Montana State University
Eastern Washington
Bobcat Women Face Final Homestand
2/10/2010 3:41:18 PM | Women's Basketball
The Montana State women's basketball team will close out its 2009-10 home schedule this weekend, beginning with league-leading Eastern Washington on Thursday night.
MONTANA STATE WEEKLY NOTES (pdf)
BOBCAT WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM HOSTS EASTERN WASHINGTON
AND PORTLAND STATE – THURSDAY IS 'THINK PINK' CELEBRATION -
MSU TO CELEBRATE 'SENIOR NIGHT' ON SATURDAY
ON THE DOCKET: The Montana State women's basketball team will conclude its 2009-10 regular-season home schedule when it hosts Eastern Washington, Thursday, Feb. 11, and Portland State, Saturday, Feb. 13. Both games are slated to tip at 7:05 p.m., in Worthington Arena. Thursday's game against EWU will be MSU's annual 'Think Pink' game, in which everyone is encouraged to wear pink to heighten awareness of the fight against breast cancer. On Saturday, the Bobcats will celebrate the careers of seniors Erica Perry and Jamie Thornton in a pregame ceremony.
ON THE AIR: Tyler Wiltgen, voice of the MSU women's basketball team, will broadcast both games this weekend on My 103.5 FM. Wiltgen will begin his broadcast at 6:45 p.m., and will conclude with head coach Tricia Binford following the contest.
The B2 NETWORK: All Montana State home games, as well as, Big Sky Conference contests will be video-streamed - free of charge - at www.B2tv.com or msubobcats.com.
'CAT CHAT: Montana State is on a three-game win streak, including a road sweep at Idaho State and Weber State. Last weekend marked the second straight sweep of the trip for the Bobcats. MSU is currently 12-11 overall and 5-5 in Big Sky Conference action. The Bobcats are sitting in fifth place in the league standings, behind Eastern Washington (7-2), Montana (7-3), Portland State (6-3) and Sacramento State (6-4).
RAIN DROPS KEEP FALLING ON MY HEAD: Montana State has rattled off three consecutive wins since the infamous 'Rain Delay' game against Northern Colorado on Jan. 30. The three-game winning streak matches it longest of the year and goes back to Nov. 22 as the 'Cats defeated Idaho, Southern Utah and Winthrop, respectively.
THE DISH ON TRISH: (61-78 Overall in 5th Year; 34-38 Big Sky in 5th Year) Tricia Binford is in her fifth season at Montana State. She became the 11th women's basketball coach at MSU on April 13, 2005. Prior to MSU, Binford, served two seasons as an assis¬tant at Utah State. At USU, Binford earned her coaching wings as the Aggies re-established its program following a 16-year hiatus. Binford also served as an assistant coach at her alma mater- Boise State University from 1999-2001. Binford was the 31st overall pick in the 1998 WNBA draft, and played professionally with the Cleveland Rockers from 1999-02, where she participated on the 2001 Eastern Conference Championship team. She played with the Utah Starzz from 1998-99. Binford played professionally in Australia for two years, including stints in the NWBL's Brisbane Blazers, Latrobe Demons and Launceston Tornadoes. As Tricia Bader, she was a three-time All-Big Sky selection at BSU and led the Broncos to a national ranking and the NCAA tournament. Binford was a member of the 1993 West Team at the US Olympic Festival. For her efforts, she was the 1996 Idaho NCAA Woman of the Year and was inducted in the Boise State Hall of Fame in 2001. Binford left BSU with the career assists record and was second in steals. She had 1,171 career points. Binford prepped at Roaring Fork High School in Carbondale, Colo., where she was the Colorado Player of the Year and a Street and Smith's All-American in 1991. She received her degree in crimi¬nal justice from Boise State in 1995. Binford and her husband Todd, have a son (Justin), and a daughter (Brooklyn). Binford is joined on the bench by Associate Head Coach Amy Sane¬holtz, who is in her fifth year, and assistants Justin Scanson (4th Year) and Mandy Close (2nd Year).
THAT WAS THE WEEK THAT WAS: Montana State overcame a 38-35 halftime deficit, out-scoring Idaho State 48-34 in the second stanza, to post an 83-72 win over the Bengals in Pocatello, last Friday. The win marked the first time in nine attempts this winter that MSU came back from being down at intermission to earn a victory. Senior Erica Perry paced the Bobcats with 25 points, six rebounds, four assists and two steals. Also in double-figures were Katie Bussey and Janette Jackson, with 18 and 12 points, respectively. Freshman Rachel Semansky guided MSU under the boards with a career-high 11 rebounds. On Saturday night Montana State defeated Weber State 76-59 as four Bobcats hit double-digits, led by Semansky with her first ever double-double. The pride of Highwood, recorded a career-best 16 points and 11 boards. Also in double-figures were Sarah Strand, Erica Perry and Katie Bussey with 14 points, apiece.
