Thursday, December 5
BOZEMAN
6 p.m.
Montana State University
vs
(18/17) Gonzaga
Photo by: Kelly Gorham
Bobcat Women Host No. 18-Ranked Gonzaga, Thursday Night in Worthington Arena
12/4/2019 3:54:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Montana State will host No. 18/17 Gonzaga on Thursday, Dec. 5 at 6 p.m. in Worthington Arena.
WHO: (18/17) Gonzaga at Montana State
WHEN: Thursday, December 6, 2019 @ 6 p.m. (MT)
WHERE: Bozeman, MT - Worthington Arena (6,772)
RECORDS: MSU: 4-2 overall, Gonzaga 6-1 overall
SERIES: Montana State 11-9
LAST MTG: Dec. 6, 2015 @Gonzaga 65, Montana State 52
RADIO: Live on KMMS 1450 AM with Jason Alvine; Pregame begins 15-minutes prior to opening tip.
VIDEO: Live streaming of Thursday's game: Pluto TV 538; WatchBigSky.com; or Watch SWX App.
STATS: Live statistics can be accessed at bobcatstats.com.
NEXT UP: Montana State will host No. 18/17 Gonzaga on Thursday, Dec. 5 at 6 p.m. in Worthington Arena. It's the first game of a doubleheader with the MSU men, who will host South Dakota State at approximately 8 p.m.
ON THE AIR: Fans across the state of Montana can watch Thursday's game on SWX Montana, which has affiliates in Missoula/Kalispell (KTMF, 23.3), Billings (KULR, 8.2), Butte/Bozeman (KWYB, 18.3), Great Falls (KFBB, 5.3) and Helena (KHBB, 21.3). Charter cable subscribers can watch on channel 199 for all markets outside of Billings, who can find SWX on Billings Charter channel 503. Additionally, the matches can be streamed statewide on the SWX app. Ron Davis will handle play-by-play duties, while Krista Redpath will be color.
SERIES NOTE: Montana State holds a slim 11-9 advantage in its all-time series with Gonzaga going back to Feb. 13, 1982. Recently, the Zags have won the last six meetings, including the last encounter, 65-52, on Dec. 6, 2015 in Spokane. MSU's last victory in the series - a 68-47 decision, came in Bozeman on Dec. 22, 2000.
MORE ON THE ZAGS: Gonzaga enters Thursday night's game ranked No. 18 in the AP Top 25 and No. 17 in the USA Today/WBCA Coaches poll. Last weekend, the Zags defeated Dayton (76-65), Middle Tennessee (62-50) and Purdue (63-50) at the Gulf Coast Showcase in Estero, Fla. Gonzaga's lone setback of the season was a 76-70 overtime loss to top-ranked Stanford in Maples Pavilion. Five Gonzaga players average in double-digit scoring led by Jenn Wirth and Jill Townsend at 12.1 and 11.6 points, respectively. Wirth, a 6-3 junior forward, was named West Coast Conference Player of the Week after averaging 13.2 points, while shooting 62% from the field en route to being named Gulf Coast Showcase MVP.
BOBCATS VS. TOP 25: Montana State is 3-22 all-time against teams ranked in the AP Top 25 or the USA Today/WBCA Coaches polls. MSU's victories have come over Montana, twice, when the Lady Griz were ranked. The Bobcats defeated #17 Montana (58-52 in Bozeman) on March 4, 1994 as well as #16 Montana (58-56 in Bozeman) on March 5, 1988. MSU's other victory of a AP Top 25 school came at #21 Boise State (69-68) on Jan. 28. 1994. The highest ranked team Montana State have ever played was #2 Baylor on Nov. 13, 2010, which resulted in a 93-56 loss in Waco. MSU has met Gonzaga once while the Zags were listed at No. 24. The Bulldogs won the contest 89-60 on Nov. 21, 2014.
