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Strong second half leads Washington State past Montana

Nov 24, 2007 - 7:52 AM SPOKANE, Washington (Ticker) -- Unable to pull away in the first half, Washington State used its defense to pull away from Montana in the second half.

Taylor Rochestie scored 17 points as the ninth-ranked Cougars held the Grizzlies to poor shooting in the second half en route to a 66-55 victory in the opening round of the Cougar Hispanic College Fund Classic on Friday.

Aron Baynes and Derrick Low each added 14 points for the Cougars, who held just a two-point lead at halftime.

However, Washington State (4-0) stepped up its defense after the intermission, holding Montana to 11-of-30 shooting (37 percent) over the final 20 minutes.

The Cougars, who are at their highest ranking in school history, also committed only seven turnovers for the game.

The Grizzlies missed seven of its first eight shots to begin the second half and never trailed by less than 10 points over the final eight minutes.

Rochestie made a jumper just before the end of the first half to give Washington State a 28-26 lead at the break.

The Cougars went on an 8-0 run midway through the second half to take a 57-42 lead.

Cameron Rundles scored 13 points for the Grizzlies (3-2), who had won two straight games.

In the second round of games on Saturday, Washington State will play Mississippi Valley State, while Montana will take on Air Force.