Thursday, December 31
Cedar City, UT
5 p.m.
Montana State University
at
Southern Utah
Photo by: Garrett Becker
Cats Open Big Sky Season at Southern Utah
12/29/2020 3:55:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Montana State opens its Big Sky Conference schedule at Southern Utah on New Year’s Eve at 5 p.m.
WHO: Montana State at Southern Utah
WHEN: Thursday, Dec. 31, 2020 @ 5 p.m. (MST)
WHERE: Cedar City, Utah - America First Center (5,300)
RECORDS: MSU: 2-3, 0-0; Southern Utah 3-2, 0-0
SERIES: Montana State leads 21-5; Streak: MSU W9
LAST MTG: March 4, 2020 - MSU 81 @ Southern Utah 65
RADIO: Live on My 103.5 FM (KZMY) with Mark Martello on the call; pregame begins 15-minutes prior to opening tip.
VIDEO: Montana State's game at Southern Utah can be streamed on Pluto TV Channel 1055.
BIG SKY OPENER: Montana State opens its Big Sky Conference schedule at Southern Utah on New Year's Eve at 5 p.m. Since the inception of women's basketball in the Big Sky during the 1988-89 season, the Bobcats are 18-14 in league openers, while Tricia Binford is 7-8 all-time. MSU has won its last five Big Sky openers, including an 85-48 win at Sacramento State. Montana State's last loss in a league opener came at North Dakota, Jan. 1, 2015 with an 82-74 setback to the Fighting Hawks.
WRAPPING THE NON-CONFERENCE: Playing a strong schedule against teams that are ranked in the CollegeInsider.com Mid-Major Top 25 poll - No. 2 South Dakota State, No. 8 BYU and (RV) Portland - the Bobcats notched a 2-3 overall mark. Its most impressive victory was an 80-67 decision over Portland on Dec. 17 in the Rose City.
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING: With her four-of-eight performance from beyond the three-point arc against South Dakota State on Dec. 21, senior Tori Martell finished the non-conference slate connecting on 18-of-35 from long distance. Her 3.60 three-pointers per game ranks 13th in the country, while her 51.4% percentage from downtown ranks 24th. Martell's 18 total triples is 37th best in the nation.
THE SCOUTING REPORT:
Southern Utah - The Thunderbirds will look to open its Big Sky Conference schedule when it hosts Montana State on Thursday night. Southern Utah's initial league opener slated for Dec. 3 & 5 in Missoula was canceled due to COVID-19. In all, the T-Birds have had four games canceled. On the year, Southern Utah is 3-2 overall, posting victories over William Jessup (74-46), Grand Canyon (84-83) and Dixie State (80-44). Their two setbacks came against Utah Valley (58-47) and BYU (84-74). Under the direction of Tracy Sanders, who is in her third season in Cedar City, the T-Birds are guided by senior redshirt Liz Graves. Graves, a 5-10 guard from Mapleton, Utah, played her first two seasons at BYU, playing in 42 games. She played her junior season at Weber State where she averaged 11 points and 5.7 rebounds per game, while leading the team in steals. This season, Graves is averaging 18.4 points and 8.4 rebounds per game. She poured in 34 points in SUU's loss to BYU. For the game, she connected on 11-17 from the field, including three 3-pointers, and a 9-9 outing at the line. Also helping the Thunderbirds this winter is Cherita Daugherty and Darri Frandsen, who average 11.8 points apiece. Frandsen also averages 8.4 rpg.