HOLY MOLY, OLI: Oliana Squires, a 2019-20 preseason All-Big Sky Conference pick, is currently averaging a team-best 11.7 points per game after dropping in 17 points at Seattle U Saturday night. The senior tri-captain is first on the squad in assists (17) and three-point makes (12). 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' 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 9.0 points and 6.3rebounds per game, after leading MSU with 18 points and 9 rebounds in the squad's win at Seattle U, last Saturday. 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 six games, Smith is shooting 57.9% 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. Her current total of 547 rebounds ranks 19th all-time.
MARTHA'S MOMENTS: Martha Kuderer has started in all six games and is averaging 8.3 points per game, while shooting 50% 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. 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.
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 3.0 points per game. 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 580 boards.
PRESEASON 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. Freije has recorded 900 point and has amassed 546 rebounds over the course of her collegiate career.
DEEP FREIJE: Senior Fallyn Freije currently third on the team averaging 10.3 points per game. She is first on the squad hauling down 7.0 rebounds, as well. On the season, Freije has been in double-digit scoring on four 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 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, 1,127, 2020; and Kelly Martin/Serena Merrill, 1,034, 2001.
TORI, TORI, TORI: Tori Martell has connected on ten 3-pointers in the early season. She is averaging 8.0 points per game coming off the bench and is shooting 54.5% from the field and 45.5% 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.
FRESH START: True-freshman Darian White is off to a fast start in the Blue and Gold. The Boise, Idaho product has started all six games and is second on the team averaging 10.5 points game. White is also second in assists (15) and fifth in rebounding (4.2). On the season, she has been in double-figure scoring four times, including a season-high 15 points against UC Davis. Last winter, White was the Idaho Gatorade Player of the Year. White had 11 points and four rebounds in MSU's win at Seattle U.
ALL JACKED UP: True-freshman Maddison Jackson is averaging 16.8 minutes of action over the first four games. The Parma, Idaho native is averaging 4.7 points and 3.8 rebounds per game. Jackson recorded a season-high eight points on two occasions, against UC Davis and MSU Northern. She is second on the team with nine steals. An outstanding athlete, Jackson was an Idaho state champion in the 100 and 330-meter hurdles, the high jump 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 2.8 points and 3.2 rebounds per game over the first six 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: Thursday, December 6, 2019 @ 6 p.m. (MT)
WHERE: Bozeman, MT - Worthington Arena (6,772)
RECORDS: MSU: 4-2 overall, Gonzaga 6-1 overall
SERIES: Montana State 11-9
LAST MTG: Dec. 6, 2015 @Gonzaga 65, Montana State 52
RADIO: Live on KMMS 1450 AM with Jason Alvine; Pregame begins 15-minutes prior to opening tip.
VIDEO: Live streaming of Thursday's game: Pluto TV 538; WatchBigSky.com; or Watch SWX App.
STATS: Live statistics can be accessed at bobcatstats.com.
NEXT UP: Montana State will host No. 18/17 Gonzaga on Thursday, Dec. 5 at 6 p.m. in Worthington Arena. It's the first game of a doubleheader with the MSU men, who will host South Dakota State at approximately 8 p.m.
ON THE AIR: Fans across the state of Montana can watch Thursday's game on SWX Montana, which has affiliates in Missoula/Kalispell (KTMF, 23.3), Billings (KULR, 8.2), Butte/Bozeman (KWYB, 18.3), Great Falls (KFBB, 5.3) and Helena (KHBB, 21.3). Charter cable subscribers can watch on channel 199 for all markets outside of Billings, who can find SWX on Billings Charter channel 503. Additionally, the matches can be streamed statewide on the SWX app. Ron Davis will handle play-by-play duties, while Krista Redpath will be color.
SERIES NOTE: Montana State holds a slim 11-9 advantage in its all-time series with Gonzaga going back to Feb. 13, 1982. Recently, the Zags have won the last six meetings, including the last encounter, 65-52, on Dec. 6, 2015 in Spokane. MSU's last victory in the series - a 68-47 decision, came in Bozeman on Dec. 22, 2000.
