CHENEY, Wash. (Interstat) — A frigid first half gave way to a second-half offensive eruption for Montana State, which rallied from a double-digit deficit to edge Eastern Washington 68-64 in a Big Sky Conference men’s basketball game Thursday night at Reese Court.

The Bobcats, who managed only 19 points before halftime, exploded for 49 in the second half behind a combined 47 points from Christian King and Patrick McMahon. The Eagles, who led by as many as 11 in the first half, saw their four-game home losing streak continue despite a valiant effort from guard Isaiah Moses.

The game’s defining stretch came early in the second half. Trailing 40-29 with just over 16 minutes to play, Montana State unleashed a 17-3 run over the next five minutes to seize control. The surge was fueled by defense and the hot hand of King, a 6-foot-8 forward from Kirkland, Washington. King buried a 3-pointer to ignite the run, then converted a pair of free throws before McMahon capped the burst with a layup to give the Bobcats a 46-43 lead with 11:29 remaining.

Eastern Washington, which fell to 2-13 overall and 0-2 in conference play, never fully recovered. The Eagles tied the game twice more but could not regain the lead. Montana State improved to 9-7 and 2-1 in the Big Sky.

The first half was a struggle for both offenses, characterized by missed shots, turnovers and physical defense. Eastern Washington led 23-19 at the break, holding Montana State to 30% shooting from the field. The Bobcats committed nine turnovers in the half, which the Eagles converted into 12 points.

King finished with a game-high 27 points for Montana State, adding three blocks and a steal in 31 minutes. McMahon, a 6-7 guard from Palmer, Alaska, contributed 20 points, including 10 during the decisive second-half run. Jed Miller of Agoura Hills, California, played a team-high 39 minutes, directing the offense with four assists and scoring nine points, including two critical free throws with three seconds left to seal the victory.

Eastern Washington was led by Moses, who scored 24 points, 18 of which came after halftime. The 6-1 guard from Anchorage, Alaska, repeatedly attacked the basket, drawing fouls and making 10 of 11 free throws. Kiree Huie, a 6-9 forward from Grayson, Georgia, provided an interior presence with 15 points, six rebounds and two blocks.

The Eagles had opportunities down the stretch. Trailing 66-64 with under 10 seconds to play, they forced a turnover and had a chance to tie or take the lead. Moses drove and missed a contested layup, but Alton Hamilton secured the offensive rebound and scored to seemingly tie the game with four seconds left. However, the basket was waved off after a foul was called on Eastern Washington before the shot, sending Miller to the line for the clinching free throws.

Statistically, the game was a tale of efficiency overcoming volume. Montana State shot 45.8% from the field (22 of 48) while Eastern Washington shot just 36.1% (22 of 61). The Bobcats were also more effective from beyond the arc, making 7 of 20 attempts compared to the Eagles’ 4 of 18. Montana State’s 17-of-21 performance at the free-throw line proved crucial.

Eastern Washington won the battle on the glass, grabbing 13 offensive rebounds to Montana State’s eight, and scored 20 points off 15 Bobcat turnovers. But Montana State’s defense, which registered five blocks and five steals, tightened when it mattered most, holding the Eagles to one field goal over the final three minutes.

The announced attendance at Reese Court was 1,534.

Montana State travels to face Idaho on Saturday. Eastern Washington remains at home to host Montana on Saturday.