Saturday, January 1
Pocatello, ID
2 p.m.
Montana State University
at
Idaho State
Photo by: MSU/Kelly Gorham
Bobcats Look for Bounce Back Against Bengals
12/31/2021 1:48:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Montana State will conclude weekend play making the trek up I-15 from Ogden, Utah to face Idaho State on Saturday in Pocatello. Tip is scheduled for 2 p.m. at Reed Gym.
WHO: Montana State at Idaho State
WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022 at 2 p.m.
WHERE: Pocatello, Idaho - Reed Gym
RECORDS: Montana State 7-7, 2-1; Idaho State 6-6, 2-1
SERIES: MSU leads all-time series 47-38 (1977)
LAST MTG: Feb. 20, 2021 - @ MSU 88, Idaho State 80 – OT
VIDEO: Montana State's game at Idaho State will be streamed live on ESPN+ (subscription needed).
RADIO: Montana State's game at Idaho State airs live 15 minutes prior to tip on 103.5 KZMY FM - Mark Martello (P-B-P).
NEXT UP: Montana State will conclude weekend play making the trek up I-15 from Ogden, Utah to face Idaho State on Saturday in Pocatello. Tip is scheduled for 2 p.m. at Reed Gym. On Thursday night in Reed Gym, the Bengals defeated Montana 69-61 as four players hit double figures for ISU. Estefania Ors paced Idaho State with 15 points.
BOBCAT BITES: Darian White posted a career-high 29 points as the Bobcats fell to Weber State 68-63 on Thursday in Ogden. White finished the contest connecting on 11 of 22 from the field. She also added six rebounds, five steals and three assists. 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 IDAHO STATE: Idaho State enters Saturday's contest 6-6 overall and 2-1 in Big Sky action. Then Bengals knocked off Montana 69-61 on Thursday as four ISU players hit double figures led by Estefania Ors with 15. Also in double digits were Tomekia Whitman 13, Diaba Konate 12, and Montana Oltrogge 11. The Bengals played without the services of All-Big Sky guard Dora Goles. Idaho State, who was picked to finish first in both the preseason coaches and media polls, stumbled out of the starting blocks this fall, posting 1-5 mark, before righting the ship and going 5-1 since the beginning of December, with its lone loss an 81-74 overtime decision at Northern Arizona. On the season, Ors leads ISU averaging 10.7 points per game. She is also first on the team with 14 3-pointers. Under the boards, Callie Bourne guides the Bengals with a team-best 7.6 rpg.
I DARE YA: Darian White, a preseason All-Big Sky Conference selection, leads the Bobcats in scoring (16.2 ppg), assists (61), steals (41) and free throws made (56). She has been in double figure scoring in all 14 games, including a career-high 29 points at Weber State on Thursday night. Against the Wildcats, the Boise, Idaho product connected on 11 of 22 from the field (with two 3-pointers) and five of five from the line. In addition, she pulled down six rebounds, five steals and three assists. 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's broken into several career MSU Top 10 statistical categories this season: including steals, 9th, 182; free throws made, 9th, 266; and free throw percentage, 10th, 78.0%. White is currently averaging 2.9 steals per game, which is second in the Big Sky, while her 4.4 assists per outing ranks fourth in the league. She is also closing in on becoming the 26th Bobcat to reach the 1,000-point scored milestone. She currently sits at 971 points.
KUDOS TO KOLA: Junior Kola Bad Bear has played in all 14 games, including 12 starts. On the season, the 6-2 forward is averaging 9.4 points and 5.4 rebounds per contest. Her 5.4 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 Weber State on Thursday night, she registered eight points and two rebounds.
OUT ON A LIMB: Sophomore Katelynn Limardo has started the last 13 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 8.4 points and 4.0 rebounds per outing. In addition, Limardo is shooting 40.4% from the field and 85% (17-20) 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 Weber State on Thursday, she notched three points and pulled down eight rebounds. 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 14 games for the Bobcats, including 12 starts. She currently is averaging 8.4 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 11 games, including starts in the last four outings. The 6-1 senior from Champlin, Minn., recorded a season-high 15 points and pulled down six rebounds in MSU's loss at Weber State on Thursday night. Mocchi is averaging 5.0 points and 3.2 rebounds per game. Against the Wildcats, Mocchi went 4 of 4 from the free throw line, and connected on three 3-pointers. In her last six outings, the 6-1 senior from Champlin, Minn., has averaged 8.5 points per game. Against #19 BYU on Dec. 21, she totaled seven points and two rebounds. On the season, she is shooting 93.3% (14-15) 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 3.6 boards per game. In addition, she is fifth on the squad averaging 5.6 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. On Thursday against Weber State, Deden saw 14 minutes of action and recorded four points, while pulling down three 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 14 games this season and is averaging 3.1 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 on Dec. 21, 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 14 games and is averaging 4.3 points and 2.3 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 on Dec. 21.