MORE ON THE ZAGS: Gonzaga enters Thursday night's game ranked No. 18 in the AP Top 25 and No. 17 in the USA Today/WBCA Coaches poll. Last weekend, the Zags defeated Dayton (76-65), Middle Tennessee (62-50) and Purdue (63-50) at the Gulf Coast Showcase in Estero, Fla. Gonzaga's lone setback of the season was a 76-70 overtime loss to top-ranked Stanford in Maples Pavilion. Five Gonzaga players average in double-digit scoring led by Jenn Wirth and Jill Townsend at 12.1 and 11.6 points, respectively. Wirth, a 6-3 junior forward, was named West Coast Conference Player of the Week after averaging 13.2 points, while shooting 62% from the field en route to being named Gulf Coast Showcase MVP.
BOBCATS VS. TOP 25: Montana State is 3-22 all-time against teams ranked in the AP Top 25 or the USA Today/WBCA Coaches polls. MSU's victories have come over Montana, twice, when the Lady Griz were ranked. The Bobcats defeated #17 Montana (58-52 in Bozeman) on March 4, 1994 as well as #16 Montana (58-56 in Bozeman) on March 5, 1988. MSU's other victory of a AP Top 25 school came at #21 Boise State (69-68) on Jan. 28. 1994. The highest ranked team Montana State have ever played was #2 Baylor on Nov. 13, 2010, which resulted in a 93-56 loss in Waco. MSU has met Gonzaga once while the Zags were listed at No. 24. The Bulldogs won the contest 89-60 on Nov. 21, 2014.
HOLY MOLY, OLI: Oliana Squires, a 2019-20 preseason All-Big Sky Conference pick, is currently averaging a team-best 11.7 points per game after dropping in 17 points at Seattle U Saturday night. The senior tri-captain is first on the squad in assists (17) and three-point makes (12). 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' 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 9.0 points and 6.3rebounds per game, after leading MSU with 18 points and 9 rebounds in the squad's win at Seattle U, last Saturday. 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 six games, Smith is shooting 57.9% 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. Her current total of 547 rebounds ranks 19th all-time.
MARTHA'S MOMENTS: Martha Kuderer has started in all six games and is averaging 8.3 points per game, while shooting 50% 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. 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.
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 3.0 points per game. 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 580 boards.
PRESEASON 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. Freije has recorded 900 point and has amassed 546 rebounds over the course of her collegiate career.
DEEP FREIJE: Senior Fallyn Freije currently third on the team averaging 10.3 points per game. She is first on the squad hauling down 7.0 rebounds, as well. On the season, Freije has been in double-digit scoring on four 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 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, 1,127, 2020; and Kelly Martin/Serena Merrill, 1,034, 2001.
TORI, TORI, TORI: Tori Martell has connected on ten 3-pointers in the early season. She is averaging 8.0 points per game coming off the bench and is shooting 54.5% from the field and 45.5% 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.
FRESH START: True-freshman Darian White is off to a fast start in the Blue and Gold. The Boise, Idaho product has started all six games and is second on the team averaging 10.5 points game. White is also second in assists (15) and fifth in rebounding (4.2). On the season, she has been in double-figure scoring four times, including a season-high 15 points against UC Davis. Last winter, White was the Idaho Gatorade Player of the Year. White had 11 points and four rebounds in MSU's win at Seattle U.
ALL JACKED UP: True-freshman Maddison Jackson is averaging 16.8 minutes of action over the first four games. The Parma, Idaho native is averaging 4.7 points and 3.8 rebounds per game. Jackson recorded a season-high eight points on two occasions, against UC Davis and MSU Northern. She is second on the team with nine steals. An outstanding athlete, Jackson was an Idaho state champion in the 100 and 330-meter hurdles, the high jump 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 2.8 points and 3.2 rebounds per game over the first six 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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