PRESEASON ACCOLADES: Montana State sophomore Darian White, who broke onto the women's basketball scene last winter, has been named to the preseason all-Big Sky Conference team voted on by BSC head coaches and media members. White, a product of Boise, Idaho, was the 2020 Big Sky Freshman of the Year, after helping the Bobcats to a 25-6 overall mark, a dominating 19-1 league ledger and a Big Sky title. In what was arguably one of the best inaugural campaigns in MSU history, White collected 394 points, 150 rebounds, 104 assists and 76 steals. She played and started in all 31 games, averaging 12.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 2.5 steals per game. White, who recorded 25 games in double-digit scoring, including the last ten games, notched a season-high 23 points in MSU's win at Eastern Washington connecting on eight-of-15 from the field and six-of-six at the line. She finished 25th in the nation in steals and 31st in the country in steals per game. In MSU's two victories at the Big Sky Tournament, White was averaging 19 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.5 steals and 2.0 assists per game, before the championship game was called due to COVID-19. Northern Arizona's Khiarica Rasheed was tabbed the preseason MVP. Also named to the preseason all-conference squad were Gina Marxen, Idaho, Beyonce Bea, Idaho, Dora Goles, Idaho State and Alisha Davis, Northern Colorado.
A LITTLE BIT OF TORI: Tori Martell, a product of Somerset, Wis., moved up the all-time Montana State three-point made chart last weekend, connecting on two triples. Martell has 160 career 3-pointers, which ranks fifth all-time. Ahead of Martell on MSU's all-time list are Katie Bussey (254), Hannah Caudill (231), Oliana Squires (184) and Amy Meckling (174). Martell's career 35.9% shooting from beyond the arc ranks 9th all-time at Montana State. Martell's eight 3-pointers against North Dakota on Dec. 6, 2020 broke the MSU school-record of seven previously held by Amy Meckling (Jan. 2, 2000), Brandi Lewis (Feb. 13, 2003) and Hannah Caudill (Jan. 28, 2017). Martell's total is tied for third most in the nation this season.
DARE TO BE: Sophomore Darian White has picked up where she left off last season. The preseason All-Big Sky Conference selection leads the Bobcats and Big Sky Conference averaging 19.4 points per game. She's been over the 20+ point mark on three occasions, with a career-best 24 points in MSU's win at Portland on Dec. 17. White, a graduate of Mountain View High School in Boise, Idaho, also leads the team in steals (18), assists (23) and free throws made (23). In addition, White is averaging a team-best 5.4 rebounds per game. She recorded a career-high 11 rebounds in Montana State's win over Portland.
ALL JACKED UP: Madison Jackson had her best game of the season at BYU on Dec. 10. The Parma, Idaho product tallied 11 points, her first double-digit output since notching a career-best 15 points at Eastern Washington last January. Against the Cougars, Jackson did most of her work at the free throw line connecting on a career-best nine-of-nine. For the season, she is averaging 5.0 points and 2.7 rebounds per game. She has been sidelined the last two games.
KUDOS TO KOLA: Sophomore Kola Bade Bear has played and started in all five games to date. The 6-2 product of Billings Senior is averaging 5.4 points and 2.4 rebounds per contest. Bad Bear had one of her best outings of the season at Brigham Young on Dec. 10. Against the Cougars, she posted a career-high 10 points, connecting on three field-goals and a four-of-four effort from the free throw line. Bad Bear pulled down a season-best six rebounds at BYU, as well. In MSU's win at Portland on Dec. 17, Bad Bear matched her career-best with 10 points on four-of-six shooting. For the season, she has also connected on 9-of-10 from the free throw line.
EASY PEASY: True-freshman Katelynn Limardo has started all five games for the Bobcats to date. The 6-2 product of Silver City, N.M. (a town where lawman Harvey Whitehall was the first to arrest Billy the Kid, known at the time under the alias Henry Antrim in 1875) is averaging 4.8 points per game. Limardo recorded her first double-digit output of the season against Utah on Dec. 11, scoring 10 points, on three field-goals, two 3-pointers and a 2-of-2 effort from the line. She is also averaging 4.2 rebounds per game and is shooting 78.6% from the free throw line. Limardo made 10 consecutive free throws from Dec. 10-21.
THE PRIDE OF ROSEMOUNT: True freshman Taylor Janssen has played in all five games, including two starts. She is averaging 22.7 minutes per contest. The Rosemount, Minn., native is averaging 5.6 points per game, which is fourth best on the squad. Janssen posted a season-high 10 points in MSU's season-opening victory over North Dakota. Against the Fighting Hawks, Janssen recorded four baskets, including two from long distance. She also added five rebounds, three assists, and two steals.