RANSON NOTE: Sophomore Ava Ranson has played in 12 games and is averaging 2.0 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: Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022 at 2 p.m.
WHERE: Pocatello, Idaho - Reed Gym
RECORDS: Montana State 7-7, 2-1; Idaho State 6-6, 2-1
SERIES: MSU leads all-time series 47-38 (1977)
LAST MTG: Feb. 20, 2021 - @ MSU 88, Idaho State 80 – OT
VIDEO: Montana State's game at Idaho State will be streamed live on ESPN+ (subscription needed).
RADIO: Montana State's game at Idaho State airs live 15 minutes prior to tip on 103.5 KZMY FM - Mark Martello (P-B-P).
NEXT UP: Montana State will conclude weekend play making the trek up I-15 from Ogden, Utah to face Idaho State on Saturday in Pocatello. Tip is scheduled for 2 p.m. at Reed Gym. On Thursday night in Reed Gym, the Bengals defeated Montana 69-61 as four players hit double figures for ISU. Estefania Ors paced Idaho State with 15 points.
BOBCAT BITES: Darian White posted a career-high 29 points as the Bobcats fell to Weber State 68-63 on Thursday in Ogden. White finished the contest connecting on 11 of 22 from the field. She also added six rebounds, five steals and three assists. 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 IDAHO STATE: Idaho State enters Saturday's contest 6-6 overall and 2-1 in Big Sky action. Then Bengals knocked off Montana 69-61 on Thursday as four ISU players hit double figures led by Estefania Ors with 15. Also in double digits were Tomekia Whitman 13, Diaba Konate 12, and Montana Oltrogge 11. The Bengals played without the services of All-Big Sky guard Dora Goles. Idaho State, who was picked to finish first in both the preseason coaches and media polls, stumbled out of the starting blocks this fall, posting 1-5 mark, before righting the ship and going 5-1 since the beginning of December, with its lone loss an 81-74 overtime decision at Northern Arizona. On the season, Ors leads ISU averaging 10.7 points per game. She is also first on the team with 14 3-pointers. Under the boards, Callie Bourne guides the Bengals with a team-best 7.6 rpg.
I DARE YA: Darian White, a preseason All-Big Sky Conference selection, leads the Bobcats in scoring (16.2 ppg), assists (61), steals (41) and free throws made (56). She has been in double figure scoring in all 14 games, including a career-high 29 points at Weber State on Thursday night. Against the Wildcats, the Boise, Idaho product connected on 11 of 22 from the field (with two 3-pointers) and five of five from the line. In addition, she pulled down six rebounds, five steals and three assists. 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's broken into several career MSU Top 10 statistical categories this season: including steals, 9th, 182; free throws made, 9th, 266; and free throw percentage, 10th, 78.0%. White is currently averaging 2.9 steals per game, which is second in the Big Sky, while her 4.4 assists per outing ranks fourth in the league. She is also closing in on becoming the 26th Bobcat to reach the 1,000-point scored milestone. She currently sits at 971 points.
KUDOS TO KOLA: Junior Kola Bad Bear has played in all 14 games, including 12 starts. On the season, the 6-2 forward is averaging 9.4 points and 5.4 rebounds per contest. Her 5.4 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 Weber State on Thursday night, she registered eight points and two rebounds.
OUT ON A LIMB: Sophomore Katelynn Limardo has started the last 13 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 8.4 points and 4.0 rebounds per outing. In addition, Limardo is shooting 40.4% from the field and 85% (17-20) 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 Weber State on Thursday, she notched three points and pulled down eight rebounds. 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 14 games for the Bobcats, including 12 starts. She currently is averaging 8.4 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 11 games, including starts in the last four outings. The 6-1 senior from Champlin, Minn., recorded a season-high 15 points and pulled down six rebounds in MSU's loss at Weber State on Thursday night. Mocchi is averaging 5.0 points and 3.2 rebounds per game. Against the Wildcats, Mocchi went 4 of 4 from the free throw line, and connected on three 3-pointers. In her last six outings, the 6-1 senior from Champlin, Minn., has averaged 8.5 points per game. Against #19 BYU on Dec. 21, she totaled seven points and two rebounds. On the season, she is shooting 93.3% (14-15) 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 3.6 boards per game. In addition, she is fifth on the squad averaging 5.6 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. On Thursday against Weber State, Deden saw 14 minutes of action and recorded four points, while pulling down three 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 14 games this season and is averaging 3.1 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 on Dec. 21, 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 14 games and is averaging 4.3 points and 2.3 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 on Dec. 21.
RANSON NOTE: Sophomore Ava Ranson has played in 12 games and is averaging 2.0 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
F
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
C
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's Basketball
F/C
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's BasketballBobcat 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
