Tuesday, December 18
BOZEMAN
7 p.m.
Montana State University
vs
South Dakota State
Photo by: R. Dean Hendrickson
Bobcats Host Mid-Major Power South Dakota State on Tuesday Night
12/17/2018 4:13:00 PM | Women's Basketball
The Bobcat women’s basketball team will close out its non-conference schedule when it hosts South Dakota State on Tuesday, Dec. 18 at 7 p.m. in Worthington Arena.
WHO: South Dakota State at Montana State
WHEN: Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2018 @ 7 p.m. (MT)
WHERE: Bozeman, MT - Worthington Arena (6,772)
RECORDS: MSU- 5-4, 0-0; So. Dakota State- 7-4, 0-0
SERIES: First Meeting
LAST MTG: First Meeting
RADIO: My 103.5 FM KZMY with Jason Alvine
VIDEO: WatchBigSky.com; Pluto TV Ch. 238
NEXT UP: The Bobcat women's basketball team will close out its non-conference schedule when it hosts South Dakota State on Tuesday, Dec. 18 at 7 p.m. in Worthington Arena. Montana State is coming off a come-from-behind 59-56 victory over Omaha on Sunday afternoon, while the Jackrabbits defeated Savannah State 97-49 on Friday in Brookings. Following the Christmas break, MSU will open its Big Sky Conference season when it hosts Southern Utah on Saturday, Dec. 29 at 2 p.m. in Worthington Arena.
ON A SERIES NOTE: Believe it or not, Montana State and South Dakota State have never met on the hardwood. In fact, MSU hasn't faced any of the NCAA Division-I schools in South Dakota. Both SDSU and USD are members of The Summit League. Montana State's last win over an opponent from The Summit League was on Sunday against Omaha. Former Big Sky member North Dakota will play its first season in The Summit League this winter.
STAT OF THE WEEK: After coming out flat against Omaha on Sunday, MSU shot eight-of-11 (72.7%) from the field in the fourth quarter to get the win.
MORE ON THE JACKRABBITS: South Dakota State, a perennial mid-major power, enters Tuesday night's tilt 7-4 overall. Three of its losses have come to #4 Baylor, #7 Oregon and #19 Marquette. The Jackrabbits defeated #21 Drake 80-71 on Dec. 8 in Brookings. Last week, South Dakota State was ranked fourth in the mid-major poll behind Gonzaga, Drake and South Dakota. The Jackrabbits were the preseason favorite to win The Summit League. USD was picked second, while former Big Sky foe North Dakota was tabbed sixth and Omaha eighth. Last winter, SDSU went 26-7 overall and 12-2 in conference play- second to South Dakota. On the season, the Jackrabbits have been led by Macy Miller at 17.1 points per game. Miller recently became SDSU's all-time leading scorer.
LOOKING AT LUNDBERG: Transfer Claire Lundberg has already made an impact on the court for the Bobcat women's basketball program. The Anoka High School product is third in the Big Sky averaging 17.8 points per contest. In addition, she is first in free throw percentage (87.5), second in field-goals made (58) and points (160) and third in field-goal percentage (48.7). Lundberg opened the season hitting her first 22 attempts from the charity stripe, just three shy to the record held by Rebecca Mercer. On the season, Lundberg has been in double-digit scoring in all nine games, including three games with 20 points or more. She posted a season-high 28 points in MSU's win over Delaware on Nov. 16. Lundberg was named the Big Sky Conference Player of the Week for Nov. 20 after averaging 27 points and six rebounds per game as MSU knocked-off Delaware and Texas State in WNIT action. For the two games, the native of Andover, Minn., shot 76.2 percent from the field, 83.3 percent from beyond the arc; and was 17-17 at the charity stripe. In addition, she registered three steals. Lundberg threw a perfect game against Texas State hitting eight-of-eight from the field, four-of-four from long distance and six-of-six from the free throw line.
KUDERER'S KUDOS: Junior Martha Kuderer, who also sat out last season after transferring from Seton Hall, is averaging 9.9 points and 5.2 rebounds per game, after recording five points and four rebounds in MSU's win over Omaha. Kuderer also posted a season-best five steals against the Mavericks. Kuderer had her best weekend of the season as Montana State faced Delaware and Texas State in the WNIT. The 5-11 forward from Eden Prairie, Minn., averaged 19 points and 7.5 rebounds, while shooting 62.5 percent from the field against the Blue Hens and Bobcats. She had her best outing against Texas State with a season-high 21 points, connecting on 8-12 from the floor. In MSU's win over Delaware, Kuderer posted 17 points and 10 rebounds for her first double-double as a Bobcat. On the season, she has been in double-digit scoring on three occasions.
HOLY MOLY, OLI: Oliana Squires is averaging 11.2 points per game through the first nine games of the season. The Colorado Springs, Colo., product notched a season-high 19 points in MSU's win over Omaha on Sunday. Squires also notched a career-high eight assists and hauled down a career-high seven rebounds against the Mavs. In the season-opener against No. 19-ranked Marquette, Squires nailed four 3-pointers. She has been in double-digit scoring in six of MSU's nine games. Squires is currently ranked fourth in the Big Sky Conference with 61 3-point field-goal attempts.