TO CATCH A THIEF: Last winter, MSU point guard Erica Perry finished first in Big Sky action in steals per game, averaging 2.75 per contest. The mark also ranked her 63rd in the nation at the NCAA Division I level. For her career, the Lynwood, Calif., native has posted 264 steals, which ranks 2nd all-time at MSU. Perry is 77 thefts shy of the Bobcats' all-time mark of 340, held by Liz Holz (1986-89).
A LENDING HAND: Montana State point guard Erica Perry was sixth in the Big Sky in assists per game, averaging 3.69 per outing. Perry's career total of 384 assists ranks her fifth on the all-time Bobcat chart. Perry needs 60 assists this season to break the all-time career mark of 443 held by Vicki Heebner (1980-84).
GET TO THE POINT: Erica Perry became the 15th player in MSU history to reach the 1000-point plateau. Perry reached the milestone in the first meeting with Idaho State (Jan. 2) and presently sits 12th on the all-time scoring list 1,098 career points. A four-year starter, she is averaging 12.4 points and 3.4 rebounds, while dishing out 3.0 assists in 23 games. Perry recorded a career high 28 points at Pacific, connecting on 8-13 from the field and 10-13 from the line. The first-team All-Big Sky pick is shooting 42 percent from the field and 77 percent from the stripe. Last weekend, she sparked the Bobcats averaging 19 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 3.0 steals per game. She had her best game against Idaho State, notching a game-high 25 points, including a 9-12 effort from the free throw line.
HOP ON THE BUS: Sophomore Katie Bussey leads the Bobcats in scoring, averaging 14.3 points per outing. In addition, she is first on the team with 56 three-pointers, while shooting 44 percent from beyond the arc- which is also 20th in the nation. Last weekend, Bussey averaged 16 points and connected on six triples. On the season, the 2008-09 Big Sky Conference Freshman of the Year is the top scoring sophomore in the Big Sky, and is also chipping in 3.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.2 steals per contest. Bussey posted a career-high 30 points and six 3-pointers at Pacific. She has been in double-digit scoring in 19 of MSU's 23 games.
SLEEPLESS IN SEATTLE: Sarah Strand is second on the team in scoring at 12.9 points per game, while leading the squad in rebounding, averaging 6.8 boards per outing. In all, the native of Shoreline, Wash., has posted 20 double-figure scoring games. As the Big Sky's leading junior scorer, Strand averaged 8.0 points and 6.5 rebounds, last week. She is also the top blocker on the team at 2.0 per contest. With two blocks at Weber State, Strand became MSU's all-time single-season record-holder (46), surpassing Alaina Bauer, who had 44 swats during the 1987-88 campaign. Strand's 2.0 blocks per game output is also 38th in the nation.
THE PRIDE OF HIGHWOOD: Rachel Semansky of defending Montana Class C champion Highwood High has found herself playing a major role this winter. With the early season in-jury to senior Jamie Thornton, the 6-0 forward has played in all 23 games, including 14 starts. In league play, Semansky is currently averaging 9.2 points and 7.2 rebounds, while shooting 58 percent from the field, which ranks 2nd in the BSC. Semansky posted a career-high 16 points, while pulling down 11 rebounds in MSU's win over Weber State on Saturday. For the weekend, Semansky hauled down a whopping 11.0 rebounds per game.
NASTY IF YOU WILL: Janette Jackson has played a major role in MSU's three game winning streak since being inserted into the starting line-up against Northern Colorado. The sophomore transfer from Missouri State has averaged 7.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, 1.7 assists and one steal per game, during MSU's recent run. In addition, she has connected at a 90 percent clip from the free throw line. In the Bobcats' win at Idaho State, Jackson recorded a career-high 12 points, hitting three field-goals and converting six-of-six from the charity stripe. Against Weber State, she logged seven points and six rebounds.
STICK IT TO 'EM: Lyndi Seidensticker has played in all 23 games to date, including eleven starts. The junior from Spokane is fourth on the team in scoring, averaging 6.8 points and 2.7 rebounds per game. Stick notched a career-high 21 points against Montana on Jan. 23, which included five three-pointers. One of MSU's top outside threats, Seidensticker is second on the squad with 26 triples on the season. Last weekend, she averaged five points and .35 rebounds per game.
