
Photo by: Garrett Becker
Big Sky Champs Ready for League Tournament
3/9/2020 9:53:00 AM | Women's Basketball
MSU plays the winner of No. 8 Northern Colorado/No. 9 Sacramento State in quarterfinal action on Tuesday, March 10 at CenturyLink Arena in Boise, Idaho.
WHO: No. 8 No. Colorado/No. 9 Sac. State vs. MSU
WHEN: Tuesday, March 10, 2020 @ 12 p.m. (MT)
WHERE: Boise, Idaho. - CentruyLink Arena (5,300)
RECORD: Montana State: 23-6 Overall, 19-1 Big Sky
SERIES: MSU vs. UNC 15-14; MSU vs. SAC 36-12
LAST MTG: @UNC 3/6/20 W 73-63; vs SAC 2/27/20 W 113-69
RADIO: Live on 1450 KMMS 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 games at the BSC Tourney are available on Pluto TV (Channel 531) and at WatchBigSky.com
BIG SKY TOURNEY: Montana State enters the Big Sky Conference Tournament as the No. 1 seed after dominating the regular-season going 23-6 overall and 19-1 in league action. The Bobcats won the regular season title by a whopping four games. MSU plays the winner of No. 8 Northern Colorado/No. 9 Sacramento State in quarterfinal action on Tuesday, March 10 at CenturyLink Arena in Boise, Idaho. Semifinal play will be held Wednesday with the championship set for Friday at 1 p.m. (MT)
SERIES NOTES: Montana State swept both Northern Colorado and Sacramento State this winter. MSU holds a 15-14 advantage all-time against UNC and are 36-12 all-time against Sacramento State.
A FEBRUARY TO REMEMBER: There was no February swoon for the 2019-20 edition of Bobcat women's basketball. The squad became the first MSU team to win every game during the month of February, posting a perfect 9-0 record.
ROAD WARRIORS: MSU won all 10 of its Big Sky road games- a program first.
DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS: MSU has done a solid job on the defensive end this season. The Cats lead the Big Sky in total rebounds (41.6 rpg), rebounding defense (34.7 rpg), rebound margin (+6.9 rpg) and steals (9.6). They are third in field-goal percentage defense (37.3%), 3-pt. field-goal defense (30.1%) and scoring defense (63.1 ppg), and fourth in defensive rebounds (27.5 rpg). MSU has five players averaging 4.4 rpg or better in Big Sky action led by Fallyn Freije (8.2 rpg), Darian White (5.3 rpg), Blaire Braxton (5.1 rpg), Madeline Smith (4.9 rpg) and Martha Kuderer (4.4 rpg).
OFFENSE HELPS, TOO: MSU is also one of the top offensive squads in the Big Sky. The Cats lead the league in scoring (81.5 ppg), scoring margin (+18.5 ppg), field-goal percentage (46.4%) three-point field-goal percentage (38.0%) and offensive rebounds (14.1 rpg). They are ranked second in assists (15.5 apg) and fifth in free throw percentage (72.1%). Three players rank in the Big Sky's top 25 in scoring: Fallyn Freije (5th, 14.5 ppg), Darian White (12th, 13.2 ppg) and Oliana Squires (24th, 10.9 ppg).
THREE DOT NOTES: Darian White's 2.45 steals per game are second in the nation among freshman. White is trails Dyaisha Fair of Buffalo (2.64)…Darian White's 71 steals ties for most in the nation by a freshman. The number ranks No. 35 in the country overall…Madeline Smith's 53.6% career FG percentage ranks third all-time at MSU behind Jessica Blake (54.6%) and Lynne Andrew (53.8%)…In its last seven games, five players have averaged double-figures, including Fallyn Freije (15.9), Darian White (15.0), Oliana Squires (14.1), Madeline Smith (10.7) and Blaire Braxton (10.1). Martha Kuderer is at 9.6 ppg…The 2019-20 Bobcats are giving up 62.2 points per game, making it one of the stingiest defenses in school history. The mark currently ranks seventh all-time at MSU. The 1986-87 Bobcats hold the all-time mark 59.4 per game…In its last seven games, MSU averaged 90.3 ppg, while shooting 51.8% from the field…Tori Martell is 23rd in the nation shooting 42.6% from three-point range. The mark is the tenth highest in the nation's junior class…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.
