Thursday, January 9
BOZEMAN
7 p.m.
Montana State University
vs
Idaho
Photo by: Andrew Pedersen
BOBCATS CONTINUE HOMESTAND WITH IDAHO, THURSDAY NIGHT
1/7/2020 4:37:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Montana State has put together four consecutive wins to open the 2020 Big Sky Conference season. The winning streak is the longest since the 2017-18 squad recorded a five-game stretch in Big Sky action. The Cats will look to match that streak when it hosts Idaho, Thursday, Jan. 9 at 7 p.m. in Worthington Arena.
WHO: Idaho at Montana State
WHEN: Thursday, January 9, 2020 @ 7 p.m. (MT)
WHERE: Bozeman, Mont. - Worthington Arena (6,772)
RECORDS: MSU: 8-5, 4-0, Idaho 7-5, 2-1
SERIES: Montana State leads 35-18
LAST MTG: Feb. 9, 2019 @ Idaho 90, MSU 65
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 Idaho available on Pluto TV (Channel 538) and at WatchBigSky.com
FOUR-IN-A-ROW: Montana State has put together four consecutive wins to open the 2020 Big Sky Conference season. The winning streak is the longest since the 2017-18 squad recorded a five-game stretch in Big Sky action. The Cats will look to match that streak when it hosts Idaho, Thursday, Jan. 9 at 7 p.m. in Worthington Arena. MSU will close the week at Portland State on Saturday, Jan. 11 at 3 p.m. (MT).
FREIJE ON FIRE: Fallyn Freije has been named the College Sports Madness Big Sky Conference Player of the Week after averaging 18.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.5 steals per game in leading the Bobcats to two convincing wins over Northern Colorado and Southern Utah last week.
SERIES NOTE: Montana State leads the all-time series with Idaho 35-18; however, the Vandals have won the last four meetings between the two rivals, including a sweep of the Bobcats last winter. MSU's last win over the Vandals came on Jan. 26, 2017 (66-61) in Moscow. MSU's last victory over Idaho in Worthington Arena came on Jan. 7, 2017 in an 80-64 decision.
DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS: Montana State has done an outstanding job on the defensive end of the court in the early season. The Bobcats lead the Big Sky Conference in rebound margin at +6.2 per contest and rebounding, 41.5 per game. MSU is ranked second in field-goal defense (35.8%), scoring defense (59 .8 ppg), rebounding defense (35.2) and steals (10.9). Montana State boasts four players averaging 4.2 rebound per game or better paced by Fallyn Freije (7.2 rpg) and Madeline Smith (5.7 rpg).
TOUGH SCHEDULE: Currently, MSU has faced three teams ranked in the AP Top 25 this season. The Cats face 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.
OFFENSIVE EXPLOSION: Montana State averaged a whopping 91 points per game last weekend against Northern Colorado and Southern Utah. Five Bobcat players averaged double-figures against the Bears and Thunderbirds led by Fallyn Freije (18.5), Martha Kuderer (18), Oliana Squires (11.5), Darian White (11.5) and Madison Jackson (10.5). For the two games, the Bobcats shot 54.8% from the field, 51.6% from long distance and 85.7% from the free throw line.
MORE ON IDAHO: Idaho suffered its first loss in Big Sky play, falling to Portland State 74-53 on the road. The Vandals fell behind to the Vikings early and were never able to take control of the game. Idaho led for only 11-seconds in the game. Gina Marxen led the Vandals in scoring with 18 points, while all five Portland State starters scored double-digits. Marxen, a 5-8 sophomore from Sammamish, Wash., leads the Vandals in scoring averaging 14 points per game. She is also UI's top outside threat, connecting on 40-110 (36.4%) from beyond the arc. Also averaging in double-digits are Beyonce Bea and Lizzy Klinker at 12.3 and 11 ppg.
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 11.6 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 1,007 points ranks 23rd all-time. Squires notched a season-high 17 points at Seattle U on Nov. 30. She's been in double-digit scoring in 11 of MSU's 13 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 is first on the squad in three-point makes (23) and assists (40). 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 played in all 31 games, including 23 starts for the Bobcats last season, is currently averaging 7.9 points and 5.7 rebounds, after posting her second double-double of the year with 13 points and 10 rebounds at Sacramento State on Dec. 28. 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 13 games, Smith is shooting 58.9% from the field, which leads the Big Sky Conference. 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 583 rebounds ranks 17th all-time.
MARTHA'S MOMENTS: Martha Kuderer has started in all 13 games and is averaging 9.9 points and 4.2 rebounds, while shooting 50%. She has been in double-digits on five 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 games against Northern Colorado and Southern Utah, she averaged 18 ppg, while shooting a whopping 88 percent from the field. Against Southern Utah, Kuderer was perfect from the field going seven-of-seven from the floor.
