Bobcat basketball continues seven game win streak

The MSU men’s basketball team has been on a tear recently, winning seven straight and 12 of the last 13. Continuing the winning streak, the Cats took on Eastern Washington and Idaho in front of home fans. The Bobcats closed out the month of January undefeated for the second year in a row.

The Cats took to the court against Eastern Washington on Thursday, Jan. 27, and came out with a win, 69-65. The teams’ last matchup was in March of 2021, where MSU lost by 10 points in the Big Sky Conference tournament championship. However, on Thursday MSU ended its six game losing streak against the Eagles, as the Bobcat men claimed their sixth straight win. Despite the narrow victory, the Bobcats maintained a strong defensive tactic and made timely plays in the final few minutes to clench the win.

Just two days later, the men faced the visiting Vandals and continued the successes they’ve maintained over the course of the month. Sophomores RaeQuan Battle and Nick Gazelas led the team in scoring with 13 points apiece. The team once again showcased its defensive prowess, forcing 17 turnovers. The Cats put up another impressive effort from behind the arc, scoring 24 total team points from three-point range while going 8-19 (42.1%).

The Cats were originally set to travel to Pocatello, Idaho, to face the Idaho State Bengals on Thursday, Feb. 3, but due to COVID-19 protocols within the Bengals program, that game was postponed to a Monday, Feb. 5, at 7 p.m. That will give the Cats a little extra time to prepare to face Big Sky Conference juggernaut Weber State in Ogden, Utah. The Wildcats are currently sitting in first place in the Big Sky with their only loss occurring on the road in Missoula. The Cats faced Weber in December and lost 85-75 in Bozeman. The loss against the Wildcats also stands out as the only loss in the Bobcats’ last 13 matchups. Saturday’s game will be available on ESPN+ and the Bobcat Radio Network.

The Bobcats will be back in Bozeman’s Worthington Arena on Thursday, Feb. 10, for their game against Portland State at 7 p.m.