LAUDING LEXI: Lexi Deden has played in all five games and is averaging 14.2 minutes per game. The 6-1 forward from Missoula is averaging 5.2 points and 2.6 rebounds per contest. Deden recorded a season-high nine points in MSU's season-opening victory over North Dakota. Against the Fighting Hawks, she connected on four-of-six from the field. On the season, she is shooting 47.6% from the field. Against Portland, she pulled down a season-best seven rebounds to go along with five points. Deden also had five points in MSU's loss to So. Dakota State. The Deden name is familiar in Montana basketball circles. Deden's mother Dawn (Silliker) Deden played for the Montana from 1984-88. At UM, she was a 1,000-point scorer and was an all-Mountain West selection. In addition, Lexi's aunt and head coach at Sentinel High School, Karen Deden, was a standout at Washington and is in the Husky Hall of Fame.
SKYE'S THE LIMIT: Skye Lindsay, who sat out last season after transferring from Pepperdine, has seen action in four games this season and is averaging 6.0 points and 3.8 rebounds per game. The Orem, Utah product posted a season-best 11 points in MSU's win at Portland. In MSU's last game against South Dakota State, Lindsay recorded eight points and five rebounds.
DON'T MESS WITH TEXAS: Leia Beattie, a product of Midland, Texas, posted a season-best 12 points against So. Dakota State. She finished shooting 5-8 with two 3-pointers. Beattie also has a familiar Montana basketball pedigree. Her mother, Kelly (Pilcher) Beattie, was a two-time All-Big Sky selection for the Lady Griz and is listed sixth all-time in assists at UM. In addition, her 15 assists vs. Boise State and No. Arizona still rank first in single-game history at UM. Beattie's aunt and coach at MCA, Carla (Beattie) Cunneen, is a former Lady Griz who was the 1996 Big Sky Sixth Player of the Year.
NOTABLES:
*Individually, Tori Martell's eight 3-pointers against North Dakota on Dec. 6, 2020 broke the MSU school-record of seven previously held by Amy Meckling (Jan. 2, 2000), Brandi Lewis (Feb. 13, 2003) and Hannah Caudill (Jan. 28, 2017).
*Tori Martell's eight 3-pointers against North Dakota is tied for third most in the nation this season. Martell's eight triples matched the eight by Tori Williams, Colorado State, Taylor Mikesell, Oregon, Katie Benzan, Maryland, Hanna Hall, Buffalo, Priscilla Williams, Syracuse, and Kyra Spiwak, Providence. Sam Lewis of Fairfield connected on a nation-best 11 triples against Siena on Dec. 12, 2020.
*Montana State leads the Big Sky Conference in steals per game (11.0), turnover margin (3.60), free throws made (88), and free throws attempted (117).
*Both Montana State's Tori Martell and Darian White lead the Big Sky Conference in numerous statistical categories this season. Martell ranks first in 3-pointers per game (3.60), 3-point FG % (51.4%), and 3-pointers made (18). Martell also ranks among the nation's best - ranking 13th in 3-pointers per game, 24th in 3-point FG% and 37th in 3-point FG made. White is first in scoring (19.4 ppg) and steals (18). The Boise product is ranked 32nd in the country in steals and 49th overall in scoring.
*Montana State associate head coach Sunny Smallwood is one of the longest tenured assistants at the NCAA Division I level. Smallwood began her career at Washington State in 1990 and has gone on to serve at Washington, Cal, Nebraska, Boise State and Arizona. Before starting her collegiate career, she spent 7 years as head coach at Boise High School.
*Montana State assistant coach Blaire Braxton is in her first season on the bench under the tutelage of Head Coach Tricia Binford. Braxton finished her time in the Blue and Gold last season. Her accolades include most games played (125), and along with Madeline Smith and Oliana Squires, was a part of the winningest class in school history as the threesome accounted for 82 victories.
