Montana State beats NAU women

BOZEMAN, Mont. - Northern Arizona women's basketball dropped its fifth consecutive Big Sky Conference game with an 80-64 loss to Montana State on Thursday.

NAU (7-14, 2-6 Big Sky) led 27-22 at the half.  The Lumberjacks shot 36 percent in the first half and limited Montana State to 29 percent shooting from the field.

The second half was a different story as Montana State came out on fire shooting 65 percent over the final 20 minutes, led by junio Katie Bussey's 24 second-half points.

Montana State made nine 3-point field goals in the second half.  Bussey finished with a game-high 28 points after scoring just four in the first half.

NAU's Amy Patton led the Lumberjacks with 21 points in only 17 minutes of play off the bench.  She shot 8 of 15 from the field and collected three rebounds.  Tiffany Amos came off the bench as well and scored 13 points.  Patton and Amos were the only Lumberjacks in double figures.

NAU returns to action Saturday, Feb. 5 at 2:05 p.m. at Montana.