Bobcat women repeat as Big Sky Champs
3/8/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Smith, a junior from Ronan, notched a career-high 22 points, converting five-of-five from the field, one-of-one from three-point territory and set a school-record going 11-of-11 from the line as the Bobcats cruised to a 101-62 victory over Eastern Washington.
"It was just my night, I guess," Smith said. "I got a lot of help from the teammates. Our team is really clicking right now. We had a point to prove after the Sacramento game. We wanted to get the road sweep."
With the victory, Montana State captured its second consecutive Big Sky Conference championship. Weber State, who defeated Idaho State 72-69 on Saturday night, shares the league title with the Bobcats and will host the tournament for the second straight season.
Montana State (20-7, 11-3) jumped out to a quick 11-4 advantage and built the margin to 50-25 at intermission. In the first stanza, the Bobcats shot 61 percent from the field and out-rebounded Eastern Washington (16-11, 7-7) 21 to 11.
"We came out with heart and passion," said MSU head coach Robin Potera-Haskins. "We knew that a win would give us a championship and we couldn’t control what was happening with Weber State and Montana.
"The kids played their hearts out and gave a tremendous effort," Potera-Haskins added. "This will give us a lot of confidence heading into the Big Sky tournament."
In the second half, MSU maintained its double-digit lead and built its largest lead of the game at 101-60 on a Candis Wilcox three-pointer with 19-seconds remaining.
For the game, the Bobcats shot a school-record 66 percent from the field, including a red-hot 73 percent in the second stanza. MSU also set a new school mark for three-point field-goal percentage shooting 79 percent (11-of-14) from three-point land.
Montana State was paced in the win by Wilcox, who notched a career-high 24 points, including a six-of-eight effort from three-point range. She also had nine assists and four steals.
Also in double-digits for the Bobcats was Isabel Stubbs with 18, Kati Burrows with 15 and Brandi Lewis with 12 points, all from three-point range.
Eastern Washington was led by Michelle Demetruk with 17 points, while Kathleen Nygaard added 15.
MSU will receive a first-round bye for the third consecutive year. Montana will face Northern Arizona, while Portland State and Eastern Washington will meet in the other opening round game next Thursday night in Ogden.
"It was just my night, I guess," Smith said. "I got a lot of help from the teammates. Our team is really clicking right now. We had a point to prove after the Sacramento game. We wanted to get the road sweep."
With the victory, Montana State captured its second consecutive Big Sky Conference championship. Weber State, who defeated Idaho State 72-69 on Saturday night, shares the league title with the Bobcats and will host the tournament for the second straight season.
Montana State (20-7, 11-3) jumped out to a quick 11-4 advantage and built the margin to 50-25 at intermission. In the first stanza, the Bobcats shot 61 percent from the field and out-rebounded Eastern Washington (16-11, 7-7) 21 to 11.
"We came out with heart and passion," said MSU head coach Robin Potera-Haskins. "We knew that a win would give us a championship and we couldn’t control what was happening with Weber State and Montana.
"The kids played their hearts out and gave a tremendous effort," Potera-Haskins added. "This will give us a lot of confidence heading into the Big Sky tournament."
In the second half, MSU maintained its double-digit lead and built its largest lead of the game at 101-60 on a Candis Wilcox three-pointer with 19-seconds remaining.
For the game, the Bobcats shot a school-record 66 percent from the field, including a red-hot 73 percent in the second stanza. MSU also set a new school mark for three-point field-goal percentage shooting 79 percent (11-of-14) from three-point land.
Montana State was paced in the win by Wilcox, who notched a career-high 24 points, including a six-of-eight effort from three-point range. She also had nine assists and four steals.
Also in double-digits for the Bobcats was Isabel Stubbs with 18, Kati Burrows with 15 and Brandi Lewis with 12 points, all from three-point range.
Eastern Washington was led by Michelle Demetruk with 17 points, while Kathleen Nygaard added 15.
MSU will receive a first-round bye for the third consecutive year. Montana will face Northern Arizona, while Portland State and Eastern Washington will meet in the other opening round game next Thursday night in Ogden.
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