Thursday, January 23
BOZEMAN
7 p.m.
Montana State University
vs
Weber State
Montana State freshman Kola Bad Bear (10).
Bobcat Women Host Weber State on Thursday in Worthington Arena
1/22/2020 3:53:00 PM | Women's Basketball
After playing its last two games on the road, the Bobcat women’s basketball team returns to the warm confines of Worthington Arena for a pair of contests starting with Weber State on Thursday, Jan. 23 at 7 p.m.
WHO: Weber State at Montana State
WHEN: Thursday, January 23, 2020 @ 7 p.m. (MT)
WHERE: Bozeman, Mont. - Worthington Arena (6,772)
RECORDS: MSU: 10-6, 6-1, Weber State 3-13, 1-6
SERIES: Montana State leads 52-32
LAST MTG: Feb. 16, 2019 @Montana St. 72, Weber St. 59
RADIO: Live on KZMY 103.5 FM with Jason Alvine on the call; pregame begins 15-minutes prior to opening tip.
STATS: Live statistics can be accessed at bobcatstats.com; running play-by-play and boxscore are available
VIDEO: Montana State's game against Weber State available on Pluto TV (Channel 538) and at WatchBigSky.com
HOME SWEET HOME: After playing its last two games on the road, the Bobcat women's basketball team returns to the warm confines of Worthington Arena for a pair of contests starting with Weber State on Thursday, Jan. 23 at 7 p.m. MSU will conclude the weekend when it hosts Idaho State on Saturday, Jan. 25 at 2 p.m.
SERIES NOTE: Montana State holds 52-32 advantage in its all-time series with Weber State. MSU won both meetings last year winning in Ogden on Jan. 24 (66-59) in the Dee Events Center and in Bozeman (72-59) on Feb. 16. The Bobcats have won 23 of the last 24 contests with the Wildcats. The lone WSU victory during MSU's run was March 2, 2018 (85-69) in Ogden.
CAT OF THE WEEK: Darian White had her most complete game as a Bobcat in MSU's double overtime win at Eastern Washington. White finished with a career-high 23 points, shooting 53.3% from the field connecting on eight-of-15 attempts. In addition, she went a perfect six-of-six at the line. White filled out the stat sheet adding nine rebounds, seven assists and five steals.
DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS: MSU has done an outstanding job on the defensive end of the court this season. The Cats lead the Big Sky in rebound margin at +6.7 and rebounding at 42.6 per game. MSU is ranked second in field-goal defense (36.4%), scoring defense (62.1 ppg), rebounding defense (28.7 rpg), total rebounds (42.6 rpg) and steals (10.5). Montana State boasts five players averaging 4.1 rpg or better paced by Fallyn Freije (7.7), Madeline Smith (6.0), Darian White (4.9), Blaire Braxton (4.3) and Martha Kuderer (4.1).
OFFENSE HELPS, TOO: Montana State is also one of the top offensive squads in the Big Sky Conference. The Bobcats lead the league in scoring at 81.3 points per game, scoring margin at +16.9, field-goal percentage at 44.8%, field goals made at 209 and offensive boards at 15.7 per contest. Individually, three players are ranked in the top 13 in the league in scoring led by Fallyn Freije (10th, 13.9 ppg), Darian White (12th, 13.1 ppg) and Martha Kuderer (13th, 13.1).
TOUGH SCHEDULE: MSU has faced three teams that have been ranked in the AP Top 25. The Cats have faced six teams that posted 20-wins last year, along with two that advanced to the NCAA Sweet 16, three that finished in the final USA Today/WBCA Coaches Top 25 poll and three that won their conference championship.
THE STREAK: Until its games against then No. 18-ranked Gonzaga on Dec. 5, MSU had recorded at least one three-pointer in 203 consecutive games. MSU saw that streak come to an end against the Bulldogs as Gonzaga limited the Bobcats to 0-13 from beyond the arc. The last time the Bobcats were held without a triple was Jan. 24, 2013 (0-9) at Weber State. The Bobcats current streak sits at nine 3-pointers.
