Saturday, November 23
Minneapolis, MN
1 p.m.
Montana State University
at
(RV) Minnesota
Senior Martha Kuderer
Photo by: MSU photo by Kelly Gorham
Bobcats Face Golden Gophers
11/22/2019 4:43:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Montana State will continue its opening road trip with a stop at the University of Minnesota, Saturday, Nov. 23 at 1 p.m. (MT) in historic Williams Arena, aka The Barn.
WHO: Montana State at (RV) Minnesota
WHEN: Saturday, November 23, 2019 @ 1 p.m. (MT)
WHERE: Minneapolis, MN - Williams Arena (14,625)
RECORDS: MSU: 3-1, 0-0 BSC, Minnesota 3-1, 0-0 Big 10
SERIES: First Meeting
LAST MTG: First Meeting
RADIO: KZMY 103.5 FM, Mark Martello Play-by-Play
LIVE VIDEO: Live video streaming of Saturday's game by subscription at btnplus.com
NEXT UP: Montana State will continue its opening road trip with a stop at the University of Minnesota, Saturday, Nov. 23 at 1 p.m. (MT) in historic Williams Arena, aka The Barn. The Bobcats are coming off a 60-50 setback at South Dakota State in Brookings on Thursday night.
SERIES NOTE: This will be the first ever meeting between Montana State and Minnesota.
THE GOLDEN GOPHERS: Minnesota is 3-1 on the season after defeating No. 19 Arizona State 80-66 on Nov. 17 in Williams Arena. The Gophers will be playing its fifth contest of a six-game homestand to begin its 2019-20 campaign. Minnesota is under the direction of second-year head coach Lindsay Whalen. A legend in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, Whalen guided UM to a 21-11 overall mark and a 9-9 Big 10 ledger, last winter. Previously, Whalen starred for the Minnesota Lynx of the WNBA, where the squad won four WNBA titles. MSU head coach Tricia Binford, who also played in the WNBA for the Utah Starzz and Cleveland Rockers, never faced Whalen on the court.
HIGH FIVE: 1) Montana State faces six teams that posted 20-wins last year, along with two that advanced to the NCAA Sweet 16, three that finished ranked in the final USA Today/WBCA Coaches Top 25 poll and three that won their conference championship. 2) Oliana Squires, who garnered all-Big Sky Conference Third-Team accolades last winter, returns as Montana State's leading scorer at 11.4 points per game. In addition, she led the Big Sky in league games shooting 94 percent from the free throw line. 3) Tricia Binford, who enters her 15th season at the helm of the Bobcat program, will enjoy one of the biggest and most experienced senior classes in her tenure at MSU. Three-year starters Oliana Squires, Blaire Braxton and Madeline Smith will be joined by Martha Kuderer, who started in 27 games last winter after transferring from Seton Hall, and Fallyn Freije, who sat out last season under NCAA transfer rules. 4) Although she didn't play last season, Fallyn Freije is a familiar name in the Big Sky. The Edmore, N.D., played three seasons at North Dakota before transferring to MSU. Freije is a two-time all-Big Sky honorable mention selection and averaged 13.2 points and 7.7 rebounds per game as a junior. 5) Montana State, who went 16-15 overall and 11-9 in Big Sky play last winter, has not had a losing season since 2006-07.
THE STREAK: As a team, Montana State has recorded at least one three-pointer in the last 201 consecutive games. The last time the Bobcats were held without a three-pointer was Jan. 24, 2013 (0-9) at Weber State. MSU set a single-season record of 311 triples during the 2017-18 season.
OUT OF THE GATE: Montana State's 3-0 start was its best since opening the 2015-16 season with three straight wins- Seattle U, Nevada and Portland.
SIX DEGREES OF FALLYN FREIJE: Fallyn Freije is the only Bobcat to have faced Minnesota on the court. As a freshman, she recorded four points, two rebounds and an assist as the Golden Gophers defeated North Dakota 57-47 on Dec. 23, 2015.
WEATHERING THE STORM: Five current Bobcats played club ball for the Minnesota Fury, including Martha Kuderer, Tori Martell, Sidney Zieske, Gabby Mocchi and Kenzie Stumne. Last winter, senior Claire Lundberg also hailed from the Fury program, and 2019-20 signees Taylor Janssen and Sydney Stensgard are also part of the Fury AAU Club system.
