Allen Lightfoot led a Montana State charge in the final five minutes to help the Bobcats to a 74-71 non-conference victory Wednesday night over Southern Utah.
With the Bobcats (12-15) holding a 66-65 lead with 5:39 remaining, Lightfoot scored three baskets in a 90-second span to help MSU to a 5-point advantage.Although the Bobcats scored only two points in the final two minutes, they were able to hold the Thunderbirds (15-12) to just one basket and a pair of free throws to secure the win.
The victory ended a four-game losing streak for Big Sky Conference member Montana State, which had dropped eight of nine games coming into the contest.
Southern Utah, an independent, held a 42-37 advantage at halftime behind the 15 points of Dana Achtzehn.
The Thunderbirds lost the lead six minutes into the second half and regained it only once, 56-54 with 11:46 to play.
Southern Utah did close to within one point on three occasions in the final 10 minutes.
Johnny Mack led Montana State with 16 points, while Willard Dean had 15, Johnny Perkins 12 and Lightfoot 10.
Achtzehn led the Thunderbirds with 21 points, while Davor Marcelic had 13 and Rod Dixon 10.