
Darian White
Bobcats Resume Big Sky Play
12/29/2021 1:22:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Montana State will resume Big Sky Conference play when it visits Weber State on Thursday in Ogden, Utah.
WHO: Montana State at Weber State
WHEN: Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021 at 6 p.m.
WHERE: Ogden, Utah - Dee Events Center
RECORDS: Montana State 7-6, 2-0; Weber State 5-6, 1-1
SERIES: MSU leads all-time series 56-32 (1977)
LAST MTG: Feb. 6, 2021 - @ MSU 84, Weber State 57
WHO: Montana State at Idaho State
WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022 at 2 p.m.
WHERE: Pocatello, Idaho - Reed Gym
RECORDS: Montana State 7-6, 2-0; Idaho State 5-6, 1-1
SERIES: MSU leads all-time series 47-38 (1977)
LAST MTG: Feb. 20, 2021 - @ MSU 88, Idaho State 80 – OT
VIDEO: Montana State's games at Weber State and Idaho State will be streamed live on ESPN+ (subscription needed).
RADIO: Montana State's games at WSU/ISU airs live 15 minutes prior to tip on 103.5 KZMY FM - Mark Martello (P-B-P).
NEXT UP: Montana State will resume Big Sky Conference play when it visits Weber State on Thursday in Ogden, Utah. Tip is slated for 6 p.m. at the Dee Events Center. The Bobcats will conclude weekend play making the trek up I-15 to face Idaho State on Saturday in Pocatello. Tip is scheduled for 2 p.m. at Reed Gym.
BOBCAT BITES: Darian White paced MSU in its final non-conference on Dec. 21 in Worthington Arena. Despite an 89-67 setback to No. 19 BYU, White notched her second double-double with a team-best 13 points and 10 rebounds. Ellen Kreighbaum Women's Head Basketball Coach Tricia Binford has posted 277 victories in 17 seasons at MSU. The mark is the most for an active coach in Big Sky play and tied for third all-time behind Montana's Robin Selvig (865) and Weber State's Carla Taylor (308).
ABOUT WEBER STATE: Weber State, who was picked to finish at the bottom of the Big Sky standings in the preseason coaches and media polls, have proved the pundits wrong in the non-conference season recording a 5-6 overall mark and a 1-1 league ledger. The Wildcats opened December splitting a pair of Big Sky contests on the road, losing at Northern Arizona, 83-79, before rebounding with an 85-57 decision at Portland State. Non-conference victories included wins over North Dakota, Omaha, Tarleton State and New Mexico State. WSU has been paced this season by four players averaging double figures. Jadyn Matthews leads the contingent at 13.3 ppg, while Daryn Hickock (12.9 ppg), Kori Pentzer (11.2 ppg) and Emma Torbert (11.1 ppg) chip into Weber State's efficient offensive attack. Matthews also leads the Wildcats under the boards, averaging a team-best 8.9 rpg.
I DARE YA: Darian White, a preseason All-Big Sky Conference selection, leads the Bobcats in scoring (15.2 ppg), assists (58), steals (36) and free throws made (51). She has been in double figure scoring in all 13 games, including a season-best 22 points against MSU Billings on Dec. 9. Against Seattle U, the Boise, Idaho product tallied 21 points, three rebounds, four assists and six steals, while shooting 8 of 17 from the field and 4 of 5 from the free throw line. At North Dakota on Nov. 20, White recorded a career-high seven steals. The reigning Big Sky Conference Defensive Player of the Year pulled down a career-high 12 rebounds against Montana State Billings on Dec. 9. White is currently two steals shy of breaking into MSU's top 10 all-time steals chart. She is currently averaging 2.8 steals per game, which is second in the Big Sky, while her 4.5 assists per outing ranks fourth in the league.
Against #19 BYU last Tuesday, White notched her second double-double of the season with 13 points and 10 rebounds.
KUDOS TO KOLA: Junior Kola Bad Bear has played in all 13 games, including eleven starts. On the season, the 6-2 forward is averaging 9.5 points and 5.6 rebounds per contest. Her 5.6 rebounds leads the teams and ranks No. 20 in Big Sky action. Bad Bear had a breakout weekend for the Bobcats at the Holiday Beach Classic in San Luis Obispo over Thanksgiving averaging 13.5 points and 7.0 rebounds, while shooting 61.1% from the field. Against Seattle U on Dec. 18, she posted her fourth straight double figure game with 11 points, while pulling down seven rebounds. Bad Bear was named Big Sky Player of the Week for her efforts against MSU Billings and Utah Valley. For the two games, she averaged 19 points and 10.5 rebounds per game, while shooting 61.9% from the field and 84.6% from the line. Bad Bear pulled down a career-best 17 rebounds in MSU's win over MSU Billings. Her 13 offensive boards against the Yellowjackets are unofficially the highest total in NCAA Division 1 hoops this season. Bad Bear also notched a career-best 21 points in MSU's win over MSUB. Against #19 BYU last Tuesday, Bad Bear recorded 10 points and five rebounds.
