Saturday, February 22
BOZEMAN
2 p.m.
Montana State University
vs
Montana
Oliana Squires goes up for a jumper during MSU's convincing win over Portland State on Thursday.
Photo by: Garrett Becker
Bobcat Women Host Lady Griz
2/21/2020 4:50:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Montana State will host rival Montana on Saturday, Feb. 22 at 2 p.m. in Worthington Arena. It will mark the 109th meeting between the two foes and the most storied in the Big Sky.
WHO: Montana at Montana State
WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 22, 2020 @ 2 p.m. (MT)
WHERE: Bozeman, Mont. - Worthington Arena (6,772)
RECORDS: MSU: 18-6, 14-1; Montana: 14-10, 9-6
SERIES: Montana leads Montana State 78-30
LAST MTG: Feb. 1, 2020 - Montana St. 66, @Montana 61 OT
RADIO: Live on KMMS 1450 AM 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 Portland State is available on Pluto TV (Channel 538) and at WatchBigSky.com
TV: Broadcast live on SWX Montana, Chris Byers, p-b-p, Krista Redpath, color, Aunica Koch, sideline reporter
HOME SWEET HOME: Montana State will host rival Montana on Saturday, Feb. 22 at 2 p.m. in Worthington Arena. It will mark the 109th meeting between the two foes and the most storied in the Big Sky. Following Saturday's game, MSU will close its home season hosting Sacramento State and No. Arizona next week.
SERIES NOTE: Montana holds a commanding 78-30 lead in its all-time series with Montana State dating back to the 1974-75 season. However, the Bobcats have owned the series recently winning eight of the last ten meetings, including three straight over the Lady Griz. UM last beat the Bobcats (87-63) on Feb. 24, 2018. UM's last victory over Montana State (72-65) in Worthington Arena came on March 3, 2014. The Cats will also look for its first back-to-back series sweep over the Lady Griz since the 1975-76, 76-77 seasons.
CAT OF THE WEEK: Six Bobcats earned Cat of the Week honors after averaging in double-figures against Idaho State and Weber State. They are Fallyn Freije (14.5 ppg), Martha Kuderer (13.5 ppg), Darian White (13.5 ppg), Madeline Smith 11.0 ppg), Oliana Squires (10.5 ppg) and Tori Martell (10.5 ppg).
DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS: MSU has done a solid job on the defensive end this season. The Bobcats lead the Big Sky in rebounding (43.0 rpg), rebound margin (+9.3 rpg), rebounds defensive (33.7 rpg) and steals (10.1 spg). They're listed third in field-goal percentage defense (36.8%), 3-pt. FG% defense (30.6%) and scoring defense (60.1 ppg), and fourth in defensive rebounds (22.7 rpg). MSU boasts five players that average 4.7 rebounds or better in league play led by Fallyn Freije (8.6), Darian White (5.7), Madeline Smith (4.8), Blaire Braxton (4.7) and Martha Kuderer (4.7).
OFFENSE HELPS, TOO: MSU is also one of the top offensive squads in the Big Sky. The Bobcats lead the league in scoring (79.9 ppg), scoring margin (+18.9 ppg), FG% (45.0%) and offensive boards (15.1 rpg). They also rank second in 3-pt. field goal percentage (37.5%) and third in assists (14.5 apg). Three Bobcats rank in the top 25 in Big Sky games in scoring, including Fallyn Freije (T4th, 14.4 ppg), Darian White (T9th, 12.8 ppg) and Martha Kuderer (25th, 11.3 ppg).
NOTABLES:
*Darian White's 2.67 steals per game are tied for the highest in the nation among freshman. White is tied with Mikayla Woods of UTSA. White's total ranks 25th in the nation overall.
*Darian White's 64 steals on the season is the highest total for a freshman in the nation this winter. Ranking in the top 3 for freshmen behind White are Dyaisha Fair of Buffalo (61) and Mikayla Woods (56) of UTSA. White's 64 steals rank 28th in the country overall. The all-time Montana State record for steals in a single season belongs to Liz Holz (124) set during the 1988-89 season.