BOUNDING WITH BLAIRE: Blaire Braxton, who played in all 31 games, including seven starts for the Bobcats, last winter, is currently averaging 3.3 points and 3.9 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 601 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 1,010 points and has amassed 598 rebounds over the course of her collegiate career.
DEEP FREIJE: Senior Fallyn Freije is currently averaging a team-best 13.2 points per game. She is first on the squad pulling down 7.2 rebounds, as well. On the season, Freije has been in double-digit scoring on ten occasions, including matching a season-high 20 points in Montana State's win over Southern Utah, last Saturday. Freije also posted her second double-double of the season with 20 pts/10 rebs. vs. No. Arizona on Dec. 30.
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 Alaina Bauer/Sandy Neiss, 1,196, 1991; Braxton/Smith, 1,184, 2020; and Kelly Martin/Serena Merrill, 1,034, 2001.
TORI, TORI, TORI: Tori Martell has connected on 19 3-pointers in the early season. She is averaging 6.8 points per game coming off the bench and is shooting 45.6% from the field and 38.8% from long distance. Martell posted nine points against Sacramento State on Dec. 28, including two 3-pointers. Against Northern Colorado on Jan. 2, Martell dished out a career-high five assists. She notched a season-high 13 points in MSU's first two games of the season against UC Davis and Carroll College.
FRESH START: True-freshman Darian White is off to a strong start in the Blue and Gold. The Boise, Idaho product has started all 13 games and is third on the team averaging 10.9 points game. She has been in double-figure scoring ten times. White matched a season-high with 15 points at Northern Arizona on Dec. 30. She had an outstanding showing at the Coqui Classic in Puerto Rico averaging 11.5 points, 5.5 assists, 3.0 rebounds and 3.0 steals per game. Last week, against Northern Colorado and Southern Utah, she averaged 11.5 points and 5.0 rebounds per game, while shooting 47.1%. Last winter, she was the Idaho Gatorade Player of the Year.
ALL JACKED UP: Freshman Madison Jackson is averaging 15 minutes of action over the first 13 games. The Parma, Idaho native is averaging 5.4 points and 2.9 rebounds per game. She recorded a season-high 14 points against Northern Colorado on Thursday, going six-of-10 from the field and two-of-three 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 off to a solid start averaging 2.7 points and 2.7 rebounds per game over the first 13 outings. The Billings Senior grad recorded a season-best eight points at Sacramento State on Dec. 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 11.8 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 56 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 9, 2020 @ 7 p.m. (MT)
WHERE: Bozeman, Mont. - Worthington Arena (6,772)
RECORDS: MSU: 8-5, 4-0, Idaho 7-5, 2-1
SERIES: Montana State leads 35-18
LAST MTG: Feb. 9, 2019 @ Idaho 90, MSU 65
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 Idaho available on Pluto TV (Channel 538) and at WatchBigSky.com
FOUR-IN-A-ROW: Montana State has put together four consecutive wins to open the 2020 Big Sky Conference season. The winning streak is the longest since the 2017-18 squad recorded a five-game stretch in Big Sky action. The Cats will look to match that streak when it hosts Idaho, Thursday, Jan. 9 at 7 p.m. in Worthington Arena. MSU will close the week at Portland State on Saturday, Jan. 11 at 3 p.m. (MT).
FREIJE ON FIRE: Fallyn Freije has been named the College Sports Madness Big Sky Conference Player of the Week after averaging 18.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.5 steals per game in leading the Bobcats to two convincing wins over Northern Colorado and Southern Utah last week.
SERIES NOTE: Montana State leads the all-time series with Idaho 35-18; however, the Vandals have won the last four meetings between the two rivals, including a sweep of the Bobcats last winter. MSU's last win over the Vandals came on Jan. 26, 2017 (66-61) in Moscow. MSU's last victory over Idaho in Worthington Arena came on Jan. 7, 2017 in an 80-64 decision.
DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS: Montana State has done an outstanding job on the defensive end of the court in the early season. The Bobcats lead the Big Sky Conference in rebound margin at +6.2 per contest and rebounding, 41.5 per game. MSU is ranked second in field-goal defense (35.8%), scoring defense (59 .8 ppg), rebounding defense (35.2) and steals (10.9). Montana State boasts four players averaging 4.2 rebound per game or better paced by Fallyn Freije (7.2 rpg) and Madeline Smith (5.7 rpg).