HOLY MOLY, OLI: Oliana Squires, a 2019-20 preseason All-Big Sky Conference pick, is currently averaging 9.8 points per game after dropping in 10 points at South Dakota State on Thursday night. The senior tri-captain is second on the squad in assists (10) and three-point makes (6). Last winter, Squires earned All-Big Sky Conference Third-Team accolades after guiding the Bobcats averaging 11.4 points, 3.8 assists, 3.5 rebounds and a steal per game. Squires recorded twenty double-digit scoring games and went over the 20-point plateau on four occasions, including a career-high 23 points in MSU's win over Sacramento State. Squires' 92% free throw rate was tops on the squad and her 94% Big Sky only free throw percentage was best in the league.
MAD ABOUT YOU: Madeline Smith, who played in all 31 games, including 23 starts for the Bobcats last season, is currently averaging 6.3 points and 6.0 rebounds per game. The Snohomish, Wash., product posted MSU's first double-double of the season with 11 points and 10 rebounds in the Cats' victory over MSU Northern. After four games, Smith is shooting 55.6% from the field. Last winter, Smith averaged 8.8 points per game and was third in the Big Sky in field-goal percentage, shooting 53.7% from the floor. She had ten games in double-figure scoring and posted a career-high 27 points against Southern Utah. Smith also became the 25th member of MSU prestigious 500-rebound club, last winter. Her current total of 533 rebounds ranks 19th all-time.
MARTHA'S MOMENTS: Martha Kuderer has started in all four games and is averaging 9.5 points per game, while shooting 51.9% from the field. She has been in double-digits on two occasions, including a season-high 17 points in MSU's win over Carroll College. Last winter, the Eden Prairie, Minn., product averaged 10 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game. She finished ninth in the Big Sky connecting on 69-of-90 from the charity stripe and was among the top 30 scorers in the conference. Kuderer posted 11 games in double-figure scoring. She recorded a season-high 21 points against Texas State in preseason WNIT action. Her 44 steals were the best on the squad, and she tallied a season-best five steals against Omaha.
BOUNDING WITH BLAIRE: Blaire Braxton, who played in all 31 games, including seven starts for the Bobcats, last winter, is currently third on the team averaging 5.0 rebounds per game. In addition, Braxton is averaging 4.5 points per game. In MSU's win over Carroll College she pulled down a season-best nine rebounds. Last season, she finished first on the team hauling down 5.9 rebounds per game, which ranked 18th overall and in Big Sky action. Braxton ended the 2018-19 campaign averaging 7.0 points per outing and notched seven games in double-figure scoring, including a career-high 18 points against Idaho. She also recorded two double-digit rebounding games, including a season-high 13 boards in MSU's win at Eastern Washington. She saw remarkable improvement in field-goal percentage shooting a team-best 55.8% from the field. Braxton's 54% shooting acumen in Big Sky games was third best in the league. Braxton is currently 16th on MSU's all-time rebounding chart with 570 boards.
MVP, MVP, MVP: Despite not playing in a game for over a year and not ever wearing the Blue and Gold, Montana State senior Fallyn Freije was named preseason Big Sky Conference MVP. The Edmore, N.D. product played three seasons at North Dakota before transferring to Bozeman. Freije was a two-time All-Big Sky performer for the Fighting Hawks, where she averaged 13.2 points and 7.7 rebounds per game as a junior. She played in 90 games and started in 58 of her appearances at UND. Freije had recorded 838 points, is a 41.5% shooter from the field and has amassed 505 rebounds over the course of her collegiate career.
DEEP FREIJE: Senior Fallyn Freije currently leads the Bobcats in scoring averaging 10.3 points per game. She is second on the squad hauling down 5.5 rebounds, as well. On the season, Freije has been in double-digit scoring on two occasions, including a season-high 13 points in MSU's win over Carroll College.
BARDS OF THE BLOCK: Seniors Madeline Smith and Blaire Braxton have manned the blocks for the Bobcats the past three seasons. The duo has swapped starting time at the five spot and each averaged around 20 minutes per contest. The duo will finish their eligibility this season and will go down as one of the best tandems to ever guard the glass in Worthington Arena. Blythe Hommes/Julie Brown combined for a program record 1,248 rebounds when they finished their careers in 1997. Other top performers include Alaina Bauer/Sandy Neiss, 1,196, 1991; Braxton/Smith, 1,103, 2020; and Kelly Martin/Serena Merrill, 1,034, 2001.