MORE ON THE BEARS:/HORNETS: UNC dropped its finale game 73-63 to MSU. Alisha Davis and Jasmine Gayles led the Bears with 15 points in the loss. Ali Meyer grabbed nine rebounds. UNC has been the eight seed in the Big Sky Tourney one other time, that came in 2016. UNC and Sac. State have met one other time in the Big Sky Tourney. That came in 2015 semifinals with the Bears winning 81-79 in OT. Sac enters the 2020 tournament with a 6-13 all-time Big Sky tournament record. The team's last win came in the 20016 tournament, a 102-89 win over So. Utah. The Hornets are 0-1 in the tournament since moving to Boise. Five different players average double-digit for Sacramento State this season. The Hornets are led by a team-high 14.2 ppg from Kennedy Nicholas while Camariah King is next at 12.1. Tiana Johnson (11.6), Summer Menke (11.0), and Gabi Bade (10.5) are all over 10 points per game. The five players in double-figures are the Hornets' most since four finished with 10+ per game in 2016-17.
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 2nd Team All-Big Sky pick, is currently averaging 11.4 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 1,163 points ranks 18th 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 20 of 27 games. Squires dished out a season-best eight assists in MSU's win over Portland State on Feb. 20. She had a season-best four steals at Idaho on Feb.6. The senior tri-captain moved into 10th on MSU's all-time assist chart with a career total of 310. 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 29 games for the Bobcats, is currently averaging 8.9 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 29 games, the Snohomish, Wash., product is shooting 55.7% from the field, which is 2nd on the team. Her career field-goal percentage currently stands at 53.6% (419-781) which would rank third all-time at Montana State. This season she has recorded 13 games in double-figures. Last winter, Smith was third in the Big Sky in field-goal percentage, shooting 53.7% from the floor. She posted a career-high 27 points against Southern Utah, last winter. Her current total of 658 career rebounds ranks 14th all-time.
MARTHA'S MOMENTS: Martha Kuderer has started in all 29 games and is averaging 9.3 points and 4.3 rebounds, while shooting 48.4%. She has been in double-digits on 11 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 10.3 points per game, while shooting 49.6% from the field. In addition, she is hitting at a 43.2% percent clip from beyond the arc and has connected on 19-of-44 three-pointers in 20 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 6.0 points and 4.7 rebounds per game. Braxton posted a season-high 15 points in 19 minutes to spark the Bobcats to its victory over Montana on Feb. 22. In her best outing of the season, the Highlands Ranch, Colo., product connected on four-of-eight from the field and seven-of-nine at the line. In addition, she pulled down seven rebounds and dished out three assists. In her last five outings, Braxton has come off the bench to average 11.2 points and six rebounds per game, while shooting a red-hot 64.5% from the field. Braxton is currently tenth on MSU's all-time rebounding chart with 685 boards. She is also fourth on Montana State's all-time career blocks chart with 108 swats.
BIG SKY 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 1,234 points and has amassed 729 rebounds over the course of her collegiate career.
DEEP FREIJE: Senior Fallyn Freije is averaging a team-best 13.7 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 24 occasions, including a career-high 27 points in MSU's overtime win at Montana on Feb. 1. Freije posted her sixth double-double of the season with 12 points and 11 rebounds as the Bobcats completed its season with a 73-63 win at Northern Colorado. In Big Sky action, she is averaging 14.5 points and 8.2 rebounds, while shooting 46% from the field and 81.7% from the free throw line.
BARDS OF THE BLOCKS: 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 1,346 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 58 3-pointers this season. She is averaging 8.4 points per game, while shooting 44.3% from the field and 42.6% 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. In the last six games, Martell has connected on 16-of-32 from beyond the arc, shooting at a 50% clip.
FRESH START: True-freshman Darian White has made quite the impression on the Big Sky this season. The Boise, Idaho product has started all 29 games and is second on the team averaging 12.3 points game. She has been in double-digit scoring 23 times. White notched a season-high 23 points in MSU's double overtime win at E. Washington on Jan. 18. White connected on 8-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 play, White has averaged 13.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 2.8 steals per game. White is currently ranked 32nd in the nation in steals per game at 2.50 per contest. Last winter, she was the Idaho Gatorade Player of the Year.
ALL JACKED UP: Madison Jackson has averaged 15 minutes over 25 games. The Parma, Idaho native is averaging 5.1 points and 2.6 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 2.6 points and 2.6 rebounds per game in 29 outings. The Billings Senior grad had a season-best 8 points vs. Sacramento State twice this season, combining for 7-of-10 (70%) 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.
