Cats Fall to Women of Troy

Friday, November 10

Los Angeles, CA

5 p.m.

Montana State University

0-1

USC

1-0

Montana State

USC

Madeline Smith had a team-high 13 points against USC.

Photo by: Rich Schmitt

11/10/2017 8:02:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

“USC’s pressure made us uncomfortable from the start,” said MSU head coach Tricia Binford. “We pressed in response and struggled to get settled in. You can’t let a team of that caliber get comfortable and they just capitalized off our mistakes.”

By: Tom Schulz

Montana State senior Hannah Caudill connected on back-to-back three-pointers to open the game and the season for the Bobcats. The spark was quickly doused as USC converted four Bobcat turnovers into ten points and the Women of Troy cruised to a 98-47 victory, Friday night in the Galen Center.

In all, USC (1-0) out-scored Montana State (0-1) 24-0 on points off of turnovers.

"USC's pressure made us uncomfortable from the start," said MSU head coach Tricia Binford. "We pressed in response and struggled to get settled in. You can't let a team of that caliber get comfortable and they just capitalized off our mistakes."

USC pushed the margin to 50-26 at intermission.

The Bobcats opened the third quarter on an 8-3 run behind consecutive layups by Delany Junkermier, Blaire Braxton, Madeline Smith and Caudill. The Women of Troy responded holding MSU to one bucket in the next four minutes while expanding its lead to 35-points.

Smith guided all Montana State players with 13 points, connecting on six-of-eight from the field. She also added four rebounds and two assists. Junkermier finished with seven points and a team-best five rebounds, while Caudill ended with eight points.

For the game, USC shot 60 percent from the field and converted 13-25 from long distance and 15-20 from the line. Five USC players reached double-figures led by Sadie Edwards with 30 points, which included a six-of-nine effort from beyond the arc.

Montana State shot 35 percent from the floor and went seven-of-28 from 3-point range.

"It'll be a great opportunity to see how we respond," Binford said. "We have a chance to turn the page quickly and respond with greater urgency."

The Bobcats will play at Long Beach State on Sunday afternoon.