The Bobcats (4-2) — an NCAA tournament team last season as champions of the Big Sky Conference — shot 16-for-31 (51.6 percent) in the second half after shooting 7-for-26 (26.9 percent) in the first half, which ended in a 20-20 tie.

Utah State (1-5), who played in the Women’s Basketball Invitational postseason tournament last season, shot 18-for-46 (39.1 percent) for the game.

Oliana Squires led three Bobcats in double figures with 18 points — she shot 5-for-9 from 3-point range. Hannah Caudill added 16 points and Delany Junkermier had 12.

Rachel Brewster scored 16 points for the Aggies, while Olivia West added 13.

The Aggies’ Hailey Bassett calls for the ball in front of the Bobcats’ Madeline Smith in the fourth quarter. - The Maui News / CHRIS SUGIDONO photo

Montana State will face Nevada today at 5 p.m., while Utah State takes on host Oregon State 30 minutes after the conclusion of the first game.

* Robert Collias is at rcollias @mauinews.com

MONTANA STATE (4-2)

Smith 3-5 1-3 7, Braxton 1-5 0-0 2, Jundermier 5-9 2-2 12, Caudill 5-10 3-4 16, Squires 6-14 1-2 18, Martell 1-4 0-0 3, Van Sickle 0-2 0-0 0, Shaide 0-0 0-0 0, Gillette 0-0 0-0 0, Pranger 0-2 1-2 1, Hatchard 2-4 0-0 5, McRae 0-0 0-0 0, Totals 23-55 8-13 64.

UTAH STATE (1-5)

Smith tries to shoot over Utah State’s Deja Mason (right) and Rachel Brewster in the third quarter. - The Maui News / CHRIS SUGIDONO photo

Dufficy 4-7 0-1 8, Mason 2-4 0-2 4, E.West 1-5 0-0 3, O.West 3-10 6-8 13, Brewster 6-13 3-6 16, Geer 0-2 0-0 0, Jensen 0-0 0-0 0, Bassett 1-3 3-3 5, Daulton 1-1 0-0 2, Prince 0-0 0-0 0, Harris 0-1 0-0 0, Franson 0-0 1-2 1, Totals 18-46 13-22 52.

Montana State 14 6 17 27–64

Utah State 11 9 15 17–52

3-Point Goals–Montana State 10-24 (Junkermier 0-1, Caudill 3-6, Squires 5-9, Martell 1-3, Van Sickle 0-2, Hartchard 1-3), Utah State 3-9 (E.West 1-2, O.West 1-3, Brewster 1-2, Geer 0-1, Bassett 0-1). Assists–Montana State 14 (Caudill 4), Utah State 5 (O.West 3). Fouled Out–Montana State, Smith. Rebounds–Montana State 34 (Smith 8), Utah State 31 (Dufficy). Total Fouls–Montana State 19, Utah State 16.