WHEN: Tuesday, March 10, 2020 @ 12 p.m. (MT)
WHERE: Boise, Idaho. - CentruyLink Arena (5,300)
RECORD: Montana State: 23-6 Overall, 19-1 Big Sky
SERIES: MSU vs. UNC 15-14; MSU vs. SAC 36-12
LAST MTG: @UNC 3/6/20 W 73-63; vs SAC 2/27/20 W 113-69
RADIO: Live on 1450 KMMS 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 games at the BSC Tourney are available on Pluto TV (Channel 531) and at WatchBigSky.com
BIG SKY TOURNEY: Montana State enters the Big Sky Conference Tournament as the No. 1 seed after dominating the regular-season going 23-6 overall and 19-1 in league action. The Bobcats won the regular season title by a whopping four games. MSU plays the winner of No. 8 Northern Colorado/No. 9 Sacramento State in quarterfinal action on Tuesday, March 10 at CenturyLink Arena in Boise, Idaho. Semifinal play will be held Wednesday with the championship set for Friday at 1 p.m. (MT)
SERIES NOTES: Montana State swept both Northern Colorado and Sacramento State this winter. MSU holds a 15-14 advantage all-time against UNC and are 36-12 all-time against Sacramento State.
A FEBRUARY TO REMEMBER: There was no February swoon for the 2019-20 edition of Bobcat women's basketball. The squad became the first MSU team to win every game during the month of February, posting a perfect 9-0 record.
ROAD WARRIORS: MSU won all 10 of its Big Sky road games- a program first.
DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS: MSU has done a solid job on the defensive end this season. The Cats lead the Big Sky in total rebounds (41.6 rpg), rebounding defense (34.7 rpg), rebound margin (+6.9 rpg) and steals (9.6). They are third in field-goal percentage defense (37.3%), 3-pt. field-goal defense (30.1%) and scoring defense (63.1 ppg), and fourth in defensive rebounds (27.5 rpg). MSU has five players averaging 4.4 rpg or better in Big Sky action led by Fallyn Freije (8.2 rpg), Darian White (5.3 rpg), Blaire Braxton (5.1 rpg), Madeline Smith (4.9 rpg) and Martha Kuderer (4.4 rpg).
OFFENSE HELPS, TOO: MSU is also one of the top offensive squads in the Big Sky. The Cats lead the league in scoring (81.5 ppg), scoring margin (+18.5 ppg), field-goal percentage (46.4%) three-point field-goal percentage (38.0%) and offensive rebounds (14.1 rpg). They are ranked second in assists (15.5 apg) and fifth in free throw percentage (72.1%). Three players rank in the Big Sky's top 25 in scoring: Fallyn Freije (5th, 14.5 ppg), Darian White (12th, 13.2 ppg) and Oliana Squires (24th, 10.9 ppg).
THREE DOT NOTES: Darian White's 2.45 steals per game are second in the nation among freshman. White is trails Dyaisha Fair of Buffalo (2.64)…Darian White's 71 steals ties for most in the nation by a freshman. The number ranks No. 35 in the country overall…Madeline Smith's 53.6% career FG percentage ranks third all-time at MSU behind Jessica Blake (54.6%) and Lynne Andrew (53.8%)…In its last seven games, five players have averaged double-figures, including Fallyn Freije (15.9), Darian White (15.0), Oliana Squires (14.1), Madeline Smith (10.7) and Blaire Braxton (10.1). Martha Kuderer is at 9.6 ppg…The 2019-20 Bobcats are giving up 62.2 points per game, making it one of the stingiest defenses in school history. The mark currently ranks seventh all-time at MSU. The 1986-87 Bobcats hold the all-time mark 59.4 per game…In its last seven games, MSU averaged 90.3 ppg, while shooting 51.8% from the field…Tori Martell is 23rd in the nation shooting 42.6% from three-point range. The mark is the tenth highest in the nation's junior class…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.
