Monday, January 14
Greeley, CO
7 p.m.
Montana State University
at
Northern Colorado
Photo by: Andrew Pedersen
Cats Face League-Leading UNC on Monday
1/13/2019 8:47:00 PM | Women's Basketball
A new 20-game Big Sky schedule quirk comes into play this week. Montana State travels to Greeley to face Northern Colorado, Monday, Jan. 14 at 7 p.m., then return to the College Hill to host Eastern Washington on Saturday, Jan. 19 at 2 p.m. in Worthington Arena.
WHO: Montana State at Northern Colorado
WHEN: Monday, Jan. 14, 2019 @ 7 p.m. (MT)
WHERE: Greeley, CO – Bank of Colorado Arena (2,734)
RECORDS: MSU- 8-7, 3-2, Northern Colorado- 10-4, 5-0
SERIES: Northern Colorado leads 13-12
LAST MTG: Feb. 3, 2018 - UNC 78, @ MSU 63
RADIO: 103.5 KZMY FM with Jason Alvine on play-by-play
VIDEO: Pluto TV ch. 241; WatchBigSky.com
NEXT UP: A new 20-game Big Sky schedule quirk comes into play this week. Montana State travels to Greeley to face Northern Colorado, Monday, Jan. 14 at 7 p.m., then return to the College Hill to host Eastern Washington on Saturday, Jan. 19 at 2 p.m. in Worthington Arena.
ON A SERIES NOTE: Northern Colorado holds a slim 13-12 advantage in the all-time series between the Big Sky rivals. The Bears have won the last four meetings and eight of the last ten contests, as well. MSU's last win over UNC, 66-58, came on Jan. 16, 2016 in Bozeman. The Bobcats' last victory in Greeley, 68-55, was on Jan. 16, 2014. The series started Feb. 22, 1980 - an 88-71 Bobcat win in Greeley.
STAT OF THE WEEK: In its eight victories this season, Montana State is out-scoring their opponents 37.3 to 32.3 in the second half. In its seven losses, the Bobcats are being out-scored in the second half 39.2 to 29.9. Montana State has out-scored its opponents only in the first quarter this season. Its poorest quarter has been the third, where it's being out-scored 17.4 to 16.2 per game.
MORE ON THE BEARS: The Bears enter Monday's contest with a 5-0 Big Sky Conference record after knocking off Montana 73-62 on Saturday afternoon in Missoula. Senior Savannah Smith notched a game-high 31 points, connecting on 10-of-27 from the field and seven-of-eight from the free throw line. In addition, she recorded 4 3-pointers, four steals, two assists and a rebound. Also in double-figures for Northern Colorado were Alexis Chapman 17 and Abby Kain 11. Ali Meyer paced the Bears under the glass with a game-high 13 rebounds. On the season, UNC has used a short bench, going two deep in most games. Its starting five of Meyer, Bridget Hintz, Krysta Leger-Walker, Smith and Chapman average between 29.8-38.5 minutes per game. The Bears have been led in scoring by Smith, who is averaging 18.9 points, while shooting 33 percent from the field and 29 percent from long distance. Also averaging double-digits is Chapman at 13.1 ppg. Under the boards, Meyer averages 11.9 rpg. UNC is under the direction of first-year head coach Jenny Huth.
LAUDING LUNDBERG: Transfer Claire Lundberg has made a big impact on the court for the Bobcat women's basketball program. The Anoka High School product is fourth in the Big Sky averaging 18.3 points per contest. In addition, she is first in three-point field-goal percentage (41.9); second in field-goals made (71); third in points (274) and field-goal percentage (47.8), fourth in free throw percentage (87.0), 3-pt. field-goals made (36) and 3-pt. field-goals per game (2.4) and sixth in field-goals attempted (207). 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 14 of 15 games, including six games with 20 points or more. She posted a season-high 28 points in MSU's win over Delaware on Nov. 16. Lundberg was Big Sky 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. The native of Andover, Minn., threw a perfect game against Texas State on Nov. 17 hitting eight-of-eight from the field, four-of-four from long distance and six-of-six from the free throw line. Against Idaho last Thursday, she was held to single-digit scoring for the first time this season posting nine points against the Vandals on 4-of-14 from the floor. Lundberg also hauled down four rebounds and had two blocks in the loss.
HOLY MOLY, OLI: Oliana Squires is averaging 11.2 points per game. The Colorado Springs, Colo., product notched a season-high, as well as a career-high 21 points in MSU's win over Northern Arizona on Dec. 31. Against the Lumberjacks, she went 5-of-11 from the floor and was nine-of-10 from the line. In the season-opener against No. 19-ranked Marquette, Squires nailed four 3-pointers. She has been in double-digit scoring in ten of MSU's 15 games. Squires nearly pulled off a triple double at Sacramento State on Jan.5 with 13 points, a career-high ten rebounds and seven assists. Against Idaho on Thursday, Squires posted 15 points and dished out a career-high nine assists. She also had five rebounds.