OUT ON A LIMB: Sophomore Katelynn Limardo has started the last 12 games for the Bobcats, after opening the season with 16 points and seven rebounds against Carroll College coming off the bench. The 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 8.8 points and 3.7 rebounds per outing. In addition, Limardo is shooting 41.6% from the field and a team-best 94.1% (16-17) from the line. Against Seattle U on Dec. 18, Limardo recorded her seventh double figure scoring game of the season with 12 points - all coming from beyond the arc. Additionally, she posted a career-high five assists and four steals against the Redhawks. Against #19 BYU last Tuesday, she notched six points on two 3-pointers. Over Thanksgiving, Limardo's three 3-pointers in the fourth quarter against Cal Poly lifted MSU to the win. Last winter, she started in all 24 games and averaged 6.6 points and 4.5 rebounds. Limardo had her best game of the 2020-21 season at Eastern Washington on Feb. 13, scoring a team-high 17 points. Against EWU, she connected on 6-6 from the field and was 5-5 from long distance.
DON'T MESS WITH TEXAS: Leia Beattie has played in all 13 games for the Bobcats, including eleven starts. She currently is averaging 8.8 points and 3.6 rebounds per contest. Beattie had a career outing in MSU's win over Sacramento State on Dec. 4 scoring 18 points, while pulling down eight rebounds. Coupled with her play against Northern Colorado to open the Big Sky, she garnered ROAR Organic #BigSkyWBB Player of the Week accolades after averaging 14.5 points. 6.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.5 steals per game. Beattie comes to Montana State with a familiar Treasure State pedigree. Her mother, Kelly (Pilcher) was a two-time All-Big Sky selection at Montana and is sixth all-time in assists. In addition, her 15 assists versus Boise State and Northern Arizona still rank first in single-game history. Beattie's aunt/coach at Midland Christian Academy, Carla (Beattie) Cunneen, is also a former Lady Griz and was the 1996 Big Sky Sixth Player of the Year. Last season, Beattie played in 23-of-24 games and averaged 3.7 points per game. Against #19 BYU last Tuesday, Beattie logged seven points and pulled down two rebounds. She also dished out a season-high three assists.
THE TALK: Senior Gabby Mocchi has played in ten games, including starts in the last three outings. The 6-1 senior from Champlin, Minn., recorded a season-high nine points and pulled down a season-best nine rebounds in MSU's win over Seattle U on Dec. 8. Mocchi is averaging 4.0 points and 2.9 rebounds per game. Against the Redhawks, Mocchi went 5 of 5 from the free throw line. In her last five outings, the 6-1 senior from Champlin, Minn., has averaged 7.2 points per game. Last Tuesday against #19 BYU, she totaled seven points and two rebounds. On the season, she is shooting 90.9% at the stripe. Mocchi recorded a career-best 18 points at Portland State last winter.
KEEP FEEDIN' DEDEN: Lexi Deden, a 6-1 sophomore forward from Missoula, is third on the Bobcats in rebounding averaging 3.7 boards per game. In addition, she is fifth on the squad averaging 5.8 points per contest. Deden had her best outing of the season at North Dakota on Nov. 20. Against the Fighting Hawks, she recorded her first collegiate double-double with 17 points and a career-best ten rebounds. For the game, she went four-of-nine from the field and was nine-of-ten at the charity stripe. Last Tuesday against #19 BYU, Deden saw seven minutes of action and recorded four points, while pulling down two rebounds. The Deden name is also familiar in Montana basketball circles. Deden's mother Dawn (Silliker) played at Montana from 1984-88. At UM, Silliker was a 1,000-point scorer and was an all-Mountain West pick. In addition, Lexi's aunt and former head coach at Sentinel High, Karen Deden, was a standout at Washington and is in the Husky Hall of Fame. Last season, Deden recorded a career-high 22 points in Montana State's win over Northern Arizona on Jan. 23 when she connected on 10 of 14 from the field.