MORE ON THE BEARS:/HORNETS: UNC dropped its finale game 73-63 to MSU. Alisha Davis and Jasmine Gayles led the Bears with 15 points in the loss. Ali Meyer grabbed nine rebounds. UNC has been the eight seed in the Big Sky Tourney one other time, that came in 2016. UNC and Sac. State have met one other time in the Big Sky Tourney. That came in 2015 semifinals with the Bears winning 81-79 in OT. Sac enters the 2020 tournament with a 6-13 all-time Big Sky tournament record. The team's last win came in the 20016 tournament, a 102-89 win over So. Utah. The Hornets are 0-1 in the tournament since moving to Boise. Five different players average double-digit for Sacramento State this season. The Hornets are led by a team-high 14.2 ppg from Kennedy Nicholas while Camariah King is next at 12.1. Tiana Johnson (11.6), Summer Menke (11.0), and Gabi Bade (10.5) are all over 10 points per game. The five players in double-figures are the Hornets' most since four finished with 10+ per game in 2016-17.
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 2nd Team All-Big Sky pick, is currently averaging 11.4 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 1,163 points ranks 18th 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 20 of 27 games. Squires dished out a season-best eight assists in MSU's win over Portland State on Feb. 20. She had a season-best four steals at Idaho on Feb.6. The senior tri-captain moved into 10th on MSU's all-time assist chart with a career total of 310. 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 29 games for the Bobcats, is currently averaging 8.9 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 29 games, the Snohomish, Wash., product is shooting 55.7% from the field, which is 2nd on the team. Her career field-goal percentage currently stands at 53.6% (419-781) which would rank third all-time at Montana State. This season she has recorded 13 games in double-figures. Last winter, Smith was third in the Big Sky in field-goal percentage, shooting 53.7% from the floor. She posted a career-high 27 points against Southern Utah, last winter. Her current total of 658 career rebounds ranks 14th all-time.
MARTHA'S MOMENTS: Martha Kuderer has started in all 29 games and is averaging 9.3 points and 4.3 rebounds, while shooting 48.4%. She has been in double-digits on 11 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 10.3 points per game, while shooting 49.6% from the field. In addition, she is hitting at a 43.2% percent clip from beyond the arc and has connected on 19-of-44 three-pointers in 20 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 6.0 points and 4.7 rebounds per game. Braxton posted a season-high 15 points in 19 minutes to spark the Bobcats to its victory over Montana on Feb. 22. In her best outing of the season, the Highlands Ranch, Colo., product connected on four-of-eight from the field and seven-of-nine at the line. In addition, she pulled down seven rebounds and dished out three assists. In her last five outings, Braxton has come off the bench to average 11.2 points and six rebounds per game, while shooting a red-hot 64.5% from the field. Braxton is currently tenth on MSU's all-time rebounding chart with 685 boards. She is also fourth on Montana State's all-time career blocks chart with 108 swats.
BIG SKY 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 1,234 points and has amassed 729 rebounds over the course of her collegiate career.
DEEP FREIJE: Senior Fallyn Freije is averaging a team-best 13.7 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 24 occasions, including a career-high 27 points in MSU's overtime win at Montana on Feb. 1. Freije posted her sixth double-double of the season with 12 points and 11 rebounds as the Bobcats completed its season with a 73-63 win at Northern Colorado. In Big Sky action, she is averaging 14.5 points and 8.2 rebounds, while shooting 46% from the field and 81.7% from the free throw line.
BARDS OF THE BLOCKS: 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 1,346 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 58 3-pointers this season. She is averaging 8.4 points per game, while shooting 44.3% from the field and 42.6% 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. In the last six games, Martell has connected on 16-of-32 from beyond the arc, shooting at a 50% clip.
FRESH START: True-freshman Darian White has made quite the impression on the Big Sky this season. The Boise, Idaho product has started all 29 games and is second on the team averaging 12.3 points game. She has been in double-digit scoring 23 times. White notched a season-high 23 points in MSU's double overtime win at E. Washington on Jan. 18. White connected on 8-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 play, White has averaged 13.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 2.8 steals per game. White is currently ranked 32nd in the nation in steals per game at 2.50 per contest. Last winter, she was the Idaho Gatorade Player of the Year.
ALL JACKED UP: Madison Jackson has averaged 15 minutes over 25 games. The Parma, Idaho native is averaging 5.1 points and 2.6 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 2.6 points and 2.6 rebounds per game in 29 outings. The Billings Senior grad had a season-best 8 points vs. Sacramento State twice this season, combining for 7-of-10 (70%) 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.
Players Mentioned
Wednesday, January 26
Saturday, December 18
Thursday, November 04
Tuesday, November 02



