KUDERER'S KUDOS: Junior Martha Kuderer, who also sat out last season after transferring from Seton Hall, is averaging 10.1 points and 5.5 rebounds per game. Kuderer had her best Big Sky outing recording 19 points and six rebounds in MSU's win over Sacramento State. She had her best weekend of the season as Montana State faced Delaware and Texas State in the WNIT in November. 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. Kuderer 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, she posted 17 points and 10 rebounds for her first double-double at MSU. On the season, she has been in double-digit scoring on seven occasions, but was held scoreless for the first time against Idaho.
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 19 minutes or more per contest. Braxton, a product of Highlands Ranch, Colo., is first on the team hauling down 6.0 rebounds per game, while Smith, from Snohomish, Wash., is third averaging 5.1 per contest. Braxton recorded a career-high 18 points in MSU's loss to Idaho on Thursday. For the game, she connected on seven-of-11 from the field and was four-of-six from the line. She also pulled down a team-best eight rebounds and had a block. Smith registered a season-high 11 points against Idaho, as well, knocking down five-of-10 attempts to go along with five rebounds. Smith has been in double-figure scoring on four occasions, while Braxton has three double-digit games. On the season, the duo has combined to shoot an impressive 57 percent (83-145) from the floor.
THE WRIGHT STUFF: Freshman Halle Wright received her first start against TCU on Dec. 8. The Aumsville, Ore., product posted four assists and three rebounds in her debut against the Horned Frogs. Wright missed the first three games with a leg injury. She had her best game in MSU's loss to Idaho with a season-high 10 points, shooting four-of-nine from the floor. Wright also pulled down a season-best eight boards vs. the Vandals.
TORI, TORI, TORI: Montana State sophomore Tori Martell has connected on 15 three-pointers this season. The Somerset, Wis., native connected on 36 three-pointers, including 19 in the last eight games of the season, last winter. She is currently averaging 5.4 points per game. Martell returned to the Bobcat line-up against Idaho after sitting out games at Sacramento State and Portland State with injury.
FEET TO THE FIRE: Freshman Gabby Mocchi has played in all 15 games and is averaging 1.9 points per game. She posted a season-best eight points at Wyoming on Nov. 27. Freshman Kamden Hilborn has played in 14 games and has dished out 22 assists, while adding eleven steals. On Thursday, the Helena High product played 25 minutes and had four assists.
THROWING SHAIDE: Madisyn Shaide had a career night against then No. 19 Marquette. The Missoula native went 2-of-4 from beyond the arc for a career-high six points.
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. 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 40 of its last 44 games in The Brick. The Bobcats are averaging 2,231 fans per game, which includes its sold out crowd of 6,772 against Carroll College on Nov. 6. MSU is ranked 54th in the nation in attendance.
WHEN: Monday, Jan. 14, 2019 @ 7 p.m. (MT)
WHERE: Greeley, CO – Bank of Colorado Arena (2,734)
RECORDS: MSU- 8-7, 3-2, Northern Colorado- 10-4, 5-0
SERIES: Northern Colorado leads 13-12
LAST MTG: Feb. 3, 2018 - UNC 78, @ MSU 63
RADIO: 103.5 KZMY FM with Jason Alvine on play-by-play
VIDEO: Pluto TV ch. 241; WatchBigSky.com
NEXT UP: A new 20-game Big Sky schedule quirk comes into play this week. Montana State travels to Greeley to face Northern Colorado, Monday, Jan. 14 at 7 p.m., then return to the College Hill to host Eastern Washington on Saturday, Jan. 19 at 2 p.m. in Worthington Arena.
ON A SERIES NOTE: Northern Colorado holds a slim 13-12 advantage in the all-time series between the Big Sky rivals. The Bears have won the last four meetings and eight of the last ten contests, as well. MSU's last win over UNC, 66-58, came on Jan. 16, 2016 in Bozeman. The Bobcats' last victory in Greeley, 68-55, was on Jan. 16, 2014. The series started Feb. 22, 1980 - an 88-71 Bobcat win in Greeley.
STAT OF THE WEEK: In its eight victories this season, Montana State is out-scoring their opponents 37.3 to 32.3 in the second half. In its seven losses, the Bobcats are being out-scored in the second half 39.2 to 29.9. Montana State has out-scored its opponents only in the first quarter this season. Its poorest quarter has been the third, where it's being out-scored 17.4 to 16.2 per game.
MORE ON THE BEARS: The Bears enter Monday's contest with a 5-0 Big Sky Conference record after knocking off Montana 73-62 on Saturday afternoon in Missoula. Senior Savannah Smith notched a game-high 31 points, connecting on 10-of-27 from the field and seven-of-eight from the free throw line. In addition, she recorded 4 3-pointers, four steals, two assists and a rebound. Also in double-figures for Northern Colorado were Alexis Chapman 17 and Abby Kain 11. Ali Meyer paced the Bears under the glass with a game-high 13 rebounds. On the season, UNC has used a short bench, going two deep in most games. Its starting five of Meyer, Bridget Hintz, Krysta Leger-Walker, Smith and Chapman average between 29.8-38.5 minutes per game. The Bears have been led in scoring by Smith, who is averaging 18.9 points, while shooting 33 percent from the field and 29 percent from long distance. Also averaging double-digits is Chapman at 13.1 ppg. Under the boards, Meyer averages 11.9 rpg. UNC is under the direction of first-year head coach Jenny Huth.