*The Bobcats have claimed three Big Sky regular season titles in the last five years. MSU won regular season championships in 2016, 2017, and 2020.
WHEN: Thursday, Dec. 31, 2020 @ 5 p.m. (MST)
WHERE: Cedar City, Utah - America First Center (5,300)
RECORDS: MSU: 2-3, 0-0; Southern Utah 3-2, 0-0
SERIES: Montana State leads 21-5; Streak: MSU W9
LAST MTG: March 4, 2020 - MSU 81 @ Southern Utah 65
RADIO: Live on My 103.5 FM (KZMY) with Mark Martello on the call; pregame begins 15-minutes prior to opening tip.
VIDEO: Montana State's game at Southern Utah can be streamed on Pluto TV Channel 1055.
BIG SKY OPENER: Montana State opens its Big Sky Conference schedule at Southern Utah on New Year's Eve at 5 p.m. Since the inception of women's basketball in the Big Sky during the 1988-89 season, the Bobcats are 18-14 in league openers, while Tricia Binford is 7-8 all-time. MSU has won its last five Big Sky openers, including an 85-48 win at Sacramento State. Montana State's last loss in a league opener came at North Dakota, Jan. 1, 2015 with an 82-74 setback to the Fighting Hawks.
WRAPPING THE NON-CONFERENCE: Playing a strong schedule against teams that are ranked in the CollegeInsider.com Mid-Major Top 25 poll - No. 2 South Dakota State, No. 8 BYU and (RV) Portland - the Bobcats notched a 2-3 overall mark. Its most impressive victory was an 80-67 decision over Portland on Dec. 17 in the Rose City.
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING: With her four-of-eight performance from beyond the three-point arc against South Dakota State on Dec. 21, senior Tori Martell finished the non-conference slate connecting on 18-of-35 from long distance. Her 3.60 three-pointers per game ranks 13th in the country, while her 51.4% percentage from downtown ranks 24th. Martell's 18 total triples is 37th best in the nation.
THE SCOUTING REPORT:
Southern Utah - The Thunderbirds will look to open its Big Sky Conference schedule when it hosts Montana State on Thursday night. Southern Utah's initial league opener slated for Dec. 3 & 5 in Missoula was canceled due to COVID-19. In all, the T-Birds have had four games canceled. On the year, Southern Utah is 3-2 overall, posting victories over William Jessup (74-46), Grand Canyon (84-83) and Dixie State (80-44). Their two setbacks came against Utah Valley (58-47) and BYU (84-74). Under the direction of Tracy Sanders, who is in her third season in Cedar City, the T-Birds are guided by senior redshirt Liz Graves. Graves, a 5-10 guard from Mapleton, Utah, played her first two seasons at BYU, playing in 42 games. She played her junior season at Weber State where she averaged 11 points and 5.7 rebounds per game, while leading the team in steals. This season, Graves is averaging 18.4 points and 8.4 rebounds per game. She poured in 34 points in SUU's loss to BYU. For the game, she connected on 11-17 from the field, including three 3-pointers, and a 9-9 outing at the line. Also helping the Thunderbirds this winter is Cherita Daugherty and Darri Frandsen, who average 11.8 points apiece. Frandsen also averages 8.4 rpg.
PRESEASON ACCOLADES: Montana State sophomore Darian White, who broke onto the women's basketball scene last winter, has been named to the preseason all-Big Sky Conference team voted on by BSC head coaches and media members. White, a product of Boise, Idaho, was the 2020 Big Sky Freshman of the Year, after helping the Bobcats to a 25-6 overall mark, a dominating 19-1 league ledger and a Big Sky title. In what was arguably one of the best inaugural campaigns in MSU history, White collected 394 points, 150 rebounds, 104 assists and 76 steals. She played and started in all 31 games, averaging 12.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 2.5 steals per game. White, who recorded 25 games in double-digit scoring, including the last ten games, notched a season-high 23 points in MSU's win at Eastern Washington connecting on eight-of-15 from the field and six-of-six at the line. She finished 25th in the nation in steals and 31st in the country in steals per game. In MSU's two victories at the Big Sky Tournament, White was averaging 19 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.5 steals and 2.0 assists per game, before the championship game was called due to COVID-19. Northern Arizona's Khiarica Rasheed was tabbed the preseason MVP. Also named to the preseason all-conference squad were Gina Marxen, Idaho, Beyonce Bea, Idaho, Dora Goles, Idaho State and Alisha Davis, Northern Colorado.