*Darian White's 81.1% free throw percentage ranks tenth in the country for freshmen. The top three percentages for freshmen in the nation to date belong to Haley Frank of Missouri (87.5%), Abbey Ellis of Cal Poly (84.5%) and Savannah Wheeler of Marshall (83.2%).
*As a team, the Bobcats have recorded six games with 50 or more rebounds this season, including a high of 59 boards in its win at Sacramento State on Dec. 28.
*The 2019-20 Bobcats are giving up 60.7 points per game, making it one of the stingiest defenses in school history. The mark currently ranks second all-time at MSU. The 1986-87 Bobcats hold the all-time mark 59.4 per game.
HOLY MOLY, OLI: Oliana Squires, a 2019-20 preseason All-Big Sky pick, is currently averaging 10.7 points per game, third highest on the squad. She became the 24th member of MSU's 1000-point club on Jan. 4 after posting 11 points in MSU's win over Southern Utah. Her career 1,082 points ranks 19th all-time. Squires notched a season-high 21 points at Weber State on Feb. 15, which included a 5-of-5 effort from beyond the arc. She's been in double-digit scoring in 16 of 22 games. Squires dished out a season-best eight assists in MSU's win over Portland State on Thursday night. She had a season-best four steals at Idaho on Feb.6. The senior tri-captain has posted 35 three-pointers and 74 assists this season. Last winter, Squires earned All-Big Sky Third-Team accolades after guiding the Bobcats averaging 11.4 ppg, 3.8 apg and 3.5 rpg.
MAD ABOUT YOU: Madeline Smith, who has started all 24 games for the Bobcats, is currently averaging 8.6 points and 5.1 rebounds per game. Smith posted her third double-double of the year leading MSU to a double overtime win at Eastern Washington on Jan. 18 with 14 points and 13 rebounds. After 24 games, the Snohomish, Wash., product is shooting 53.8% from the field, which leads the team. Her career field-goal percentage currently stands at 53.7% (401-747) which would rank third all-time at Montana State. 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 632 career rebounds ranks 14th all-time.
MARTHA'S MOMENTS: Martha Kuderer has started in all 24 games and is averaging 9.8 points and 4.5 rebounds, while shooting 47.7%. She has been in double-digits on ten occasions, including a career-high 23 points to lead MSU to a victory over Sacramento State Dec. 28. In Big Sky games, the Eden Prairie, Minn., product is averaging 11.3 points per game, while shooting 48.8% from the field. In addition, she is hitting at a 45% percent clip from beyond the arc and has connected on 18-of-40 three-pointers in 15 Big Sky Conference games.
BOUNDING WITH BLAIRE: Blaire Braxton, who played in all 31 games, including seven starts for the Bobcats last winter, is currently averaging 4.9 points and 4.4 rebounds per game. Braxton posted a season-high 12 points in Montana State's win over Weber State on Jan. 23, connecting on three-of-four from the line and career six-of-six from the free throw line. In addition, she added seven rebounds and a blocked shot. Braxton is currently 13th on MSU's all-time rebounding chart with 655 boards. On Feb. 13 at Idaho State, Braxton was instrumental in helping the Cats expand its lead against the Bengals with six straight points coming off three offensive rebounds. In all, the Highlands Ranch product scored eight points and added four rebounds in the third frame, ending with 10 points and six boards. In MSU's win over Portland State on Thursday, she posted 8 points and 5 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 1,160 points and has amassed 691 rebounds over the course of her collegiate career.
DEEP FREIJE: Senior Fallyn Freije is averaging a team-best 13.4 points per game. She is first on the squad pulling down 7.9 rebounds, as well. On the season, Freije has been in double-digit scoring on 19 occasions, including a career-high 27 points in MSU's overtime win at Montana on Feb. 1. Freije posted her fifth double-double of the season with 19 points and 11 rebounds as the Bobcats defeated Portland State on Thursday. In Big Sky Conference action, she is averaging 14.4 points and 8.6 rebounds, while shooting 44% from the field and 83.9% from the free throw line.
