Thursday, January 28
BOZEMAN
5 p.m.
Montana State University
vs
Montana
Photo by: Garrett Becker
Cat-Griz, Part I
1/26/2021 3:34:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Montana State will host the University of Montana on Thursday, Jan. 28 at 5 p.m., in Worthington Arena.
WHO: Montana at Montana State
WHEN: Thursday, Jan. 28, 2021 @ 5:05 p.m. (MST)
WHERE: Bozeman, Mont. - Worthington Arena (6,772)
RECORDS: Montana St.: 7-5, 4-2; Montana: 7-4, 4-2
SERIES: Montana leads 78-31; Streak: MSU W4
LAST MTG: Feb. 22, 2020 - @ MSU 92, Montana 78
RADIO: Live on KMMS 1450 AM with Mark Martello on the call; pregame begins 15-minutes prior to opening tip.
STREAMING: Montana State's game against Montana on Thursday can be seen on Pluto TV - Channel 1057
TV: Montana State's game against Montana will air live on SWX Montana. Chris Byers, pxp, Alex Eschelman, color.
CAT-GRIZ, PART I: Montana State will host the University of Montana on Thursday, Jan. 28 at 5 p.m., in Worthington Arena. The Bobcats will then travel to Missoula to face the Lady Griz at 12 p.m., on Saturday, Jan. 30 in Dahlberg Arena. The Bobcats have won the last four meetings between the two rivals, as well as nine-of-the-last 11 contests, which include a pair of MSU overtime victories- both in Missoula. Last year's game at UM saw the Bobcats come back from a 14-point second half deficit for the overtime win.
BOBCAT PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Freshman Lexi Deden is the Bobcat Player of the Week for her efforts against Northern Arizona, last weekend. The Missoula product averaged 15 points and 7.5 rebounds per game, while shooting an impressive 66.7% (14-21) from the field. The Sentinel High School grad also chipped in five steals and three assists. She had her best outing on Saturday, guiding the Bobcats to a 90-65 victory over the Lumberjacks. Deden posted a career-high 22 points, connecting on 10-of-14 from the field. She also pulled down seven rebounds and added two assists.
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING: Last week, the Bobcats shot 42.9% (21-49) from long distance, while holding Northern Arizona to just 18.9% (7-37) from beyond the arc.
THE SCOUTING REPORT: Montana - The University of Montana enters Thursday's contest 7-4 overall and 4-2 in Big Sky Conference action. Last week, the Lady Griz swept a home series against Sacramento State, winning on Thursday 90-77, before holding on for a 66-63 decision on Saturday. UM has won four of its last five contests, with the lone loss coming at Northern Arizona (89-76) on Jan. 16. On the season, Montana has three players averaging double-digits. They are led by Carmen Gfeller at 16.5 points per game. She is also shooting an impressive 56.5% from the field. Also in double-figures are Abby Anderson and Sophia Stiles at 12.2 and 11.5 points, respectively. Under the boards, the Lady Griz are paced by senior Madi Schoening, who averages 7.1 rebounds per contest. As a team, Montana shoots 41.6% from the field, 31.4% from beyond the arc, and a league-leading 80.7% from the free throw line. Last weekend, in its two-game series with Sacramento State, Montana was led by Gfeller, a 6-1 sophomore forward from Colfax, Wash. For the weekend, she averaged 20 points and 9.5 rebounds per game, while shooting 60% from the floor and 90.9% from the charity stripe. UM is under the direction of first-year head coach Mike Petrino.
BIG SKY NOTES: Idaho State remains undefeated in league play at 10-0 after sweeping Portland State, last weekend...ISU's games at Southern Utah this week have been canceled...Northern Colorado's Alisha Davis is the Big Sky Player of the Week...Davis averaged 21.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, 2.5 blocks, 2.5 steals, and an assist against Eastern Washington. She also shot 63% from the field, going 15-of-24.
NO PLACE LIKE HOME: Since losing to San Diego on Nov. 24, 2015, Montana State has gone 59-13 (81.9.%) in the Brick Breeden Fieldhouse. In Big Sky Conference action during the same time span, the Bobcats are 41-10 (80.4%) at home.
THE STREAK: With its win over North Dakota on Dec. 6, the Bobcats ran its consecutive winning streak to a school-record 18 games. Montana State started the streak on Jan. 11, 2020 with a 73-62 victory at Portland State. MSU closed out the 2019-20 season with a 76-71 win over Northern Arizona in semifinal action at the Big Sky Tournament on March 11 in Boise, Idaho. The season was halted the next day due to COVID-19. MSU's 18-game win streak was snapped at BYU on Dec. 10. The streak was the third longest in the nation at the time, behind only Oregon (24) and Princeton (22).