ASHLEY'S ACCOLADES: Senior Ashley Van Sickle has played in all 13 games this season and is averaging 3.3 points and 2.3 rebounds per game. The Arvada, Colo., product posted a season-best eight points in MSU's season-opening victory over Carroll College. She also recorded three rebounds, an assist and steal against the Saints. Against #19 BYU last Tuesday, Van Sickle registered five points, including one triple. She also matched a career-high pulling down five rebounds against the Cougars and dished out three assists.
THE PRIDE OF ROSEMOUNT: Sophomore Taylor Janssen has played in all 13 games and is averaging 4.5 points and 2.2 rebounds per outing. Against Seattle U on Dec. 18, the 6-3 product of Rosemount, Minn., recorded seven points and pulled down a career-best seven rebounds. Janssen notched a season-best 11 points, going 5 of 8 from the field with one 3-pointer against #19 BYU, last Tuesday. In her last six outings, she's averaged 5.4 points per game.
RANSON NOTE: Sophomore Ava Ranson has played in 11 games and is averaging 2.2 points per contest. The 5-10 product of Boise, Idaho had her best game at South Dakota State. Against the Jackrabbits, Ranson recorded eight points on three-on-nine from the field, including a pair of three-pointers.
ALL JACKED UP: Junior Madison Jackson has played in five games, including starting the two contests in the Dakotas. Jackson had her best performance against North Dakota recording six points. She also had two steals, and an offensive board. Last season, the native of Parma, Idaho had her best game as the Bobcats defeated Idaho State in Worthington Arena. Against the Bengals, Jackson notched a career-high 20 points, including 13 in the first half. For the game, she connected on 6-of-9 from the field, including three 3-pointers.
MENTIONING MIA: Freshman Mia Hughes has played in nine games, including three starts. The product of Woodinville, Wash., is averaging 2.7 points and 2.7 rebounds per contest. She had her best outing of the season at North Dakota with seven points and six rebounds- all points came at the free throw line where she went seven-of-eight. Hughes is currently hitting at a 93.3% (14-15) clip from the line.
RARE AIR: Freshman Lindsey Hein is the tallest (6-6) player to ever wear the Blue and Gold. The Forsyth, Mont., native has played in all seven games, including two starts. In the season-opener against Carroll College, she came off the bench to score a game-high 16 points, while pulling down seven rebounds. Hein is first on the team shooting 57.1% from the field. She is averaging 4.0 points and 2.1 rebounds per game.
WHEN: Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021 at 6 p.m.
WHERE: Ogden, Utah - Dee Events Center
RECORDS: Montana State 7-6, 2-0; Weber State 5-6, 1-1
SERIES: MSU leads all-time series 56-32 (1977)
LAST MTG: Feb. 6, 2021 - @ MSU 84, Weber State 57
WHO: Montana State at Idaho State
WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022 at 2 p.m.
WHERE: Pocatello, Idaho - Reed Gym
RECORDS: Montana State 7-6, 2-0; Idaho State 5-6, 1-1
SERIES: MSU leads all-time series 47-38 (1977)
LAST MTG: Feb. 20, 2021 - @ MSU 88, Idaho State 80 – OT
VIDEO: Montana State's games at Weber State and Idaho State will be streamed live on ESPN+ (subscription needed).
RADIO: Montana State's games at WSU/ISU airs live 15 minutes prior to tip on 103.5 KZMY FM - Mark Martello (P-B-P).
NEXT UP: Montana State will resume Big Sky Conference play when it visits Weber State on Thursday in Ogden, Utah. Tip is slated for 6 p.m. at the Dee Events Center. The Bobcats will conclude weekend play making the trek up I-15 to face Idaho State on Saturday in Pocatello. Tip is scheduled for 2 p.m. at Reed Gym.
BOBCAT BITES: Darian White paced MSU in its final non-conference on Dec. 21 in Worthington Arena. Despite an 89-67 setback to No. 19 BYU, White notched her second double-double with a team-best 13 points and 10 rebounds. Ellen Kreighbaum Women's Head Basketball Coach Tricia Binford has posted 277 victories in 17 seasons at MSU. The mark is the most for an active coach in Big Sky play and tied for third all-time behind Montana's Robin Selvig (865) and Weber State's Carla Taylor (308).
ABOUT WEBER STATE: Weber State, who was picked to finish at the bottom of the Big Sky standings in the preseason coaches and media polls, have proved the pundits wrong in the non-conference season recording a 5-6 overall mark and a 1-1 league ledger. The Wildcats opened December splitting a pair of Big Sky contests on the road, losing at Northern Arizona, 83-79, before rebounding with an 85-57 decision at Portland State. Non-conference victories included wins over North Dakota, Omaha, Tarleton State and New Mexico State. WSU has been paced this season by four players averaging double figures. Jadyn Matthews leads the contingent at 13.3 ppg, while Daryn Hickock (12.9 ppg), Kori Pentzer (11.2 ppg) and Emma Torbert (11.1 ppg) chip into Weber State's efficient offensive attack. Matthews also leads the Wildcats under the boards, averaging a team-best 8.9 rpg.
