BOZEMAN, Mont. (Interstat) — Jed Miller scored 22 points and Christian King added 18 as Montana State used a dominant first-half shooting performance to build a lead it would never relinquish in a 77-68 victory over Northern Arizona in a Big Sky Conference men’s basketball game Saturday night at Brick Breeden Fieldhouse.

A crowd of 3,016 watched the Bobcats improve to 8-7 overall and 2-0 in conference play, while the Lumberjacks fell to 6-9 and 0-2.

The most critical phase of the game was the opening 20 minutes, where Montana State established a decisive advantage from beyond the three-point arc. The Bobcats connected on 8 of 17 three-point attempts in the first half, a 47.1 percent clip, while Northern Arizona managed just 3 of 8. This long-range barrage fueled a 43-35 halftime lead for the home team, a cushion that proved vital as the Lumberjacks battled to close the gap after the break.

Montana State’s offensive efficiency was the story of the night. The Bobcats scored 77 points on just 61 possessions, translating to an offensive rating of 127.0, a mark that underscored their effective shot-making and ball security. They finished the game 12 of 31 from three-point range and were nearly perfect at the free-throw line, making 13 of 14 attempts. Northern Arizona, by contrast, operated at a lower efficiency, scoring 68 points on 65 possessions for an offensive rating of 104.3. The Lumberjacks shot a respectable 47.5 percent from the field but only attempted 12 three-pointers, making five, and were 7 of 11 from the foul line.

Isaiah Shaw led Northern Arizona with 18 points, all of which came from beyond the arc, hitting 6 of 9 three-point attempts. Kavon Bradford provided 12 points off the bench for the Lumberjacks. Northern Arizona won the battle inside, outscoring Montana State 40-22 in the paint and grabbing 15 offensive rebounds that led to 12 second-chance points, but it was not enough to overcome the Bobcats’ shooting.

Miller, a 6-foot-2 guard from Agoura Hills, California, was the catalyst for Montana State, hitting 4 of 9 from three-point range and adding three steals. King, a 6-foot-8 forward from Kirkland, Washington, complemented him with an efficient 7-of-12 shooting performance and grabbed a game-high eight rebounds. Patrick McMahon contributed 11 points, and Seth Amunrud, a hometown product from Bozeman, chipped in nine points and three assists.

The game began with Montana State’s Chris Hodges winning the opening tip and scoring the first basket on a hook shot. Northern Arizona responded quickly, with Shaw hitting two early three-pointers to keep pace. However, a 7-0 run by the Bobcats, capped by a three-pointer from Amunrud assisted by Christian King, gave Montana State a 17-12 lead midway through the first half. The Bobcats continued to find success from deep, with Miller and King connecting repeatedly to stretch the lead. A three-pointer by King in the final minute of the half sent Montana State into the locker room with an eight-point advantage.

Northern Arizona opened the second half determined to attack the interior, but Montana State’s defense held firm, blocking five shots and recording five steals in the period. Every time the Lumberjacks threatened, the Bobcats had an answer. When a Traivar Jackson dunk brought Northern Arizona within 64-61 with just over six minutes remaining, Miller immediately responded with a clutch three-pointer on the next possession to push the lead back to six.

The Lumberjacks made one final push in the closing minutes. A Chris Komin stepback jumper cut the deficit to 69-67 with 3:23 left, but Montana State closed the game on an 8-1 run, powered by free throws from Jeremiah Davis and Davian Brown, to seal the victory. The Bobcats committed only eight turnovers, matching Northern Arizona, and their ability to capitalize on opportunities, scoring nine fastbreak points to Northern Arizona’s seven, was a final difference-maker.

Montana State, which was projected as a heavy favorite by advanced metrics entering the contest, will look to continue its conference success on the road next week at Eastern Washington and Idaho. Northern Arizona, still seeking its first Big Sky win, returns home to host Weber State and Idaho State.