MORE ON WEBER STATE: Weber State had a slow first quarter that dragged to be a 76-57 loss to Portland State, Monday evening. The Wildcats are now 3-13 overall and 1-6 in Big Sky play. Portland State jumped out to an early 19-8 lead over the Wildcats in the first quarter. The Vikings held a 40-25 lead at halftime. To start the third quarter, WSU held PSU scoreless for 2-minutes. Weber State could never gain momentum to make any difference in the score deficit. Kayla Watkins led the Wildcats with a season high of 21 points. Jadyn Matthews pulled down a new career high of rebounds pulling down 12. Weber State shot 36% from the field and 55% from the line.
BOBCATS VS. TOP 25: Montana State is 3-24 all-time against teams ranked in the AP Top 25 or USA Today/WBCA Coaches polls, following its 78-67 loss to No. 11 Texas A&M on Dec. 21 in Puerto Rico. 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 top 25 school came at #21 Boise State (69-68) on Jan. 28. 1994. The highest ranked team Montana State has played was #2 Baylor on Nov. 13, 2010- a 93-56 loss in Waco.
HOLY MOLY, OLI: Oliana Squires, a 2019-20 preseason All-Big Sky pick, is currently averaging 11.7 points per game, second highest on the squad. She became the 24th member of MSU's 1000-point club last Saturday after posting 11 points in MSU's win over Southern Utah. Her career 1,020 points ranks 22nd all-time. Squires notched a season-high 17 points at Seattle U on Nov. 30. She's been in double-digit scoring in 12 of 14 games. Squires dished out a season-best seven assists at Sacramento State on Dec. 28 and had a season-best four steals against Wichita State in Puerto Rico. The senior tri-captain has posted 24 three-pointers and 43 assists this season. Last winter, Squires earned All-Big Sky Third-Team accolades after guiding the Bobcats averaging 11.4 points, 3.8 assists, 3.5 rebounds and a steal per game.
MAD ABOUT YOU: Madeline Smith, who has started all 16 games for the Bobcats, is currently averaging 8.5 points and 6.0 rebounds per game. Smith posted her third double-double of the year leading MSU to a double overtime win at Easter Washington with 14 points and 13 rebounds. 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 on Nov. 17. After 16 games, Smith is shooting 55.4% from the field, which leads the team. Last winter, Smith 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 605 rebounds ranks 15th all-time.
MARTHA'S MOMENTS: Martha Kuderer has started in all 16 games and is averaging 9.8 points and 4.1 rebounds, while shooting 47.4%. She has been in double-digits on six occasions, including a career-high 23 points to lead MSU to a victory over Sacramento State Dec. 28. The Eden Prairie, Minn., product has been on fire lately. In Big Sky Conference games, Kuderer is averaging a team-high 13.1 points per game, while shooting 49.2% from the field. In addition, she is hitting at a 50% percent clip from beyond the arc and has connected on nine-of-13 three-pointers since Jan. 2 vs. UNC.
BOUNDING WITH BLAIRE: Blaire Braxton, who played in all 31 games, including seven starts for the Bobcats, last winter, is currently averaging 3.6 points and 4.3 rebounds per game. Braxton posted a season-high nine points in MSU's loss to No. 11 Texas A&M in Puerto Rico. For the game, she connected on 4-7 from the field. Last winter, Braxton averaged 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 14th on MSU's all-time rebounding chart with 618 boards.
PRESEASON MVP: Despite not playing in a game for over a year and not ever wearing the Blue and Gold, 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 1,041 points and has amassed 625 rebounds over the course of her collegiate career.
DEEP FREIJE: Senior Fallyn Freije is currently averaging a team-best 12.7 points per game. She is first on the squad pulling down 7.7 rebounds, as well. On the season, Freije has been in double-digit scoring on 12 occasions, including matching a season-high 20 points twice, the last in MSU's win over Southern Utah Jan. 4. Freije posted her third double-double of the season with 12 pts/12 rebs. vs. Eastern Washington last Saturday.