I DARE YA: Darian White, a preseason All-Big Sky Conference selection, leads the Bobcats in scoring (15.2 ppg), assists (58), steals (36) and free throws made (51). She has been in double figure scoring in all 13 games, including a season-best 22 points against MSU Billings on Dec. 9. Against Seattle U, the Boise, Idaho product tallied 21 points, three rebounds, four assists and six steals, while shooting 8 of 17 from the field and 4 of 5 from the free throw line. At North Dakota on Nov. 20, White recorded a career-high seven steals. The reigning Big Sky Conference Defensive Player of the Year pulled down a career-high 12 rebounds against Montana State Billings on Dec. 9. White is currently two steals shy of breaking into MSU's top 10 all-time steals chart. She is currently averaging 2.8 steals per game, which is second in the Big Sky, while her 4.5 assists per outing ranks fourth in the league.
Against #19 BYU last Tuesday, White notched her second double-double of the season with 13 points and 10 rebounds.
KUDOS TO KOLA: Junior Kola Bad Bear has played in all 13 games, including eleven starts. On the season, the 6-2 forward is averaging 9.5 points and 5.6 rebounds per contest. Her 5.6 rebounds leads the teams and ranks No. 20 in Big Sky action. Bad Bear had a breakout weekend for the Bobcats at the Holiday Beach Classic in San Luis Obispo over Thanksgiving averaging 13.5 points and 7.0 rebounds, while shooting 61.1% from the field. Against Seattle U on Dec. 18, she posted her fourth straight double figure game with 11 points, while pulling down seven rebounds. Bad Bear was named Big Sky Player of the Week for her efforts against MSU Billings and Utah Valley. For the two games, she averaged 19 points and 10.5 rebounds per game, while shooting 61.9% from the field and 84.6% from the line. Bad Bear pulled down a career-best 17 rebounds in MSU's win over MSU Billings. Her 13 offensive boards against the Yellowjackets are unofficially the highest total in NCAA Division 1 hoops this season. Bad Bear also notched a career-best 21 points in MSU's win over MSUB. Against #19 BYU last Tuesday, Bad Bear recorded 10 points and five rebounds.
OUT ON A LIMB: Sophomore Katelynn Limardo has started the last 12 games for the Bobcats, after opening the season with 16 points and seven rebounds against Carroll College coming off the bench. The 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 8.8 points and 3.7 rebounds per outing. In addition, Limardo is shooting 41.6% from the field and a team-best 94.1% (16-17) from the line. Against Seattle U on Dec. 18, Limardo recorded her seventh double figure scoring game of the season with 12 points - all coming from beyond the arc. Additionally, she posted a career-high five assists and four steals against the Redhawks. Against #19 BYU last Tuesday, she notched six points on two 3-pointers. Over Thanksgiving, Limardo's three 3-pointers in the fourth quarter against Cal Poly lifted MSU to the win. Last winter, she started in all 24 games and averaged 6.6 points and 4.5 rebounds. Limardo had her best game of the 2020-21 season at Eastern Washington on Feb. 13, scoring a team-high 17 points. Against EWU, she connected on 6-6 from the field and was 5-5 from long distance.
DON'T MESS WITH TEXAS: Leia Beattie has played in all 13 games for the Bobcats, including eleven starts. She currently is averaging 8.8 points and 3.6 rebounds per contest. Beattie had a career outing in MSU's win over Sacramento State on Dec. 4 scoring 18 points, while pulling down eight rebounds. Coupled with her play against Northern Colorado to open the Big Sky, she garnered ROAR Organic #BigSkyWBB Player of the Week accolades after averaging 14.5 points. 6.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.5 steals per game. Beattie comes to Montana State with a familiar Treasure State pedigree. Her mother, Kelly (Pilcher) was a two-time All-Big Sky selection at Montana and is sixth all-time in assists. In addition, her 15 assists versus Boise State and Northern Arizona still rank first in single-game history. Beattie's aunt/coach at Midland Christian Academy, Carla (Beattie) Cunneen, is also a former Lady Griz and was the 1996 Big Sky Sixth Player of the Year. Last season, Beattie played in 23-of-24 games and averaged 3.7 points per game. Against #19 BYU last Tuesday, Beattie logged seven points and pulled down two rebounds. She also dished out a season-high three assists.