TORI, TORI, TORI: Montana State sharp-shooter Tori Martell is still looking for a consistent stroke this season. The Somerset, Wis., native is 12-of-60 from long distance. Last season, Martell connected on 36 three-pointers, including 19 in the last eight games of the season. She is currently averaging 6.3 points per game. Martell recorded six points against Omaha on Sunday afternoon, all coming from long distance. She also posted three boards vs. UNO.
BARDS OF THE BLOCK: Juniors Madeline Smith and Blaire Braxton have manned the blocks for the Bobcats the past two seasons. The duo has swapped starting time at the five and each average 17.9 minutes or more per contest. Braxton, a product of Highlands Ranch, Colo., is first on the team hauling down 5.9 rebounds per game, while Smith, from Snohomish, Wash., is third averaging 5.1 per contest. Braxton's best outing of the season came against Long Beach State with a career-high 15 points going 5-5 from the field and 5-5 from the line. Smith registered ten points and 11 boards against Long Beach State for her first double-double of the season. On Sunday, the duo combined for 13 points and 13 rebounds, while shooting 60 percent from the floor. On the season, the twosome is shooting an impressive 63 percent (43-68) from the floor.
THE WRIGHT STUFF: Freshman Halle Wright received her first start of the season against TCU last Saturday. The Aumsville, Ore., product posted four assists, three rebounds and two assists in her debut against the Horned Frogs. Wright missed the first three games of the season with a leg injury. She had her best outing of the season in MSU's win over Long Beach State with eight points, three boards and two assists.
FEET TO THE FIRE: Freshmen Gabby Mocchi has played in all nine games and is averaging 2.0 rebounds per game. She posted a season-best eight points at Wyoming on Nov. 27. The Champlin-Park grad recorded three points, an assist and a steal against Omaha. Kamden Hilborn has played in eight games and has dished out eight assists, while adding eight steals.
THROWING SHAIDE: Junior Madisyn Shaide had a career night against one of the best squads in the nation this season. Against No. 19 Marquette, the Missoula native went two-of-four from beyond the arc for a career-high six points. The Big Sky High School graduate also added an assist.
NO PLACE LIKE HOME: The Cats saw the nation's second longest home court win streak snapped against Portland State on Jan. 11, 2018. The loss broke MSU's 31-game home streak, which was second to national power UConn (78). Before the loss to PSU, Montana State's last defeat in Worthington Arena was a 62-49 decision to San Diego on Nov. 24, 2015. MSU has won 38 of its last 40 games in The Brick. The Bobcats are averaging 3,253 fans per game, which includes its sold out crowd of 6,772 against Carroll College on Nov. 6. MSU is ranked 29th in the nation in attendance.
WHEN: Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2018 @ 7 p.m. (MT)
WHERE: Bozeman, MT - Worthington Arena (6,772)
RECORDS: MSU- 5-4, 0-0; So. Dakota State- 7-4, 0-0
SERIES: First Meeting
LAST MTG: First Meeting
RADIO: My 103.5 FM KZMY with Jason Alvine
VIDEO: WatchBigSky.com; Pluto TV Ch. 238
NEXT UP: The Bobcat women's basketball team will close out its non-conference schedule when it hosts South Dakota State on Tuesday, Dec. 18 at 7 p.m. in Worthington Arena. Montana State is coming off a come-from-behind 59-56 victory over Omaha on Sunday afternoon, while the Jackrabbits defeated Savannah State 97-49 on Friday in Brookings. Following the Christmas break, MSU will open its Big Sky Conference season when it hosts Southern Utah on Saturday, Dec. 29 at 2 p.m. in Worthington Arena.
ON A SERIES NOTE: Believe it or not, Montana State and South Dakota State have never met on the hardwood. In fact, MSU hasn't faced any of the NCAA Division-I schools in South Dakota. Both SDSU and USD are members of The Summit League. Montana State's last win over an opponent from The Summit League was on Sunday against Omaha. Former Big Sky member North Dakota will play its first season in The Summit League this winter.
STAT OF THE WEEK: After coming out flat against Omaha on Sunday, MSU shot eight-of-11 (72.7%) from the field in the fourth quarter to get the win.
MORE ON THE JACKRABBITS: South Dakota State, a perennial mid-major power, enters Tuesday night's tilt 7-4 overall. Three of its losses have come to #4 Baylor, #7 Oregon and #19 Marquette. The Jackrabbits defeated #21 Drake 80-71 on Dec. 8 in Brookings. Last week, South Dakota State was ranked fourth in the mid-major poll behind Gonzaga, Drake and South Dakota. The Jackrabbits were the preseason favorite to win The Summit League. USD was picked second, while former Big Sky foe North Dakota was tabbed sixth and Omaha eighth. Last winter, SDSU went 26-7 overall and 12-2 in conference play- second to South Dakota. On the season, the Jackrabbits have been led by Macy Miller at 17.1 points per game. Miller recently became SDSU's all-time leading scorer.
