Cats Stifle Argos

Wednesday, November 15

BOZEMAN

6 p.m.

Montana State University

2-1

Providence (Mont.)

7-0

Providence

Montana State

Photo by: Rich Schmitt

11/15/2017 11:25:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

“I thought we came out sharp in the third quarter,” Binford said. “We had great tempo and we showed our balance across the board.”

By: Tom Schulz

Montana State used a stifling defense limiting Providence to just 21 percent from the field to cruise to a 66-31 victory over the Argos on Wednesday in Worthington Arena.

Montana State (2-1) grabbed a double-digit cushion on a pair of free throws by Oliana Squires at the end of the first quarter and pushed its advantage to 32-15 at intermission as sophomore Madeline Smith paced the Bobcats with seven points and 11 rebounds.

"Defensively, that was our most complete effort of the season," said MSU head coach Tricia Binford. "Our strong rebounding let us get out and transition. Great Falls is a team that can put a lot of points on the board and to hold them to thirty-one is a solid performance."

MSU opened the second half with back-to-back 3-pointers by Hannah Caudill and Squires as the Cats out-scored the Argos 34-16 in the second half.

"I thought we came out sharp in the third quarter," Binford said. "We had great tempo and we showed our balance across the board."

Smith finished the contest with nine points, while pulling down a career-high 19 rebounds. Caudill guided the Bobcats with a game-high 14 points, including a four-of-five effort from long distance.

Montana State finished the game shooting 38 percent from the field and 40 percent (10-25) from beyond the arc. The Bobcat defense held the Argos to just 18 percent in the final frame. Behinds Smith's performance under the boards, MSU out-rebounded Providence 52-32.

Providence was led by Kerstyn Pimperton with eight points, including a pair of 3-pointers.

The Bobcats will play at Omaha on Friday afternoon.