BARDS OF THE BLOCK: Madeline Smith and Blaire Braxton have manned the blocks for the Bobcats the past four seasons. The duo 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 Braxton/Smith, 1,223, 2020; Alaina Bauer/Sandy Neiss, 1,196, 1991; and Kelly Martin/Serena Merrill, 1,034, 2001.
TORI, TORI, TORI: Tori Martell has connected on 26 3-pointers this season. She is averaging 7.5 points per game and is shooting 46.2% from the field and 38.8% from long distance. Martell, who has filled in for Oliana Squires the past two games, notched a season-high 17 points in MSU's double overtime win at Eastern Washington connecting on five-of-10 from the field, including four 3-pointers. The Somerset, Wis., product pulled down a season-best six rebounds at Portland State on Jan. 11 in the Rose City.
FRESH START: True-freshman Darian White is off to a strong start in the Blue and Gold. The Boise, Idaho product has started all 16 games and is third on the team averaging 11.6 points game. She has been in double-figure scoring 12 times. White notched a season-high 23 points in MSU's double overtime win at Eastern Washington. White connected on eight-of-15 from the field and went 6-of-6 at the line. In addition, she pulled down nine rebounds, dished out seven assists and had five steals. In her last four games, White has averaged 14.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 3.0 steals per game. Last winter, she was the Idaho Gatorade Player of the Year.
ALL JACKED UP: Madison Jackson has averaged 16.5 minutes over 16 games. The Parma, Idaho native is averaging 6.1 points and 2.9 rebounds per game. She recorded a season-high 15 points in Montana State's win at Eastern Washington. Jackson's points all came from beyond the arc as she connected on 5-of-8 from long distance. 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.
I'LL HAVE A KOLA, PLEASE: True-freshman Kola Bad Bear is averaging 2.6 points and 2.7 rebounds per game over the first 16 outings. The Billings Senior grad recorded a season-best eight points at Sacramento State on December 28, hitting four-of-six from the field. Bad Bear hauled down nine rebounds in MSU's win over MSU Northern. For the season, Bad Bear is averaging 11.4 minutes per game.
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 47 of 57 games in The Brick. The Bobcats average 3,073 fans. The Cats had a season-high 6,596 in attendance for its annual Bobcat School Day Nov. 11, 2019.
WHEN: Thursday, January 23, 2020 @ 7 p.m. (MT)
WHERE: Bozeman, Mont. - Worthington Arena (6,772)
RECORDS: MSU: 10-6, 6-1, Weber State 3-13, 1-6
SERIES: Montana State leads 52-32
LAST MTG: Feb. 16, 2019 @Montana St. 72, Weber St. 59
RADIO: Live on KZMY 103.5 FM with Jason Alvine on the call; pregame begins 15-minutes prior to opening tip.
STATS: Live statistics can be accessed at bobcatstats.com; running play-by-play and boxscore are available
VIDEO: Montana State's game against Weber State available on Pluto TV (Channel 538) and at WatchBigSky.com
HOME SWEET HOME: After playing its last two games on the road, the Bobcat women's basketball team returns to the warm confines of Worthington Arena for a pair of contests starting with Weber State on Thursday, Jan. 23 at 7 p.m. MSU will conclude the weekend when it hosts Idaho State on Saturday, Jan. 25 at 2 p.m.
SERIES NOTE: Montana State holds 52-32 advantage in its all-time series with Weber State. MSU won both meetings last year winning in Ogden on Jan. 24 (66-59) in the Dee Events Center and in Bozeman (72-59) on Feb. 16. The Bobcats have won 23 of the last 24 contests with the Wildcats. The lone WSU victory during MSU's run was March 2, 2018 (85-69) in Ogden.
CAT OF THE WEEK: Darian White had her most complete game as a Bobcat in MSU's double overtime win at Eastern Washington. White finished with a career-high 23 points, shooting 53.3% from the field connecting on eight-of-15 attempts. In addition, she went a perfect six-of-six at the line. White filled out the stat sheet adding nine rebounds, seven assists and five steals.
DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS: MSU has done an outstanding job on the defensive end of the court this season. The Cats lead the Big Sky in rebound margin at +6.7 and rebounding at 42.6 per game. MSU is ranked second in field-goal defense (36.4%), scoring defense (62.1 ppg), rebounding defense (28.7 rpg), total rebounds (42.6 rpg) and steals (10.5). Montana State boasts five players averaging 4.1 rpg or better paced by Fallyn Freije (7.7), Madeline Smith (6.0), Darian White (4.9), Blaire Braxton (4.3) and Martha Kuderer (4.1).
OFFENSE HELPS, TOO: Montana State is also one of the top offensive squads in the Big Sky Conference. The Bobcats lead the league in scoring at 81.3 points per game, scoring margin at +16.9, field-goal percentage at 44.8%, field goals made at 209 and offensive boards at 15.7 per contest. Individually, three players are ranked in the top 13 in the league in scoring led by Fallyn Freije (10th, 13.9 ppg), Darian White (12th, 13.1 ppg) and Martha Kuderer (13th, 13.1).
TOUGH SCHEDULE: MSU has faced three teams that have been ranked in the AP Top 25. The Cats have faced six teams that posted 20-wins last year, along with two that advanced to the NCAA Sweet 16, three that finished in the final USA Today/WBCA Coaches Top 25 poll and three that won their conference championship.
THE STREAK: Until its games against then No. 18-ranked Gonzaga on Dec. 5, MSU had recorded at least one three-pointer in 203 consecutive games. MSU saw that streak come to an end against the Bulldogs as Gonzaga limited the Bobcats to 0-13 from beyond the arc. The last time the Bobcats were held without a triple was Jan. 24, 2013 (0-9) at Weber State. The Bobcats current streak sits at nine 3-pointers.
MORE ON WEBER STATE: Weber State had a slow first quarter that dragged to be a 76-57 loss to Portland State, Monday evening. The Wildcats are now 3-13 overall and 1-6 in Big Sky play. Portland State jumped out to an early 19-8 lead over the Wildcats in the first quarter. The Vikings held a 40-25 lead at halftime. To start the third quarter, WSU held PSU scoreless for 2-minutes. Weber State could never gain momentum to make any difference in the score deficit. Kayla Watkins led the Wildcats with a season high of 21 points. Jadyn Matthews pulled down a new career high of rebounds pulling down 12. Weber State shot 36% from the field and 55% from the line.
BOBCATS VS. TOP 25: Montana State is 3-24 all-time against teams ranked in the AP Top 25 or USA Today/WBCA Coaches polls, following its 78-67 loss to No. 11 Texas A&M on Dec. 21 in Puerto Rico. 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 top 25 school came at #21 Boise State (69-68) on Jan. 28. 1994. The highest ranked team Montana State has played was #2 Baylor on Nov. 13, 2010- a 93-56 loss in Waco.
HOLY MOLY, OLI: Oliana Squires, a 2019-20 preseason All-Big Sky pick, is currently averaging 11.7 points per game, second highest on the squad. She became the 24th member of MSU's 1000-point club last Saturday after posting 11 points in MSU's win over Southern Utah. Her career 1,020 points ranks 22nd all-time. Squires notched a season-high 17 points at Seattle U on Nov. 30. She's been in double-digit scoring in 12 of 14 games. Squires dished out a season-best seven assists at Sacramento State on Dec. 28 and had a season-best four steals against Wichita State in Puerto Rico. The senior tri-captain has posted 24 three-pointers and 43 assists this season. Last winter, Squires earned All-Big Sky Third-Team accolades after guiding the Bobcats averaging 11.4 points, 3.8 assists, 3.5 rebounds and a steal per game.
MAD ABOUT YOU: Madeline Smith, who has started all 16 games for the Bobcats, is currently averaging 8.5 points and 6.0 rebounds per game. Smith posted her third double-double of the year leading MSU to a double overtime win at Easter Washington with 14 points and 13 rebounds. 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 on Nov. 17. After 16 games, Smith is shooting 55.4% from the field, which leads the team. Last winter, Smith 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 605 rebounds ranks 15th all-time.