TORI, TORI, TORI: Tori Martell has connected on nine 3-pointers to pace MSU in the early going. She is averaging 10 points per game coming off the bench and is shooting 65.2% from the field and 56.3% from long distance. Last winter, Martell saw action in 29 games, including 18 starts and averaged 7.2 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game. She registered a season-best five triples in Montana State's win at Northern Colorado and ended the game with a career-high 19 points converting six-of-11 from the field. In all, she notched eight games in double-figure scoring.
FRESH START: True-freshman Darian White has got off to a fast start in the Blue and Gold. The Boise, Idaho product has started all four games and is second on the team averaging 10 points game. White is also first in assists (11) and fourth in rebounding (4.5). On the season, she has been in double-figure scoring, twice, including a season-high 15 points against UC Davis. Last winter, White was the Idaho Gatorade Player of the Year.
ALL JACKED UP: True-freshman Maddison Jackson is averaging 18.3 minutes of action over the first four games. The Parma, Idaho native is averaging 6.0 points and 4.3 rebounds per game. Jackson has recorded a season-high eight points on two occasions, against UC Davis and MSU Northern. She also leads the team in steals with eight, including three thefts against Carroll College. An outstanding athlete, Jackson was an Idaho state champion in the 100 and 330-meter hurdles, the high and as a member of the 4X400-meter relay team.
I'LL HAVE A KOLA, PLEASE: True-freshman Kola Bad Bear is off to a solid start for the Bobcats averaging 3.0 points and 4.3 rebounds per game over the first four outings. Bad Bear hauled down a season-high nine rebounds in MSU's win over MSU Northern. The Billings Senior grad recorded a season-best 6 points against the Skylights, as well.
NO PLACE LIKE HOME: The Bobcats held the nation's second longest home court win streak (31) before it was snapped by Portland State on Jan. 11, 2018. Since losing to San Diego on Nov. 11, 2015, MSU has won 45 of 53 games in The Brick. The Bobcats average 3,151 fans. The Cats had a season-high 6,596 in attendance for its annual Bobcat School Day Nov. 11, 2019.
WHEN: Saturday, November 23, 2019 @ 1 p.m. (MT)
WHERE: Minneapolis, MN - Williams Arena (14,625)
RECORDS: MSU: 3-1, 0-0 BSC, Minnesota 3-1, 0-0 Big 10
SERIES: First Meeting
LAST MTG: First Meeting
RADIO: KZMY 103.5 FM, Mark Martello Play-by-Play
LIVE VIDEO: Live video streaming of Saturday's game by subscription at btnplus.com
NEXT UP: Montana State will continue its opening road trip with a stop at the University of Minnesota, Saturday, Nov. 23 at 1 p.m. (MT) in historic Williams Arena, aka The Barn. The Bobcats are coming off a 60-50 setback at South Dakota State in Brookings on Thursday night.
SERIES NOTE: This will be the first ever meeting between Montana State and Minnesota.
THE GOLDEN GOPHERS: Minnesota is 3-1 on the season after defeating No. 19 Arizona State 80-66 on Nov. 17 in Williams Arena. The Gophers will be playing its fifth contest of a six-game homestand to begin its 2019-20 campaign. Minnesota is under the direction of second-year head coach Lindsay Whalen. A legend in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, Whalen guided UM to a 21-11 overall mark and a 9-9 Big 10 ledger, last winter. Previously, Whalen starred for the Minnesota Lynx of the WNBA, where the squad won four WNBA titles. MSU head coach Tricia Binford, who also played in the WNBA for the Utah Starzz and Cleveland Rockers, never faced Whalen on the court.