A LITTLE BIT OF TORI: Tori Martell, a product of Somerset, Wis., moved up the all-time Montana State three-point made chart last weekend, connecting on two triples. Martell has 160 career 3-pointers, which ranks fifth all-time. Ahead of Martell on MSU's all-time list are Katie Bussey (254), Hannah Caudill (231), Oliana Squires (184) and Amy Meckling (174). Martell's career 35.9% shooting from beyond the arc ranks 9th all-time at Montana State. Martell's eight 3-pointers against North Dakota on Dec. 6, 2020 broke the MSU school-record of seven previously held by Amy Meckling (Jan. 2, 2000), Brandi Lewis (Feb. 13, 2003) and Hannah Caudill (Jan. 28, 2017). Martell's total is tied for third most in the nation this season.
DARE TO BE: Sophomore Darian White has picked up where she left off last season. The preseason All-Big Sky Conference selection leads the Bobcats and Big Sky Conference averaging 19.4 points per game. She's been over the 20+ point mark on three occasions, with a career-best 24 points in MSU's win at Portland on Dec. 17. White, a graduate of Mountain View High School in Boise, Idaho, also leads the team in steals (18), assists (23) and free throws made (23). In addition, White is averaging a team-best 5.4 rebounds per game. She recorded a career-high 11 rebounds in Montana State's win over Portland.
ALL JACKED UP: Madison Jackson had her best game of the season at BYU on Dec. 10. The Parma, Idaho product tallied 11 points, her first double-digit output since notching a career-best 15 points at Eastern Washington last January. Against the Cougars, Jackson did most of her work at the free throw line connecting on a career-best nine-of-nine. For the season, she is averaging 5.0 points and 2.7 rebounds per game. She has been sidelined the last two games.
KUDOS TO KOLA: Sophomore Kola Bade Bear has played and started in all five games to date. The 6-2 product of Billings Senior is averaging 5.4 points and 2.4 rebounds per contest. Bad Bear had one of her best outings of the season at Brigham Young on Dec. 10. Against the Cougars, she posted a career-high 10 points, connecting on three field-goals and a four-of-four effort from the free throw line. Bad Bear pulled down a season-best six rebounds at BYU, as well. In MSU's win at Portland on Dec. 17, Bad Bear matched her career-best with 10 points on four-of-six shooting. For the season, she has also connected on 9-of-10 from the free throw line.
EASY PEASY: True-freshman Katelynn Limardo has started all five games for the Bobcats to date. The 6-2 product of Silver City, N.M. (a town where lawman Harvey Whitehall was the first to arrest Billy the Kid, known at the time under the alias Henry Antrim in 1875) is averaging 4.8 points per game. Limardo recorded her first double-digit output of the season against Utah on Dec. 11, scoring 10 points, on three field-goals, two 3-pointers and a 2-of-2 effort from the line. She is also averaging 4.2 rebounds per game and is shooting 78.6% from the free throw line. Limardo made 10 consecutive free throws from Dec. 10-21.
THE PRIDE OF ROSEMOUNT: True freshman Taylor Janssen has played in all five games, including two starts. She is averaging 22.7 minutes per contest. The Rosemount, Minn., native is averaging 5.6 points per game, which is fourth best on the squad. Janssen posted a season-high 10 points in MSU's season-opening victory over North Dakota. Against the Fighting Hawks, Janssen recorded four baskets, including two from long distance. She also added five rebounds, three assists, and two steals.
