Bobcats Earn Victory in Front of Sellout Crowd

Tuesday, November 6

BOZEMAN

11 a.m.

Montana State University

1-0

Carroll College

0-0

Carroll College

Montana State

Claire Lundberg had 25 points in her debut as a Bobcat.

Photo by: R. Dean Hendrickson

11/6/2018 2:30:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

“It was a fantastic atmosphere,” said MSU 14th-year head coach Tricia Binford. “It was super loud and noisy and a lot of fun to compete in.”

By: Tom Schulz

Montana State newcomer Claire Lundberg scored a game-high 25 points to guide the Bobcats to a 64-48 victory over Carroll College on Tuesday afternoon in front of 6,772 Bobcat School Day spectators. It marked the first ever sellout of a Bobcat women's basketball game.

"It was a fantastic atmosphere," said MSU 14^th-year head coach Tricia Binford. "It was super loud and noisy and a lot of fun to compete in."

Leading by four points after the opening frame, Montana State (1-0) rattled off a 15-5 run capped by a Lundberg 3-pointer at the 4:36 mark. The Saints chipped the lead down to six points heading into intermission.

MSU, who struggled finding its range from beyond the three-point line in the opening half, shooting just 20 percent, started pounding the ball into Lundberg down low in the waning moments of the third quarter. The Anoka, Minn., product responded connecting on four-of-four from the field, including six points in the final 1:48.

"I think what's starting to show, even early on, is when we need a go-to bucket Claire's finding ways to get it done," Binford said. "I love how our team looked for her. We need to find ways to get her into some good spots. I thought the team responded to that midway through the third quarter."

Montana State's Oliana Squires connected on a triple with 8:58 remaining in the game and the Bocbats never gave up its double-digit advantage.

Lundberg finished the contest shooting 11-of-14 from the field, including a pair of 3-pointers. Also in double-figures for the Cats were Squires 11 and Madeline Smith 10. MSU finished the game shooting 46 percent from the floor.

MSU held a slight advantage under the glass, out-rebounding Carroll 31-28. Martha Kuderer and Tori Martell led Montana State with seven boards, apiece.

Carroll College was led by Hannah Dean with 13 points and six rebounds.

"I think the biggest take away and the message after the game was being able to play in these types of atmospheres and being able to execute," Binford said. "We talked about communication on both ends of the floor. We didn't get everybody on the same page offensively, and that is why we never really got in to a good flow. Part of that was Carroll changing up some defense, but it was also self-induced by us not being in the same play. On the defensive end, we had too many communication breakdowns."

Montana State will travel to No. 19-ranked Marquette on Friday in the opener of the preseason WNIT. Tipoff is slated for 6 p.m. (MST).