Cats Hit Marks in Win over South Dakota Mines

Friday, November 3

BOZEMAN

6 p.m.

Montana State University

0-0

South Dakota Mines (ex)

0-0

Team	1	2	3	4	F
South Dakota Mines	20	7	14	14	55
Montana State	28	19	20	17	84

Senior Rebekah Hatchard

Photo by: Andrew Pedersen

11/3/2017 8:46:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

“Our defensive effort was much improved from Wednesday night’s game against Montana Tech,” Binford said. “Offensively, we were able to knock down some shots from outside and that helped open things down low. We still have some challenges with our communication and getting into the flow of our offense, but overall it was a solid team performance.”

By: Tom Schulz

Looking over the final stat sheet Montana State head coach Tricia Binford simply said 'we hit our marks.' The Bobcats controlled the game offensively and defensively, while posting a positive assist/turnover ratio en route to an 84-55 win over South Dakota Mines, Friday night in exhibition action.

Montana State shot 67 percent from the field in the opening period, which included a six-of-10 performance from three-point range. The Bobcat barrage was led by sophomore Oliana Squires, who registered nine points in the opening 10-minutes, all from long distance.

Squires, a product of Colorado Springs, Colo., finished the first half with 13 points, while Madeline Smith and Delany Junkermier added eight and seven respectively to give MSU a 47-27 advantage at intermission.

"Our defensive effort was much improved from Wednesday night's game against Montana Tech," Binford said. "Offensively, we were able to knock down some shots from outside and that helped open things down low. We still have some challenges with our communication and getting into the flow of our offense, but overall it was a solid team performance."

Montana State took its largest lead of the game at 74-43 at the 6:23 mark of the final quarter on a layup via freshman Tori Martell.

Squires led three Bobcats in double-digits with a team-high 17 points, while freshman Laura Pranger finished with 11 and Smith 10.

For the game, MSU shot 51 percent from the floor, while holding the Hardrockers to 36 percent. The Cats connected on 14-of-32 from three-point range. Montana State also held a 40-27 advantage under the boards and were paced by Smith with a game-high 10 rebounds.

The Bobcats will open the regular season on Nov. 10 when it travels to Los Angeles to face Pac-12 power USC. MSU will conclude its southern California road trip at Long Beach State on Nov. 12.