THE HAMILTON HOOPSTER: Ashley Albert has settled into her freshman season and is becoming one of Montana State's top bench players. The graduate of Hamilton High School is averaging 6.6 points and 2.9 rebounds per game. In addition, Albert is fourth on the squad with 10 3-pointers and second in free throw percentage, shooting 86 percent from the line. Last weekend, Albert averaged 6.5 points and 2.5 rebounds per game. She had her best outing of the weekend in MSU's win over Idaho State with seven points and four rebounds. Her three-pointer at the 13:04 mark of the second half at Idaho State put an end to an ISU rally and gave MSU an eight-point cushion.
ALLY OOP: Ally Schmitt has played in all 23 games, including starts in the nine contests. Last weekend, Schmitt averaged 9.5 minutes per game and totaled two points, four assists (all four at Weber State), two rebounds and one steal. A graduate of Snohomish High School in Washington, Schmitt is averaging 2.1 points, two rebounds and 2.1 assists per game.
MILES FROM POLAND: Junior college transfer Beata Bak has played in all 23 games, including four starts. The native of Stalowa Wola, Poland, and transfer from Miles Community College, is fifth on the team in scoring, averaging 6.7 points, and is third in rebounding at 4.8 boards per contest. In addition, Bak is second on the team and 74th in the nation in blocks, averaging 1.6 swats per game. Last weekend, she pulled down four rebounds in MSU's win at Weber State.
SWISHA: Latisha Adams came in during the waning moments of both the Idaho State and Weber State game last weekend. She pulled down one rebound at Idaho State. The graduate of West Mesa High in Albuquerque, NM, is averaging 1.1 points and 0.9 rebound per game in 16 outings to date. Adams had her best outing against MSU Northern, notching a season-high 11 points on five-of-six shooting.
DO THE MATH: Senior Jamie Thornton, who started the first five games for Montana State and sat out 11 games with an MCL injury suffered in the first minute of action against Southern Utah, returned to the Bobcat line-up at Eastern Washington on Jan. 9 in Cheney. Thornton played in both games last weekend, and averaged nine minutes of action. The native of Pullman, Wash., had her best game as the Bobcats defeated Idaho State with four points and five rebounds.
NOTING THE 'CATS: Montana State is 12th in the country in blocked shots, averaging 5.6 per game...the Bobcats are 39th in the nation in scoring, pouring in 71.7 points per contest...Montana State leads the Big Sky Conference in rebound margin (+6.0), blocked shots (+5.4) and defensive rebound percentage (.713)...Sarah Strand leads the league in blocked shots (2.5) and is third in rebounding at 8.3 boards per game...Rachel Semansky is second in the Big Sky Conference hitting 58 percent from the field...Katie Bussey is third in three-point field-goals (2.4) and fourth in scoring (15.8).
OUTSTANDING IN HER FIELD: Montana State basketball standout Sarah Strand was named to the 2010 CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine Women's Basketball District VII All-Academic First-Team. By virtue of being named to the first-team, Strand's name will appear on the national ballot for Academic All-America honors. Strand, a 6-1 forward from Shoreline, Wash., is currently averaging 13.3 points and 6.8 rebounds per game. In addition, she is tied for the all-time Montana State single-season blocks record. Strand has also posted 19 double-figure scoring games this winter. Off the court, the junior has a 3.93 grade-point average in nursing and is a three-time All-Big Sky Conference Academic honoree. "Sarah has really set the bar for the type of student-athlete we want in our program," said MSU head coach Tricia Binford. "She is a tremendous player, a fantastic student and an outstanding person." Strand was one of five players named to the first-team. District VII encompasses NCAA Division I schools from Montana, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Alberta and Saskatchewan. "When you look at the size of district VII, this honor is quite an accomplishment," Binford said. "She was competing against student-athletes from conferences such as the Atlantic 10, Big Sky, Big 12, Big 10, Mountain West, Missouri Valley and the Summit League. To make the top five is something we're very proud of." Also named to the District VII All-Academic team were Kari Kincaid, Kansas State, Kellie Nelson, Creighton, Sam Schuett, Creighton and Ashley Sweat, Kansas State. Strand was the only Big Sky Conference player named to a district first-team squad. Kyla Evans of Eastern Washington garnered District VIII second-team accolades. The national Academic All-America team will be announced Feb. 23.