THE TALK: Senior Gabby Mocchi has played in ten games, including starts in the last three outings. The 6-1 senior from Champlin, Minn., recorded a season-high nine points and pulled down a season-best nine rebounds in MSU's win over Seattle U on Dec. 8. Mocchi is averaging 4.0 points and 2.9 rebounds per game. Against the Redhawks, Mocchi went 5 of 5 from the free throw line. In her last five outings, the 6-1 senior from Champlin, Minn., has averaged 7.2 points per game. Last Tuesday against #19 BYU, she totaled seven points and two rebounds. On the season, she is shooting 90.9% at the stripe. Mocchi recorded a career-best 18 points at Portland State last winter.
KEEP FEEDIN' DEDEN: Lexi Deden, a 6-1 sophomore forward from Missoula, is third on the Bobcats in rebounding averaging 3.7 boards per game. In addition, she is fifth on the squad averaging 5.8 points per contest. Deden had her best outing of the season at North Dakota on Nov. 20. Against the Fighting Hawks, she recorded her first collegiate double-double with 17 points and a career-best ten rebounds. For the game, she went four-of-nine from the field and was nine-of-ten at the charity stripe. Last Tuesday against #19 BYU, Deden saw seven minutes of action and recorded four points, while pulling down two rebounds. The Deden name is also familiar in Montana basketball circles. Deden's mother Dawn (Silliker) played at Montana from 1984-88. At UM, Silliker was a 1,000-point scorer and was an all-Mountain West pick. In addition, Lexi's aunt and former head coach at Sentinel High, Karen Deden, was a standout at Washington and is in the Husky Hall of Fame. Last season, Deden recorded a career-high 22 points in Montana State's win over Northern Arizona on Jan. 23 when she connected on 10 of 14 from the field.
ASHLEY'S ACCOLADES: Senior Ashley Van Sickle has played in all 13 games this season and is averaging 3.3 points and 2.3 rebounds per game. The Arvada, Colo., product posted a season-best eight points in MSU's season-opening victory over Carroll College. She also recorded three rebounds, an assist and steal against the Saints. Against #19 BYU last Tuesday, Van Sickle registered five points, including one triple. She also matched a career-high pulling down five rebounds against the Cougars and dished out three assists.
THE PRIDE OF ROSEMOUNT: Sophomore Taylor Janssen has played in all 13 games and is averaging 4.5 points and 2.2 rebounds per outing. Against Seattle U on Dec. 18, the 6-3 product of Rosemount, Minn., recorded seven points and pulled down a career-best seven rebounds. Janssen notched a season-best 11 points, going 5 of 8 from the field with one 3-pointer against #19 BYU, last Tuesday. In her last six outings, she's averaged 5.4 points per game.
RANSON NOTE: Sophomore Ava Ranson has played in 11 games and is averaging 2.2 points per contest. The 5-10 product of Boise, Idaho had her best game at South Dakota State. Against the Jackrabbits, Ranson recorded eight points on three-on-nine from the field, including a pair of three-pointers.
ALL JACKED UP: Junior Madison Jackson has played in five games, including starting the two contests in the Dakotas. Jackson had her best performance against North Dakota recording six points. She also had two steals, and an offensive board. Last season, the native of Parma, Idaho had her best game as the Bobcats defeated Idaho State in Worthington Arena. Against the Bengals, Jackson notched a career-high 20 points, including 13 in the first half. For the game, she connected on 6-of-9 from the field, including three 3-pointers.
MENTIONING MIA: Freshman Mia Hughes has played in nine games, including three starts. The product of Woodinville, Wash., is averaging 2.7 points and 2.7 rebounds per contest. She had her best outing of the season at North Dakota with seven points and six rebounds- all points came at the free throw line where she went seven-of-eight. Hughes is currently hitting at a 93.3% (14-15) clip from the line.
RARE AIR: Freshman Lindsey Hein is the tallest (6-6) player to ever wear the Blue and Gold. The Forsyth, Mont., native has played in all seven games, including two starts. In the season-opener against Carroll College, she came off the bench to score a game-high 16 points, while pulling down seven rebounds. Hein is first on the team shooting 57.1% from the field. She is averaging 4.0 points and 2.1 rebounds per game.
Players Mentioned
Bobcat Insider TV Show
Wednesday, January 26
vs. Seattle (Live Stream Video)
Saturday, December 18
Inside The Brick (Lexi Deden)
Thursday, November 04
Inside The Brick (Leia Beattie)
Tuesday, November 02