LAUDING LUNDBERG: Transfer Claire Lundberg has made a big impact on the court for the Bobcat women's basketball program. The Anoka High School product is fourth in the Big Sky averaging 18.3 points per contest. In addition, she is first in three-point field-goal percentage (41.9); second in field-goals made (71); third in points (274) and field-goal percentage (47.8), fourth in free throw percentage (87.0), 3-pt. field-goals made (36) and 3-pt. field-goals per game (2.4) and sixth in field-goals attempted (207). 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 14 of 15 games, including six games with 20 points or more. She posted a season-high 28 points in MSU's win over Delaware on Nov. 16. Lundberg was Big Sky 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. The native of Andover, Minn., threw a perfect game against Texas State on Nov. 17 hitting eight-of-eight from the field, four-of-four from long distance and six-of-six from the free throw line. Against Idaho last Thursday, she was held to single-digit scoring for the first time this season posting nine points against the Vandals on 4-of-14 from the floor. Lundberg also hauled down four rebounds and had two blocks in the loss.
HOLY MOLY, OLI: Oliana Squires is averaging 11.2 points per game. The Colorado Springs, Colo., product notched a season-high, as well as a career-high 21 points in MSU's win over Northern Arizona on Dec. 31. Against the Lumberjacks, she went 5-of-11 from the floor and was nine-of-10 from the line. In the season-opener against No. 19-ranked Marquette, Squires nailed four 3-pointers. She has been in double-digit scoring in ten of MSU's 15 games. Squires nearly pulled off a triple double at Sacramento State on Jan.5 with 13 points, a career-high ten rebounds and seven assists. Against Idaho on Thursday, Squires posted 15 points and dished out a career-high nine assists. She also had five rebounds.
KUDERER'S KUDOS: Junior Martha Kuderer, who also sat out last season after transferring from Seton Hall, is averaging 10.1 points and 5.5 rebounds per game. Kuderer had her best Big Sky outing recording 19 points and six rebounds in MSU's win over Sacramento State. She had her best weekend of the season as Montana State faced Delaware and Texas State in the WNIT in November. 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. Kuderer 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, she posted 17 points and 10 rebounds for her first double-double at MSU. On the season, she has been in double-digit scoring on seven occasions, but was held scoreless for the first time against Idaho.
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 19 minutes or more per contest. Braxton, a product of Highlands Ranch, Colo., is first on the team hauling down 6.0 rebounds per game, while Smith, from Snohomish, Wash., is third averaging 5.1 per contest. Braxton recorded a career-high 18 points in MSU's loss to Idaho on Thursday. For the game, she connected on seven-of-11 from the field and was four-of-six from the line. She also pulled down a team-best eight rebounds and had a block. Smith registered a season-high 11 points against Idaho, as well, knocking down five-of-10 attempts to go along with five rebounds. Smith has been in double-figure scoring on four occasions, while Braxton has three double-digit games. On the season, the duo has combined to shoot an impressive 57 percent (83-145) from the floor.
THE WRIGHT STUFF: Freshman Halle Wright received her first start against TCU on Dec. 8. The Aumsville, Ore., product posted four assists and three rebounds in her debut against the Horned Frogs. Wright missed the first three games with a leg injury. She had her best game in MSU's loss to Idaho with a season-high 10 points, shooting four-of-nine from the floor. Wright also pulled down a season-best eight boards vs. the Vandals.
TORI, TORI, TORI: Montana State sophomore Tori Martell has connected on 15 three-pointers this season. The Somerset, Wis., native connected on 36 three-pointers, including 19 in the last eight games of the season, last winter. She is currently averaging 5.4 points per game. Martell returned to the Bobcat line-up against Idaho after sitting out games at Sacramento State and Portland State with injury.
FEET TO THE FIRE: Freshman Gabby Mocchi has played in all 15 games and is averaging 1.9 points per game. She posted a season-best eight points at Wyoming on Nov. 27. Freshman Kamden Hilborn has played in 14 games and has dished out 22 assists, while adding eleven steals. On Thursday, the Helena High product played 25 minutes and had four assists.
THROWING SHAIDE: Madisyn Shaide had a career night against then No. 19 Marquette. The Missoula native went 2-of-4 from beyond the arc for a career-high six points.
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. 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 40 of its last 44 games in The Brick. The Bobcats are averaging 2,231 fans per game, which includes its sold out crowd of 6,772 against Carroll College on Nov. 6. MSU is ranked 54th in the nation in attendance.
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