Bobcat Women Continue Mastery over Weber State in Big Sky Conference Opener

Thursday, December 29

Ogden, UT

7 p.m.

Montana State University

8-3,BSC 1-0

Weber State

6-6,BSC 0-1

Montana State

Weber State

Hannah Caudill had a career-high 20 points at Weber State on Thursday.

Photo by: Adrian Sanchez-Gonzalez

Bobcat Women Continue Mastery over Weber State in Big Sky Conference Opener

12/29/2016 10:19:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

The victory was Montana State’s seventh consecutive win.

By: Tom Schulz

Montana State continued its mastery of Weber State defeating the Wildcats for the 19^th consecutive time with an 83-68 decision over WSU in the Big Sky Conference opener for both teams, Thursday night in the Dee Events Center.

The victory was Montana State's seventh consecutive win.

For the second straight contest, Montana State (8-3, 1-0) used a dominant fourth quarter performance to secure the victory. Leading by two points heading into the final frame, the Bobcats scored five straight coming out of the break to take a 61-54 advantage on a Blaire Braxton layup.

Weber State (6-6, 0-1) whittled the lead to 66-62 with 6:03 remaining, before the Bobcats went on a 7-0 run over the next four minutes sparked by a Hannah Caudill triple and four points via Delany Junkermier. MSU went eight-of-eight from the line in the final minute to win its second straight league opener.

"This was a strong road win against a very talented, high-pressure team," said MSU 12^th year head coach Tricia Binford. "I'm proud of the way our kids fought and closed out the game. Road wins in the Big Sky Conference are rare and it was a total team effort, especially in the fourth quarter."

Caudill guided the Bobcats with a career-high 20 points, which included a four-of-seven effort from three-point range and a six-of-six performance at the free throw line. In addition, the Spokane, Wash., product recorded four assists, two rebounds and a blocked shot.

"Hannah had a terrific night running the team," Binford said. "She shot the ball really well and was aggressive the entire game."

Aside from Caudill's performance, the Bobcats had four other players finish in double digits, including Riley Nordgaard 16, Junkermier 13, Annika Lai 13 and Madeline Smith 10.

Lai, a sophomore from Boulder, Colorado came off the bench to record her first career double-double pacing the Bobcats under the boards with a game and career-high ten rebounds. Her 13-point effort matched a career-high set against Utah State earlier this season. For the game, Lai connected on four-of-four from the field and was five-of-six at the line. She also added two assists, a steal and a blocked shot.

"Our bench continues to be a strength," Binford said. "The bench outscored them by 13 points. Annika had a strong performance attacking the rim, and Madeline came in the first half and scored the ball well."

For the game, the Bobcats shot 54 percent from the field, including 64 percent in the third quarter, while holding Weber State to 37 percent from the floor. MSU held a commanding 46-26 advantage on the boards.

Weber State was led by Emily Drake with 23 points, including four 3-pointers.

MSU will play at Idaho State on Saturday at 2 p.m. in Reed Gym.