TOUGH SCHEDULE: Currently, MSU has faced three teams ranked in the AP Top 25 this season. The Cats face 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.
OFFENSIVE EXPLOSION: Montana State averaged a whopping 91 points per game last weekend against Northern Colorado and Southern Utah. Five Bobcat players averaged double-figures against the Bears and Thunderbirds led by Fallyn Freije (18.5), Martha Kuderer (18), Oliana Squires (11.5), Darian White (11.5) and Madison Jackson (10.5). For the two games, the Bobcats shot 54.8% from the field, 51.6% from long distance and 85.7% from the free throw line.
MORE ON IDAHO: Idaho suffered its first loss in Big Sky play, falling to Portland State 74-53 on the road. The Vandals fell behind to the Vikings early and were never able to take control of the game. Idaho led for only 11-seconds in the game. Gina Marxen led the Vandals in scoring with 18 points, while all five Portland State starters scored double-digits. Marxen, a 5-8 sophomore from Sammamish, Wash., leads the Vandals in scoring averaging 14 points per game. She is also UI's top outside threat, connecting on 40-110 (36.4%) from beyond the arc. Also averaging in double-digits are Beyonce Bea and Lizzy Klinker at 12.3 and 11 ppg.
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 11.6 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 1,007 points ranks 23rd all-time. Squires notched a season-high 17 points at Seattle U on Nov. 30. She's been in double-digit scoring in 11 of MSU's 13 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 is first on the squad in three-point makes (23) and assists (40). 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 played in all 31 games, including 23 starts for the Bobcats last season, is currently averaging 7.9 points and 5.7 rebounds, after posting her second double-double of the year with 13 points and 10 rebounds at Sacramento State on Dec. 28. 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 13 games, Smith is shooting 58.9% from the field, which leads the Big Sky Conference. 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 583 rebounds ranks 17th all-time.
MARTHA'S MOMENTS: Martha Kuderer has started in all 13 games and is averaging 9.9 points and 4.2 rebounds, while shooting 50%. She has been in double-digits on five 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 games against Northern Colorado and Southern Utah, she averaged 18 ppg, while shooting a whopping 88 percent from the field. Against Southern Utah, Kuderer was perfect from the field going seven-of-seven from the floor.
BOUNDING WITH BLAIRE: Blaire Braxton, who played in all 31 games, including seven starts for the Bobcats, last winter, is currently averaging 3.3 points and 3.9 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 601 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 1,010 points and has amassed 598 rebounds over the course of her collegiate career.
DEEP FREIJE: Senior Fallyn Freije is currently averaging a team-best 13.2 points per game. She is first on the squad pulling down 7.2 rebounds, as well. On the season, Freije has been in double-digit scoring on ten occasions, including matching a season-high 20 points in Montana State's win over Southern Utah, last Saturday. Freije also posted her second double-double of the season with 20 pts/10 rebs. vs. No. Arizona on Dec. 30.
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 Alaina Bauer/Sandy Neiss, 1,196, 1991; Braxton/Smith, 1,184, 2020; and Kelly Martin/Serena Merrill, 1,034, 2001.
TORI, TORI, TORI: Tori Martell has connected on 19 3-pointers in the early season. She is averaging 6.8 points per game coming off the bench and is shooting 45.6% from the field and 38.8% from long distance. Martell posted nine points against Sacramento State on Dec. 28, including two 3-pointers. Against Northern Colorado on Jan. 2, Martell dished out a career-high five assists. She notched a season-high 13 points in MSU's first two games of the season against UC Davis and Carroll College.
FRESH START: True-freshman Darian White is off to a strong start in the Blue and Gold. The Boise, Idaho product has started all 13 games and is third on the team averaging 10.9 points game. She has been in double-figure scoring ten times. White matched a season-high with 15 points at Northern Arizona on Dec. 30. She had an outstanding showing at the Coqui Classic in Puerto Rico averaging 11.5 points, 5.5 assists, 3.0 rebounds and 3.0 steals per game. Last week, against Northern Colorado and Southern Utah, she averaged 11.5 points and 5.0 rebounds per game, while shooting 47.1%. Last winter, she was the Idaho Gatorade Player of the Year.
ALL JACKED UP: Freshman Madison Jackson is averaging 15 minutes of action over the first 13 games. The Parma, Idaho native is averaging 5.4 points and 2.9 rebounds per game. She recorded a season-high 14 points against Northern Colorado on Thursday, going six-of-10 from the field and two-of-three 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 off to a solid start averaging 2.7 points and 2.7 rebounds per game over the first 13 outings. The Billings Senior grad recorded a season-best eight points at Sacramento State on Dec. 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 11.8 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 56 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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