HIGH FIVE: 1) Montana State faces six teams that posted 20-wins last year, along with two that advanced to the NCAA Sweet 16, three that finished ranked in the final USA Today/WBCA Coaches Top 25 poll and three that won their conference championship. 2) Oliana Squires, who garnered all-Big Sky Conference Third-Team accolades last winter, returns as Montana State's leading scorer at 11.4 points per game. In addition, she led the Big Sky in league games shooting 94 percent from the free throw line. 3) Tricia Binford, who enters her 15th season at the helm of the Bobcat program, will enjoy one of the biggest and most experienced senior classes in her tenure at MSU. Three-year starters Oliana Squires, Blaire Braxton and Madeline Smith will be joined by Martha Kuderer, who started in 27 games last winter after transferring from Seton Hall, and Fallyn Freije, who sat out last season under NCAA transfer rules. 4) Although she didn't play last season, Fallyn Freije is a familiar name in the Big Sky. The Edmore, N.D., played three seasons at North Dakota before transferring to MSU. Freije is a two-time all-Big Sky honorable mention selection and averaged 13.2 points and 7.7 rebounds per game as a junior. 5) Montana State, who went 16-15 overall and 11-9 in Big Sky play last winter, has not had a losing season since 2006-07.
THE STREAK: As a team, Montana State has recorded at least one three-pointer in the last 201 consecutive games. The last time the Bobcats were held without a three-pointer was Jan. 24, 2013 (0-9) at Weber State. MSU set a single-season record of 311 triples during the 2017-18 season.
OUT OF THE GATE: Montana State's 3-0 start was its best since opening the 2015-16 season with three straight wins- Seattle U, Nevada and Portland.
SIX DEGREES OF FALLYN FREIJE: Fallyn Freije is the only Bobcat to have faced Minnesota on the court. As a freshman, she recorded four points, two rebounds and an assist as the Golden Gophers defeated North Dakota 57-47 on Dec. 23, 2015.
WEATHERING THE STORM: Five current Bobcats played club ball for the Minnesota Fury, including Martha Kuderer, Tori Martell, Sidney Zieske, Gabby Mocchi and Kenzie Stumne. Last winter, senior Claire Lundberg also hailed from the Fury program, and 2019-20 signees Taylor Janssen and Sydney Stensgard are also part of the Fury AAU Club system.
HOLY MOLY, OLI: Oliana Squires, a 2019-20 preseason All-Big Sky Conference pick, is currently averaging 9.8 points per game after dropping in 10 points at South Dakota State on Thursday night. The senior tri-captain is second on the squad in assists (10) and three-point makes (6). Last winter, Squires earned All-Big Sky Conference Third-Team accolades after guiding the Bobcats averaging 11.4 points, 3.8 assists, 3.5 rebounds and a steal per game. Squires recorded twenty double-digit scoring games and went over the 20-point plateau on four occasions, including a career-high 23 points in MSU's win over Sacramento State. Squires' 92% free throw rate was tops on the squad and her 94% Big Sky only free throw percentage was best in the league.
MAD ABOUT YOU: Madeline Smith, who played in all 31 games, including 23 starts for the Bobcats last season, is currently averaging 6.3 points and 6.0 rebounds per game. The Snohomish, Wash., product posted MSU's first double-double of the season with 11 points and 10 rebounds in the Cats' victory over MSU Northern. After four games, Smith is shooting 55.6% from the field. Last winter, Smith averaged 8.8 points per game and was third in the Big Sky in field-goal percentage, shooting 53.7% from the floor. She had ten games in double-figure scoring and posted a career-high 27 points against Southern Utah. Smith also became the 25th member of MSU prestigious 500-rebound club, last winter. Her current total of 533 rebounds ranks 19th all-time.
MARTHA'S MOMENTS: Martha Kuderer has started in all four games and is averaging 9.5 points per game, while shooting 51.9% from the field. She has been in double-digits on two occasions, including a season-high 17 points in MSU's win over Carroll College. Last winter, the Eden Prairie, Minn., product averaged 10 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game. She finished ninth in the Big Sky connecting on 69-of-90 from the charity stripe and was among the top 30 scorers in the conference. Kuderer posted 11 games in double-figure scoring. She recorded a season-high 21 points against Texas State in preseason WNIT action. Her 44 steals were the best on the squad, and she tallied a season-best five steals against Omaha.