LAUDING LEXI: Lexi Deden has played in all five games and is averaging 14.2 minutes per game. The 6-1 forward from Missoula is averaging 5.2 points and 2.6 rebounds per contest. Deden recorded a season-high nine points in MSU's season-opening victory over North Dakota. Against the Fighting Hawks, she connected on four-of-six from the field. On the season, she is shooting 47.6% from the field. Against Portland, she pulled down a season-best seven rebounds to go along with five points. Deden also had five points in MSU's loss to So. Dakota State. The Deden name is familiar in Montana basketball circles. Deden's mother Dawn (Silliker) Deden played for the Montana from 1984-88. At UM, she was a 1,000-point scorer and was an all-Mountain West selection. In addition, Lexi's aunt and head coach at Sentinel High School, Karen Deden, was a standout at Washington and is in the Husky Hall of Fame.
SKYE'S THE LIMIT: Skye Lindsay, who sat out last season after transferring from Pepperdine, has seen action in four games this season and is averaging 6.0 points and 3.8 rebounds per game. The Orem, Utah product posted a season-best 11 points in MSU's win at Portland. In MSU's last game against South Dakota State, Lindsay recorded eight points and five rebounds.
DON'T MESS WITH TEXAS: Leia Beattie, a product of Midland, Texas, posted a season-best 12 points against So. Dakota State. She finished shooting 5-8 with two 3-pointers. Beattie also has a familiar Montana basketball pedigree. Her mother, Kelly (Pilcher) Beattie, was a two-time All-Big Sky selection for the Lady Griz and is listed sixth all-time in assists at UM. In addition, her 15 assists vs. Boise State and No. Arizona still rank first in single-game history at UM. Beattie's aunt and coach at MCA, Carla (Beattie) Cunneen, is a former Lady Griz who was the 1996 Big Sky Sixth Player of the Year.
NOTABLES:
*Individually, Tori Martell's eight 3-pointers against North Dakota on Dec. 6, 2020 broke the MSU school-record of seven previously held by Amy Meckling (Jan. 2, 2000), Brandi Lewis (Feb. 13, 2003) and Hannah Caudill (Jan. 28, 2017).
*Tori Martell's eight 3-pointers against North Dakota is tied for third most in the nation this season. Martell's eight triples matched the eight by Tori Williams, Colorado State, Taylor Mikesell, Oregon, Katie Benzan, Maryland, Hanna Hall, Buffalo, Priscilla Williams, Syracuse, and Kyra Spiwak, Providence. Sam Lewis of Fairfield connected on a nation-best 11 triples against Siena on Dec. 12, 2020.
*Montana State leads the Big Sky Conference in steals per game (11.0), turnover margin (3.60), free throws made (88), and free throws attempted (117).
*Both Montana State's Tori Martell and Darian White lead the Big Sky Conference in numerous statistical categories this season. Martell ranks first in 3-pointers per game (3.60), 3-point FG % (51.4%), and 3-pointers made (18). Martell also ranks among the nation's best - ranking 13th in 3-pointers per game, 24th in 3-point FG% and 37th in 3-point FG made. White is first in scoring (19.4 ppg) and steals (18). The Boise product is ranked 32nd in the country in steals and 49th overall in scoring.
*Montana State associate head coach Sunny Smallwood is one of the longest tenured assistants at the NCAA Division I level. Smallwood began her career at Washington State in 1990 and has gone on to serve at Washington, Cal, Nebraska, Boise State and Arizona. Before starting her collegiate career, she spent 7 years as head coach at Boise High School.
*Montana State assistant coach Blaire Braxton is in her first season on the bench under the tutelage of Head Coach Tricia Binford. Braxton finished her time in the Blue and Gold last season. Her accolades include most games played (125), and along with Madeline Smith and Oliana Squires, was a part of the winningest class in school history as the threesome accounted for 82 victories.
*The Bobcats have claimed three Big Sky regular season titles in the last five years. MSU won regular season championships in 2016, 2017, and 2020.
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