Bobcat Women End Magical Season With Six-Point Loss In League Final
3/9/2002 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Montana State and first-year head coach Robin Potera ended its magical season with a 53-47loss to Weber State in the championship game of the Big Sky Conference tournament,Saturday night in the Dee Events Center.
The Bobcats (18-11) were led in the loss freshman Kati Burrows with 13 points and sixrebounds, while Jessica Blake added ten points and a team-high seven rebounds. Burrows andsenior Rebecca Alvidrez were named to the Big Sky Conference All-Tournament team.
"Weber State was determined not to let us get the ball inside and they accomplished that goal,"
Potera said. "Stephanie Stanger hit some big shots and her free throws, as well."
Stanger was named tournament MVP after scoring 26 points, including a four-of-nine effort
from three-point range. Also in double-figures for Weber State (22-8) was Julie Gjertson with
11 points.
Montana State built its largest lead of the game at 20-14 at the 4:51 mark of the first half on a
Cassie Johnson jumper. However, the Wildcats answered with an 11-2 run to take a 25-22
advantage at halftime.
In the second stanza, WSU increased its lead to 36-26 at the 14:26 mark on a Crystal Howe
layin. Montana State then went on a 6-0 run to close within 36-32 with 11:24 remaining on a
Blake field-goal. However, Weber State answered to take its largest lead of the game at
51-38 on a pair of Stanger free throws with 4:37 left. MSU then went on a 7-0 run to cut the
margin to 51-45 with 1:30 remaining on a Blake basket. WSU iced the game with a pair of
Stanger free throws with 26-seconds remaining.
"I’m proud of our kids and the way they battled," Potera said. "We held them to 53 points,
but we just didn’t get any offense going.
"We will build on this experience for the future," Potera added. "Our seniors were
unbelievable. Rebecca (Alvidrez) and Jessica (Blake) carried us on their shoulders all season.
They are tremendous people and pioneers for our program."
MSU’s 18 victories matches last season’s win total and was the most ever recorded by a
rookie coach at Montana State. Potera also became the first coach in Bobcat history to win a
regular-season title and lead her team to the Big Sky Conference championship game in her
inaugural season with the Blue and Gold.
MSU also exceeded its preseason expectations as the Big Sky Conference coaches picked
them to finish fifth in the league.
"We had a great season and no one can take away the fact that we were Big Sky champions,"Potera said. "We will be a very hungry team next season."
The Bobcats (18-11) were led in the loss freshman Kati Burrows with 13 points and sixrebounds, while Jessica Blake added ten points and a team-high seven rebounds. Burrows andsenior Rebecca Alvidrez were named to the Big Sky Conference All-Tournament team.
"Weber State was determined not to let us get the ball inside and they accomplished that goal,"
Potera said. "Stephanie Stanger hit some big shots and her free throws, as well."
Stanger was named tournament MVP after scoring 26 points, including a four-of-nine effort
from three-point range. Also in double-figures for Weber State (22-8) was Julie Gjertson with
11 points.
Montana State built its largest lead of the game at 20-14 at the 4:51 mark of the first half on a
Cassie Johnson jumper. However, the Wildcats answered with an 11-2 run to take a 25-22
advantage at halftime.
In the second stanza, WSU increased its lead to 36-26 at the 14:26 mark on a Crystal Howe
layin. Montana State then went on a 6-0 run to close within 36-32 with 11:24 remaining on a
Blake field-goal. However, Weber State answered to take its largest lead of the game at
51-38 on a pair of Stanger free throws with 4:37 left. MSU then went on a 7-0 run to cut the
margin to 51-45 with 1:30 remaining on a Blake basket. WSU iced the game with a pair of
Stanger free throws with 26-seconds remaining.
"I’m proud of our kids and the way they battled," Potera said. "We held them to 53 points,
but we just didn’t get any offense going.
"We will build on this experience for the future," Potera added. "Our seniors were
unbelievable. Rebecca (Alvidrez) and Jessica (Blake) carried us on their shoulders all season.
They are tremendous people and pioneers for our program."
MSU’s 18 victories matches last season’s win total and was the most ever recorded by a
rookie coach at Montana State. Potera also became the first coach in Bobcat history to win a
regular-season title and lead her team to the Big Sky Conference championship game in her
inaugural season with the Blue and Gold.
MSU also exceeded its preseason expectations as the Big Sky Conference coaches picked
them to finish fifth in the league.
"We had a great season and no one can take away the fact that we were Big Sky champions,"Potera said. "We will be a very hungry team next season."
Wednesday, June 10
Friday, March 27
Monday, March 23
Friday, March 13