BOUNDING WITH BLAIRE: Blaire Braxton, who played in all 31 games, including seven starts for the Bobcats, last winter, is currently third on the team averaging 5.0 rebounds per game. In addition, Braxton is averaging 4.5 points per game. In MSU's win over Carroll College she pulled down a season-best nine rebounds. Last season, she finished first on the team hauling down 5.9 rebounds per game, which ranked 18th overall and in Big Sky action. Braxton ended the 2018-19 campaign averaging 7.0 points per outing and notched seven games in double-figure scoring, including a career-high 18 points against Idaho. She also recorded two double-digit rebounding games, including a season-high 13 boards in MSU's win at Eastern Washington. She saw remarkable improvement in field-goal percentage shooting a team-best 55.8% from the field. Braxton's 54% shooting acumen in Big Sky games was third best in the league. Braxton is currently 16th on MSU's all-time rebounding chart with 570 boards.
MVP, MVP, MVP: Despite not playing in a game for over a year and not ever wearing the Blue and Gold, Montana State senior Fallyn Freije was named preseason Big Sky Conference MVP. The Edmore, N.D. product played three seasons at North Dakota before transferring to Bozeman. Freije was a two-time All-Big Sky performer for the Fighting Hawks, where she averaged 13.2 points and 7.7 rebounds per game as a junior. She played in 90 games and started in 58 of her appearances at UND. Freije had recorded 838 points, is a 41.5% shooter from the field and has amassed 505 rebounds over the course of her collegiate career.
DEEP FREIJE: Senior Fallyn Freije currently leads the Bobcats in scoring averaging 10.3 points per game. She is second on the squad hauling down 5.5 rebounds, as well. On the season, Freije has been in double-digit scoring on two occasions, including a season-high 13 points in MSU's win over Carroll College.
BARDS OF THE BLOCK: Seniors Madeline Smith and Blaire Braxton have manned the blocks for the Bobcats the past three seasons. The duo has swapped starting time at the five spot and each averaged around 20 minutes per contest. The duo will finish their eligibility this season and will go down as one of the best tandems to ever guard the glass in Worthington Arena. Blythe Hommes/Julie Brown combined for a program record 1,248 rebounds when they finished their careers in 1997. Other top performers include Alaina Bauer/Sandy Neiss, 1,196, 1991; Braxton/Smith, 1,103, 2020; and Kelly Martin/Serena Merrill, 1,034, 2001.
TORI, TORI, TORI: Tori Martell has connected on nine 3-pointers to pace MSU in the early going. She is averaging 10 points per game coming off the bench and is shooting 65.2% from the field and 56.3% from long distance. Last winter, Martell saw action in 29 games, including 18 starts and averaged 7.2 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game. She registered a season-best five triples in Montana State's win at Northern Colorado and ended the game with a career-high 19 points converting six-of-11 from the field. In all, she notched eight games in double-figure scoring.
FRESH START: True-freshman Darian White has got off to a fast start in the Blue and Gold. The Boise, Idaho product has started all four games and is second on the team averaging 10 points game. White is also first in assists (11) and fourth in rebounding (4.5). On the season, she has been in double-figure scoring, twice, including a season-high 15 points against UC Davis. Last winter, White was the Idaho Gatorade Player of the Year.
ALL JACKED UP: True-freshman Maddison Jackson is averaging 18.3 minutes of action over the first four games. The Parma, Idaho native is averaging 6.0 points and 4.3 rebounds per game. Jackson has recorded a season-high eight points on two occasions, against UC Davis and MSU Northern. She also leads the team in steals with eight, including three thefts against Carroll College. An outstanding athlete, Jackson was an Idaho state champion in the 100 and 330-meter hurdles, the high and as a member of the 4X400-meter relay team.
I'LL HAVE A KOLA, PLEASE: True-freshman Kola Bad Bear is off to a solid start for the Bobcats averaging 3.0 points and 4.3 rebounds per game over the first four outings. Bad Bear hauled down a season-high nine rebounds in MSU's win over MSU Northern. The Billings Senior grad recorded a season-best 6 points against the Skylights, as well.
NO PLACE LIKE HOME: The Bobcats held the nation's second longest home court win streak (31) before it was snapped by Portland State on Jan. 11, 2018. Since losing to San Diego on Nov. 11, 2015, MSU has won 45 of 53 games in The Brick. The Bobcats average 3,151 fans. The Cats had a season-high 6,596 in attendance for its annual Bobcat School Day Nov. 11, 2019.
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