SCOUTING THE EAGLES: Eastern Washington is 14-8 overall and 7-2 in Big Sky Conference action. The Eagles started the league slate winning its first seven games, before dropping its last two conference outings to Portland State and Sacramento State. EWU handed MSU a 69-63 setback in Cheney on Jan. 9 as junior Julie Piper recorded 17 points and eight rebounds. Piper leads Eastern Washington in scoring and rebounding, averaging 11.1 and 7.3, respectively. EWU has six players who average between 6-10 points per contest. In its only game last weekend, the Eagles dropped a 78-69 decision to Sacramento State at Reese Court. EWU was paced in the loss by Nicole Scott with 16 points and nine rebounds.
SCOUTING THE VIKINGS: Portland State is 12-10 overall and 6-3 in Big Sky Conference action. The Vikings have won three of its last four games, with the only loss coming to Sacramento State (83-78) last weekend in the Stott Center. In their loss to the Horents, PSU was paced by Erin Yankus with 20 points and ten rebounds. Earlier this winter, PSU overcame a 20-point deficit to defeat MSU 69-62 in the Stott Center. The Viks were led in the victory by Claire Faucher with 28 points. Portland State, who plays at Montana on Friday night, has four players averaging double-figures in Big Sky action- Faucher, Kelly Merchant, Yankus and Kelli Valentine. On the season, PSU is led by Faucher, who averaged 14.5 points and 6.8 assists, and Marchant, who chips in 12.5 points and 2.5 rebounds.
THE 2009-10 MONTANA STATE ROSTER:# Player P Ht Yr Hometown
1 Erica Perry G 5-4 Sr Lynwood, CA/Edison HS
5 Janette Jackson G 5-8 So Denver, CO/Jefferson HS/Missouri St.
10 Katie Bussey G 5-9 So Alamosa, CO/Alamosa HS
11 Ally Schmitt G 5-7 Fr Snohomish, WA/Snohomish HS
20 Sarah Strand F 6-1 Jr Seattle, WA/King's HS
21 Lyndi Seidensticker G 6-0 Jr Spokane, WA/Lewis and Clark HS
23 Ashley Albert F 6-1 Fr Hamilton, MT/Hamilton HS
32 Rachel Semansky F 6-0 Fr Highwood, MT/Highwood HS
33 Beata Bak F 6-2 Jr Stalowa Wola, Poland/Miles CC
34 Latisha Adams G 5-9 Fr Albuquerque, NM/West Mesa HS
42 Jamie Thornton C 6-4 Sr Pullman, WA/Pullman HS
RS Chelsea Banis * C 6-4 Fr Fairfield, MT/Fairfield HS
RS Kelsey Roben * G 5-10 Fr Denver, CO/Regis Jesuit HS
Head Coach: Tricia Binford
Associate Head Coach: Amy Saneholtz
Assistant Coaches: Justin Scanson, Mandy Close
2008-09 BOBCAT HIGHLIGHTS: For the fourth consecutive year the Montana State women's basketball team ranked among the nation's finest in terms of academics at the NCAA Division I level. Last season, MSU was listed 4th overall for team grade-point average. Seven Bobcat players earned Big Sky Conference All-Academic honors. Included on the list were Katie Bussey, Nubia Garcia, Mara Hoeffer, Lyndi Seidensticker, Anne Phippard, Sarah Strand, and Jamie Thornton.....The MSU women's basketball team has posted six winning seasons in the last nine years and have notched 14 winning campaigns in the last 19 years. The Bobcats have also made 16 Big Sky Conference tournament appearances in the 21-year history of the league.....Montana State has made three postseason appearances. The 1992-93 squad lost to the University of Washington in the first-round of the 1993 NCAA Championships...MSU has made two WNIT appearances. The 1987-88 squad faced New Orleans, Ole Miss and UNLV, while the 2002-03 Bobcats were defeated by Colorado State.....Current sophomore Katie Bussey was named the 2008-09 Big Sky Conference Freshman of the Year. The native of Alamosa, Colo., finished her first season with the Bobcats averaging 10.7 points and 2.2 rebounds per game, while shooting 38 percent from the floor and 78 percent from the free throw line. In addition, she led the Bobcats with 38 three-pointers. Bussey is only the second Bobcat to garner the league's honor for rookies. The other MSU standout was Jennifer Curl in 1999.....During the Tricia Binford era at Montana State, the Bobcats have enjoyed an increase in attendance. Last winter, MSU averaged 1,660 fans per game, which ranked second in the Big Sky Conference. Montana State has a season-high 3,767 in attendance for the annual 'Cat-Griz clash in Worthington Arena.....The Bobcats ranked 13th in the nation in scoring offense at 74.1 points per game. MSU also finished 48th in the nation in free throw percentage at 73.2 percent.....The Bobcats had two all-league performers last winter. Erica Perry garnered first-team accolades, while Nubia Garcia was named to the second-team.
*2009-10 Redshirts
