Montana St defeats Cal Poly 80-83

Montana St Edges Cal Poly in Thrilling Comeback Victory

In a non-conference matchup that lived up to its billing, Montana St (AWAY) stunned Cal Poly (HOME) 83-80 on the road, erasing a 1-point halftime deficit to secure an impressive comeback win.

The game's turning point came at halftime, when Cal Poly held a slender 41-40 lead. However, the Bobcats responded with a strong second-half surge, outscoring the Mustangs 43-39 en route to the thrilling finish.

For Montana St, Patrick McMahon was the catalyst for the comeback, pouring in 26 points on an efficient 78.6% shooting night. The senior guard's all-around performance – including five assists and four rebounds – proved instrumental in the Bobcats' victory.

On the other hand, Cal Poly's Cayden Ward led the way with a strong outing, scoring 23 points on 50.0% shooting from three-point range. The sophomore forward also grabbed eight rebounds and dished out four assists to pace his team.

The game was a defensive battle, with both teams struggling to find their rhythm early. However, as the second half wore on, Montana St's relentless offense began to pay dividends. The Bobcats' 20 fast-break points were more than double Cal Poly's eight, highlighting the difference-maker in the contest.

In terms of team statistics, Montana St edged out Cal Poly in several key categories. The Bobcats boasted a higher true shooting percentage (53.9% vs 52.9%) and field goal efficiency (50.0% vs 39.0%), while also outrebounding their opponents by seven.

Despite the loss, Cal Poly's Cayden Ward was still the bright spot for his team, showcasing his impressive all-around skills on both ends of the court.

With the win, Montana St moves one step closer to its goals, while Cal Poly looks to bounce back from a tough road defeat.