LOOKING AT LUNDBERG: Transfer Claire Lundberg has already made an impact on the court for the Bobcat women's basketball program. The Anoka High School product is third in the Big Sky averaging 17.8 points per contest. In addition, she is first in free throw percentage (87.5), second in field-goals made (58) and points (160) and third in field-goal percentage (48.7). Lundberg opened the season hitting her first 22 attempts from the charity stripe, just three shy to the record held by Rebecca Mercer. On the season, Lundberg has been in double-digit scoring in all nine games, including three games with 20 points or more. She posted a season-high 28 points in MSU's win over Delaware on Nov. 16. Lundberg was named the Big Sky Conference Player of the Week for Nov. 20 after averaging 27 points and six rebounds per game as MSU knocked-off Delaware and Texas State in WNIT action. For the two games, the native of Andover, Minn., shot 76.2 percent from the field, 83.3 percent from beyond the arc; and was 17-17 at the charity stripe. In addition, she registered three steals. Lundberg threw a perfect game against Texas State hitting eight-of-eight from the field, four-of-four from long distance and six-of-six from the free throw line.
KUDERER'S KUDOS: Junior Martha Kuderer, who also sat out last season after transferring from Seton Hall, is averaging 9.9 points and 5.2 rebounds per game, after recording five points and four rebounds in MSU's win over Omaha. Kuderer also posted a season-best five steals against the Mavericks. Kuderer had her best weekend of the season as Montana State faced Delaware and Texas State in the WNIT. The 5-11 forward from Eden Prairie, Minn., averaged 19 points and 7.5 rebounds, while shooting 62.5 percent from the field against the Blue Hens and Bobcats. She had her best outing against Texas State with a season-high 21 points, connecting on 8-12 from the floor. In MSU's win over Delaware, Kuderer posted 17 points and 10 rebounds for her first double-double as a Bobcat. On the season, she has been in double-digit scoring on three occasions.
HOLY MOLY, OLI: Oliana Squires is averaging 11.2 points per game through the first nine games of the season. The Colorado Springs, Colo., product notched a season-high 19 points in MSU's win over Omaha on Sunday. Squires also notched a career-high eight assists and hauled down a career-high seven rebounds against the Mavs. In the season-opener against No. 19-ranked Marquette, Squires nailed four 3-pointers. She has been in double-digit scoring in six of MSU's nine games. Squires is currently ranked fourth in the Big Sky Conference with 61 3-point field-goal attempts.
TORI, TORI, TORI: Montana State sharp-shooter Tori Martell is still looking for a consistent stroke this season. The Somerset, Wis., native is 12-of-60 from long distance. Last season, Martell connected on 36 three-pointers, including 19 in the last eight games of the season. She is currently averaging 6.3 points per game. Martell recorded six points against Omaha on Sunday afternoon, all coming from long distance. She also posted three boards vs. UNO.
BARDS OF THE BLOCK: Juniors Madeline Smith and Blaire Braxton have manned the blocks for the Bobcats the past two seasons. The duo has swapped starting time at the five and each average 17.9 minutes or more per contest. Braxton, a product of Highlands Ranch, Colo., is first on the team hauling down 5.9 rebounds per game, while Smith, from Snohomish, Wash., is third averaging 5.1 per contest. Braxton's best outing of the season came against Long Beach State with a career-high 15 points going 5-5 from the field and 5-5 from the line. Smith registered ten points and 11 boards against Long Beach State for her first double-double of the season. On Sunday, the duo combined for 13 points and 13 rebounds, while shooting 60 percent from the floor. On the season, the twosome is shooting an impressive 63 percent (43-68) from the floor.
THE WRIGHT STUFF: Freshman Halle Wright received her first start of the season against TCU last Saturday. The Aumsville, Ore., product posted four assists, three rebounds and two assists in her debut against the Horned Frogs. Wright missed the first three games of the season with a leg injury. She had her best outing of the season in MSU's win over Long Beach State with eight points, three boards and two assists.
FEET TO THE FIRE: Freshmen Gabby Mocchi has played in all nine games and is averaging 2.0 rebounds per game. She posted a season-best eight points at Wyoming on Nov. 27. The Champlin-Park grad recorded three points, an assist and a steal against Omaha. Kamden Hilborn has played in eight games and has dished out eight assists, while adding eight steals.
THROWING SHAIDE: Junior Madisyn Shaide had a career night against one of the best squads in the nation this season. Against No. 19 Marquette, the Missoula native went two-of-four from beyond the arc for a career-high six points. The Big Sky High School graduate also added an assist.
NO PLACE LIKE HOME: The Cats saw the nation's second longest home court win streak snapped against Portland State on Jan. 11, 2018. The loss broke MSU's 31-game home streak, which was second to national power UConn (78). Before the loss to PSU, Montana State's last defeat in Worthington Arena was a 62-49 decision to San Diego on Nov. 24, 2015. MSU has won 38 of its last 40 games in The Brick. The Bobcats are averaging 3,253 fans per game, which includes its sold out crowd of 6,772 against Carroll College on Nov. 6. MSU is ranked 29th in the nation in attendance.
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