PRESEASON ACCOLADES: Montana State sophomore Darian White was named to the preseason all-Big Sky 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, 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 averaged 19 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.5 steals and 2.0 assists.
A LITTLE BIT OF TORI: Tori Martell, a product of Somerset, Wis., moved up the all-time Montana State three-point made chart. Martell has 177 career 3-pointers, which ranks fourth all-time. Ahead of her on MSU's all-time list are Katie Bussey (254), Hannah Caudill (231), and Oliana Squires (184). Martell's career 36.0% shooting from beyond the arc ranks ninth 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 is seventh in the Big Sky averaging 14.5 points per game. She has 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 assists (55), steals (34) and free throws made (54). In addition, White is averaging a team-best 5.6 rebounds per game. She recorded a career-high 11 rebounds at Portland.
ALL JACKED UP: Madison Jackson, who had been sidelined for the past seven games, returned to action against Northern Arizona. Playing limited minutes, she posted four points against NAU on Thursday night on two-of-three from the field. 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.
KUDOS TO KOLA: Sophomore Kola Bad Bear has played and started in all 12 games to date. The 6-2 product of Billings Senior is averaging 5.8 points and 2.8 rebounds per contest. Bad Bear had her best outing of the season at Portland State on Jan. 14 posting a career-high 16 points, connecting on seven-of-10 from the field. She has been in double-digit scoring on three occasions. Bad Bear pulled down a season-best six rebounds at BYU on Dec. 10. On the season, she is fourth on the Bobcat squad shooting 80.8% at the free throw. Bad Bear has converted 21-26 charity tosses. Her 21 makes are second highest on the squad.
EASY PEASY: True-freshman Katelynn Limardo has started all 12 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 5.7 points per game. Limardo had her best game of the season at Utah Valley scoring a team-high 15 points. Against the Wolverines, she connected on 6-of-8 from the field and was three-of-five from long distance. Limardo also chipped in four rebounds, two assists, a steal and a block in the win. On the season, she is averaging 4.3 rebounds per game. Limardo had a season-best eight rebounds in MSU's win at Portland State. Against NAU, she averaged 6.6 points per game.
THE PRIDE OF ROSEMOUNT: True freshman Taylor Janssen has played in all 12 games, including three starts. She is averaging 16.4 minutes per contest. The Rosemount, Minn., native is averaging 4.5 points per game. 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 12 games. The 6-1 freshman forward from Missoula is averaging 7.8 points and 4.4 rebounds per contest. Deden recorded a season-high 22 points in MSU's win over Northern Arizona on Saturday. For the game, she connected on 10-14 from the field. Deden finished the NAU weekend averaging 15 points and 7.5 rebounds per game, while shooting 66.7% from the floor. In the last five games, Deden has averaged 11.2 points per game. The Deden name is familiar in Montana basketball circles. Deden's mother Dawn (Silliker) Deden played for Montana from 1984-88. At Montana, she was a 1,000-point scorer and was an all-Mountain West Conference pick. In addition, Lexi's aunt and head coach at Sentinel High, Karen Deden, was a standout at Washington and is in the Husky Hall of Fame.
MENTIONING MOCCHI: Junior Gabby Mocchi has played in 11 of MSU's 12 games. The 6-1 forward from Champlin, Minn., saw limited minutes in the early season, but had a breakout performance at Utah Valley with 13 points on Jan. 2. Since that time, Mocchi has averaged 11.1 points per game. She recorded a career-high 18 points at Portland State on Jan. 16, connecting on seven-of-12 from the field.
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 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 14 points in Montana State's win over Northern Arizona, last Saturday. For the game, she went 5-of-7 from the field, including three 3-pointers. Beattie also has familiar Montana basketball pedigree. Her mother, Kelly (Pilcher) Beattie was a two-time All-Big Sky selection for the Lady Griz and is sixth all-time in assists. In addition, her 15 assists vs. Boise State and No. Arizona still rank first in single-game history. Beattie's aunt/coach at Midland Christian Academy, Carla (Beattie) Cunneen, is a former Lady Griz who was the 1996 Big Sky Sixth Player of the Year.
ASHLEY'S ACCOLADES: Junior Ashley Van Sickle matched a season-high five points vs. Northern Arizona on Saturday. For the two-game series with NAU, she averaged 4.0 points, shooting 60% from the floor.