BARDS OF THE BLOCK: Madeline Smith and Blaire Braxton have manned the blocks for the Bobcats the past four seasons and on Feb. 1 at Montana became the all-time senior tandem in MSU history when it comes to rebounding. The duo has combined for 1,290 rebounds, surpassing the old mark of 1,248 boards held by the senior duo of Blythe Hommes and Julie Brown (1997). Other top senior combos include Alaina Bauer/Sandy Neiss, 1,196 (1991); & Kelly Martin/Serena Merrill, 1,034 (2001).
TORI, TORI, TORI: Tori Martell has connected on 44 3-pointers this season. She is averaging 8.1 points per game, while shooting 45.3% from the field and 41.1% from long distance. Martell, who filled in for Oliana Squires for four games, notched a season-high 17 points in MSU's double overtime win at Eastern Washington. As part of the starting rotation, she averaged 12 points per game and connected on 11 three-pointers. Martell recorded ten points on 3-of-6 from the field, including two 3-pointers as the Bobcats beat Portland State, Thursday.
FRESH START: True-freshman Darian White is making a good impression in the Blue and Gold. The Boise, Idaho product has started all 24 games and is second on the team averaging 11.8 points game. She has been in double-figure scoring 18 times. White notched a season-high 23 points in MSU's double overtime win at E. Washington on Jan. 18. 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 Big Sky Conference play, White has averaged 12.8 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 3.2 steals per game. White is currently ranked 25th in the nation in steals per game at 2.67 per contest. Last winter, she was the Idaho Gatorade Player of the Year.
ALL JACKED UP: Madison Jackson has averaged 15.5 minutes over 22 games. The Parma, Idaho native is averaging 5.5 points and 3.0 rebounds per game. She recorded a season-high 15 points in Montana State's win at E. Washington on Jan. 18. Jackson's points came from beyond the arc as she connected on 5-of-8 triples. 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: Kola Bad Bear is averaging 2.7 points and 2.6 rebounds per game over the first 24 outings. The Billings Senior grad recorded a season-best 8 points at Sacramento State on December 28, hitting 4-6 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. 24, 2015, MSU has won 52 of 63 games (83%) in The Brick. The Bobcats average 2,216 fans. The Cats had a season-high 6,596 in attendance for its annual Bobcat School Day Nov. 11, 2019.
WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 22, 2020 @ 2 p.m. (MT)
WHERE: Bozeman, Mont. - Worthington Arena (6,772)
RECORDS: MSU: 18-6, 14-1; Montana: 14-10, 9-6
SERIES: Montana leads Montana State 78-30
LAST MTG: Feb. 1, 2020 - Montana St. 66, @Montana 61 OT
RADIO: Live on KMMS 1450 AM 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 Portland State is available on Pluto TV (Channel 538) and at WatchBigSky.com
TV: Broadcast live on SWX Montana, Chris Byers, p-b-p, Krista Redpath, color, Aunica Koch, sideline reporter
HOME SWEET HOME: Montana State will host rival Montana on Saturday, Feb. 22 at 2 p.m. in Worthington Arena. It will mark the 109th meeting between the two foes and the most storied in the Big Sky. Following Saturday's game, MSU will close its home season hosting Sacramento State and No. Arizona next week.
SERIES NOTE: Montana holds a commanding 78-30 lead in its all-time series with Montana State dating back to the 1974-75 season. However, the Bobcats have owned the series recently winning eight of the last ten meetings, including three straight over the Lady Griz. UM last beat the Bobcats (87-63) on Feb. 24, 2018. UM's last victory over Montana State (72-65) in Worthington Arena came on March 3, 2014. The Cats will also look for its first back-to-back series sweep over the Lady Griz since the 1975-76, 76-77 seasons.
CAT OF THE WEEK: Six Bobcats earned Cat of the Week honors after averaging in double-figures against Idaho State and Weber State. They are Fallyn Freije (14.5 ppg), Martha Kuderer (13.5 ppg), Darian White (13.5 ppg), Madeline Smith 11.0 ppg), Oliana Squires (10.5 ppg) and Tori Martell (10.5 ppg).
DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS: MSU has done a solid job on the defensive end this season. The Bobcats lead the Big Sky in rebounding (43.0 rpg), rebound margin (+9.3 rpg), rebounds defensive (33.7 rpg) and steals (10.1 spg). They're listed third in field-goal percentage defense (36.8%), 3-pt. FG% defense (30.6%) and scoring defense (60.1 ppg), and fourth in defensive rebounds (22.7 rpg). MSU boasts five players that average 4.7 rebounds or better in league play led by Fallyn Freije (8.6), Darian White (5.7), Madeline Smith (4.8), Blaire Braxton (4.7) and Martha Kuderer (4.7).
OFFENSE HELPS, TOO: MSU is also one of the top offensive squads in the Big Sky. The Bobcats lead the league in scoring (79.9 ppg), scoring margin (+18.9 ppg), FG% (45.0%) and offensive boards (15.1 rpg). They also rank second in 3-pt. field goal percentage (37.5%) and third in assists (14.5 apg). Three Bobcats rank in the top 25 in Big Sky games in scoring, including Fallyn Freije (T4th, 14.4 ppg), Darian White (T9th, 12.8 ppg) and Martha Kuderer (25th, 11.3 ppg).
NOTABLES:
*Darian White's 2.67 steals per game are tied for the highest in the nation among freshman. White is tied with Mikayla Woods of UTSA. White's total ranks 25th in the nation overall.
*Darian White's 64 steals on the season is the highest total for a freshman in the nation this winter. Ranking in the top 3 for freshmen behind White are Dyaisha Fair of Buffalo (61) and Mikayla Woods (56) of UTSA. White's 64 steals rank 28th in the country overall. The all-time Montana State record for steals in a single season belongs to Liz Holz (124) set during the 1988-89 season.
*Darian White's 81.1% free throw percentage ranks tenth in the country for freshmen. The top three percentages for freshmen in the nation to date belong to Haley Frank of Missouri (87.5%), Abbey Ellis of Cal Poly (84.5%) and Savannah Wheeler of Marshall (83.2%).
*As a team, the Bobcats have recorded six games with 50 or more rebounds this season, including a high of 59 boards in its win at Sacramento State on Dec. 28.
*The 2019-20 Bobcats are giving up 60.7 points per game, making it one of the stingiest defenses in school history. The mark currently ranks second all-time at MSU. The 1986-87 Bobcats hold the all-time mark 59.4 per game.
HOLY MOLY, OLI: Oliana Squires, a 2019-20 preseason All-Big Sky pick, is currently averaging 10.7 points per game, third highest on the squad. She became the 24th member of MSU's 1000-point club on Jan. 4 after posting 11 points in MSU's win over Southern Utah. Her career 1,082 points ranks 19th all-time. Squires notched a season-high 21 points at Weber State on Feb. 15, which included a 5-of-5 effort from beyond the arc. She's been in double-digit scoring in 16 of 22 games. Squires dished out a season-best eight assists in MSU's win over Portland State on Thursday night. She had a season-best four steals at Idaho on Feb.6. The senior tri-captain has posted 35 three-pointers and 74 assists this season. Last winter, Squires earned All-Big Sky Third-Team accolades after guiding the Bobcats averaging 11.4 ppg, 3.8 apg and 3.5 rpg.
MAD ABOUT YOU: Madeline Smith, who has started all 24 games for the Bobcats, is currently averaging 8.6 points and 5.1 rebounds per game. Smith posted her third double-double of the year leading MSU to a double overtime win at Eastern Washington on Jan. 18 with 14 points and 13 rebounds. After 24 games, the Snohomish, Wash., product is shooting 53.8% from the field, which leads the team. Her career field-goal percentage currently stands at 53.7% (401-747) which would rank third all-time at Montana State. 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 632 career rebounds ranks 14th all-time.