MARTHA'S MOMENTS: Martha Kuderer has started in all 16 games and is averaging 9.8 points and 4.1 rebounds, while shooting 47.4%. She has been in double-digits on six occasions, including a career-high 23 points to lead MSU to a victory over Sacramento State Dec. 28. The Eden Prairie, Minn., product has been on fire lately. In Big Sky Conference games, Kuderer is averaging a team-high 13.1 points per game, while shooting 49.2% from the field. In addition, she is hitting at a 50% percent clip from beyond the arc and has connected on nine-of-13 three-pointers since Jan. 2 vs. UNC.
BOUNDING WITH BLAIRE: Blaire Braxton, who played in all 31 games, including seven starts for the Bobcats, last winter, is currently averaging 3.6 points and 4.3 rebounds per game. Braxton posted a season-high nine points in MSU's loss to No. 11 Texas A&M in Puerto Rico. For the game, she connected on 4-7 from the field. Last winter, Braxton averaged 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 14th on MSU's all-time rebounding chart with 618 boards.
PRESEASON MVP: Despite not playing in a game for over a year and not ever wearing the Blue and Gold, 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 1,041 points and has amassed 625 rebounds over the course of her collegiate career.
DEEP FREIJE: Senior Fallyn Freije is currently averaging a team-best 12.7 points per game. She is first on the squad pulling down 7.7 rebounds, as well. On the season, Freije has been in double-digit scoring on 12 occasions, including matching a season-high 20 points twice, the last in MSU's win over Southern Utah Jan. 4. Freije posted her third double-double of the season with 12 pts/12 rebs. vs. Eastern Washington last Saturday.
BARDS OF THE BLOCK: Madeline Smith and Blaire Braxton have manned the blocks for the Bobcats the past four seasons. The duo 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 Braxton/Smith, 1,223, 2020; Alaina Bauer/Sandy Neiss, 1,196, 1991; and Kelly Martin/Serena Merrill, 1,034, 2001.
TORI, TORI, TORI: Tori Martell has connected on 26 3-pointers this season. She is averaging 7.5 points per game and is shooting 46.2% from the field and 38.8% from long distance. Martell, who has filled in for Oliana Squires the past two games, notched a season-high 17 points in MSU's double overtime win at Eastern Washington connecting on five-of-10 from the field, including four 3-pointers. The Somerset, Wis., product pulled down a season-best six rebounds at Portland State on Jan. 11 in the Rose City.
FRESH START: True-freshman Darian White is off to a strong start in the Blue and Gold. The Boise, Idaho product has started all 16 games and is third on the team averaging 11.6 points game. She has been in double-figure scoring 12 times. White notched a season-high 23 points in MSU's double overtime win at Eastern Washington. White connected on eight-of-15 from the field and went 6-of-6 at the line. In addition, she pulled down nine rebounds, dished out seven assists and had five steals. In her last four games, White has averaged 14.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 3.0 steals per game. Last winter, she was the Idaho Gatorade Player of the Year.
ALL JACKED UP: Madison Jackson has averaged 16.5 minutes over 16 games. The Parma, Idaho native is averaging 6.1 points and 2.9 rebounds per game. She recorded a season-high 15 points in Montana State's win at Eastern Washington. Jackson's points all came from beyond the arc as she connected on 5-of-8 from long distance. 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.
I'LL HAVE A KOLA, PLEASE: True-freshman Kola Bad Bear is averaging 2.6 points and 2.7 rebounds per game over the first 16 outings. The Billings Senior grad recorded a season-best eight points at Sacramento State on December 28, hitting four-of-six from the field. Bad Bear hauled down nine rebounds in MSU's win over MSU Northern. For the season, Bad Bear is averaging 11.4 minutes per game.
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 47 of 57 games in The Brick. The Bobcats average 3,073 fans. The Cats had a season-high 6,596 in attendance for its annual Bobcat School Day Nov. 11, 2019.
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