7 rpg. As for the team's leading scorer, Carlos Taylor (18.4 ppg), he tallied just eight points in the loss and committed four turnovers. Even with the poor outing, the Bobcats have played well offensively, averaging 73.3 ppg, while shooting 45.1 percent from the floor.

Look for the Bobcats to bounce back. The team is currently in the midst of a minor slump and will need to get back into the win column to head into the postseason in a proper frame of mind.

Predicted Outcome

Montana State 74, Northern Colorado 62