MARTHA'S MOMENTS: Martha Kuderer has started in all 24 games and is averaging 9.8 points and 4.5 rebounds, while shooting 47.7%. She has been in double-digits on ten occasions, including a career-high 23 points to lead MSU to a victory over Sacramento State Dec. 28. In Big Sky games, the Eden Prairie, Minn., product is averaging 11.3 points per game, while shooting 48.8% from the field. In addition, she is hitting at a 45% percent clip from beyond the arc and has connected on 18-of-40 three-pointers in 15 Big Sky Conference games.
BOUNDING WITH BLAIRE: Blaire Braxton, who played in all 31 games, including seven starts for the Bobcats last winter, is currently averaging 4.9 points and 4.4 rebounds per game. Braxton posted a season-high 12 points in Montana State's win over Weber State on Jan. 23, connecting on three-of-four from the line and career six-of-six from the free throw line. In addition, she added seven rebounds and a blocked shot. Braxton is currently 13th on MSU's all-time rebounding chart with 655 boards. On Feb. 13 at Idaho State, Braxton was instrumental in helping the Cats expand its lead against the Bengals with six straight points coming off three offensive rebounds. In all, the Highlands Ranch product scored eight points and added four rebounds in the third frame, ending with 10 points and six boards. In MSU's win over Portland State on Thursday, she posted 8 points and 5 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 1,160 points and has amassed 691 rebounds over the course of her collegiate career.
DEEP FREIJE: Senior Fallyn Freije is averaging a team-best 13.4 points per game. She is first on the squad pulling down 7.9 rebounds, as well. On the season, Freije has been in double-digit scoring on 19 occasions, including a career-high 27 points in MSU's overtime win at Montana on Feb. 1. Freije posted her fifth double-double of the season with 19 points and 11 rebounds as the Bobcats defeated Portland State on Thursday. In Big Sky Conference action, she is averaging 14.4 points and 8.6 rebounds, while shooting 44% from the field and 83.9% from the free throw line.
BARDS OF THE BLOCK: Madeline Smith and Blaire Braxton have manned the blocks for the Bobcats the past four seasons and on Feb. 1 at Montana became the all-time senior tandem in MSU history when it comes to rebounding. The duo has combined for 1,290 rebounds, surpassing the old mark of 1,248 boards held by the senior duo of Blythe Hommes and Julie Brown (1997). Other top senior combos include Alaina Bauer/Sandy Neiss, 1,196 (1991); & Kelly Martin/Serena Merrill, 1,034 (2001).
TORI, TORI, TORI: Tori Martell has connected on 44 3-pointers this season. She is averaging 8.1 points per game, while shooting 45.3% from the field and 41.1% from long distance. Martell, who filled in for Oliana Squires for four games, notched a season-high 17 points in MSU's double overtime win at Eastern Washington. As part of the starting rotation, she averaged 12 points per game and connected on 11 three-pointers. Martell recorded ten points on 3-of-6 from the field, including two 3-pointers as the Bobcats beat Portland State, Thursday.
FRESH START: True-freshman Darian White is making a good impression in the Blue and Gold. The Boise, Idaho product has started all 24 games and is second on the team averaging 11.8 points game. She has been in double-figure scoring 18 times. White notched a season-high 23 points in MSU's double overtime win at E. Washington on Jan. 18. 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 Big Sky Conference play, White has averaged 12.8 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 3.2 steals per game. White is currently ranked 25th in the nation in steals per game at 2.67 per contest. Last winter, she was the Idaho Gatorade Player of the Year.
ALL JACKED UP: Madison Jackson has averaged 15.5 minutes over 22 games. The Parma, Idaho native is averaging 5.5 points and 3.0 rebounds per game. She recorded a season-high 15 points in Montana State's win at E. Washington on Jan. 18. Jackson's points came from beyond the arc as she connected on 5-of-8 triples. 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: Kola Bad Bear is averaging 2.7 points and 2.6 rebounds per game over the first 24 outings. The Billings Senior grad recorded a season-best 8 points at Sacramento State on December 28, hitting 4-6 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. 24, 2015, MSU has won 52 of 63 games (83%) in The Brick. The Bobcats average 2,216 fans. The Cats had a season-high 6,596 in attendance for its annual Bobcat School Day Nov. 11, 2019.
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