EN FUEGO: Freshman Ava Ranson had a breakout game against Northern Arizona on Thursday, scoring 12 points on 4-5 triples.
WHEN: Thursday, Jan. 28, 2021 @ 5:05 p.m. (MST)
WHERE: Bozeman, Mont. - Worthington Arena (6,772)
RECORDS: Montana St.: 7-5, 4-2; Montana: 7-4, 4-2
SERIES: Montana leads 78-31; Streak: MSU W4
LAST MTG: Feb. 22, 2020 - @ MSU 92, Montana 78
RADIO: Live on KMMS 1450 AM with Mark Martello on the call; pregame begins 15-minutes prior to opening tip.
STREAMING: Montana State's game against Montana on Thursday can be seen on Pluto TV - Channel 1057
TV: Montana State's game against Montana will air live on SWX Montana. Chris Byers, pxp, Alex Eschelman, color.
CAT-GRIZ, PART I: Montana State will host the University of Montana on Thursday, Jan. 28 at 5 p.m., in Worthington Arena. The Bobcats will then travel to Missoula to face the Lady Griz at 12 p.m., on Saturday, Jan. 30 in Dahlberg Arena. The Bobcats have won the last four meetings between the two rivals, as well as nine-of-the-last 11 contests, which include a pair of MSU overtime victories- both in Missoula. Last year's game at UM saw the Bobcats come back from a 14-point second half deficit for the overtime win.
BOBCAT PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Freshman Lexi Deden is the Bobcat Player of the Week for her efforts against Northern Arizona, last weekend. The Missoula product averaged 15 points and 7.5 rebounds per game, while shooting an impressive 66.7% (14-21) from the field. The Sentinel High School grad also chipped in five steals and three assists. She had her best outing on Saturday, guiding the Bobcats to a 90-65 victory over the Lumberjacks. Deden posted a career-high 22 points, connecting on 10-of-14 from the field. She also pulled down seven rebounds and added two assists.
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING: Last week, the Bobcats shot 42.9% (21-49) from long distance, while holding Northern Arizona to just 18.9% (7-37) from beyond the arc.
THE SCOUTING REPORT: Montana - The University of Montana enters Thursday's contest 7-4 overall and 4-2 in Big Sky Conference action. Last week, the Lady Griz swept a home series against Sacramento State, winning on Thursday 90-77, before holding on for a 66-63 decision on Saturday. UM has won four of its last five contests, with the lone loss coming at Northern Arizona (89-76) on Jan. 16. On the season, Montana has three players averaging double-digits. They are led by Carmen Gfeller at 16.5 points per game. She is also shooting an impressive 56.5% from the field. Also in double-figures are Abby Anderson and Sophia Stiles at 12.2 and 11.5 points, respectively. Under the boards, the Lady Griz are paced by senior Madi Schoening, who averages 7.1 rebounds per contest. As a team, Montana shoots 41.6% from the field, 31.4% from beyond the arc, and a league-leading 80.7% from the free throw line. Last weekend, in its two-game series with Sacramento State, Montana was led by Gfeller, a 6-1 sophomore forward from Colfax, Wash. For the weekend, she averaged 20 points and 9.5 rebounds per game, while shooting 60% from the floor and 90.9% from the charity stripe. UM is under the direction of first-year head coach Mike Petrino.
BIG SKY NOTES: Idaho State remains undefeated in league play at 10-0 after sweeping Portland State, last weekend...ISU's games at Southern Utah this week have been canceled...Northern Colorado's Alisha Davis is the Big Sky Player of the Week...Davis averaged 21.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, 2.5 blocks, 2.5 steals, and an assist against Eastern Washington. She also shot 63% from the field, going 15-of-24.
NO PLACE LIKE HOME: Since losing to San Diego on Nov. 24, 2015, Montana State has gone 59-13 (81.9.%) in the Brick Breeden Fieldhouse. In Big Sky Conference action during the same time span, the Bobcats are 41-10 (80.4%) at home.
THE STREAK: With its win over North Dakota on Dec. 6, the Bobcats ran its consecutive winning streak to a school-record 18 games. Montana State started the streak on Jan. 11, 2020 with a 73-62 victory at Portland State. MSU closed out the 2019-20 season with a 76-71 win over Northern Arizona in semifinal action at the Big Sky Tournament on March 11 in Boise, Idaho. The season was halted the next day due to COVID-19. MSU's 18-game win streak was snapped at BYU on Dec. 10. The streak was the third longest in the nation at the time, behind only Oregon (24) and Princeton (22).
PRESEASON ACCOLADES: Montana State sophomore Darian White was named to the preseason all-Big Sky 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, 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 averaged 19 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.5 steals and 2.0 assists.
A LITTLE BIT OF TORI: Tori Martell, a product of Somerset, Wis., moved up the all-time Montana State three-point made chart. Martell has 177 career 3-pointers, which ranks fourth all-time. Ahead of her on MSU's all-time list are Katie Bussey (254), Hannah Caudill (231), and Oliana Squires (184). Martell's career 36.0% shooting from beyond the arc ranks ninth 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 is seventh in the Big Sky averaging 14.5 points per game. She has 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 assists (55), steals (34) and free throws made (54). In addition, White is averaging a team-best 5.6 rebounds per game. She recorded a career-high 11 rebounds at Portland.
ALL JACKED UP: Madison Jackson, who had been sidelined for the past seven games, returned to action against Northern Arizona. Playing limited minutes, she posted four points against NAU on Thursday night on two-of-three from the field. 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.
KUDOS TO KOLA: Sophomore Kola Bad Bear has played and started in all 12 games to date. The 6-2 product of Billings Senior is averaging 5.8 points and 2.8 rebounds per contest. Bad Bear had her best outing of the season at Portland State on Jan. 14 posting a career-high 16 points, connecting on seven-of-10 from the field. She has been in double-digit scoring on three occasions. Bad Bear pulled down a season-best six rebounds at BYU on Dec. 10. On the season, she is fourth on the Bobcat squad shooting 80.8% at the free throw. Bad Bear has converted 21-26 charity tosses. Her 21 makes are second highest on the squad.
EASY PEASY: True-freshman Katelynn Limardo has started all 12 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 5.7 points per game. Limardo had her best game of the season at Utah Valley scoring a team-high 15 points. Against the Wolverines, she connected on 6-of-8 from the field and was three-of-five from long distance. Limardo also chipped in four rebounds, two assists, a steal and a block in the win. On the season, she is averaging 4.3 rebounds per game. Limardo had a season-best eight rebounds in MSU's win at Portland State. Against NAU, she averaged 6.6 points per game.
THE PRIDE OF ROSEMOUNT: True freshman Taylor Janssen has played in all 12 games, including three starts. She is averaging 16.4 minutes per contest. The Rosemount, Minn., native is averaging 4.5 points per game. 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 12 games. The 6-1 freshman forward from Missoula is averaging 7.8 points and 4.4 rebounds per contest. Deden recorded a season-high 22 points in MSU's win over Northern Arizona on Saturday. For the game, she connected on 10-14 from the field. Deden finished the NAU weekend averaging 15 points and 7.5 rebounds per game, while shooting 66.7% from the floor. In the last five games, Deden has averaged 11.2 points per game. The Deden name is familiar in Montana basketball circles. Deden's mother Dawn (Silliker) Deden played for Montana from 1984-88. At Montana, she was a 1,000-point scorer and was an all-Mountain West Conference pick. In addition, Lexi's aunt and head coach at Sentinel High, Karen Deden, was a standout at Washington and is in the Husky Hall of Fame.
MENTIONING MOCCHI: Junior Gabby Mocchi has played in 11 of MSU's 12 games. The 6-1 forward from Champlin, Minn., saw limited minutes in the early season, but had a breakout performance at Utah Valley with 13 points on Jan. 2. Since that time, Mocchi has averaged 11.1 points per game. She recorded a career-high 18 points at Portland State on Jan. 16, connecting on seven-of-12 from the field.
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 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 14 points in Montana State's win over Northern Arizona, last Saturday. For the game, she went 5-of-7 from the field, including three 3-pointers. Beattie also has familiar Montana basketball pedigree. Her mother, Kelly (Pilcher) Beattie was a two-time All-Big Sky selection for the Lady Griz and is sixth all-time in assists. In addition, her 15 assists vs. Boise State and No. Arizona still rank first in single-game history. Beattie's aunt/coach at Midland Christian Academy, Carla (Beattie) Cunneen, is a former Lady Griz who was the 1996 Big Sky Sixth Player of the Year.
ASHLEY'S ACCOLADES: Junior Ashley Van Sickle matched a season-high five points vs. Northern Arizona on Saturday. For the two-game series with NAU, she averaged 4.0 points, shooting 60% from the floor.
EN FUEGO: Freshman Ava Ranson had a breakout game against Northern Arizona on Thursday, scoring 12 points on 4-5 triples.
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