Wednesday, March 3
Sacramento, CA
6 p.m. (MT)
Montana State University
at
Sacramento State
Bobcats Finish Regular-Season at Sacramento State
3/2/2021 1:59:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Montana State will conclude its regular-season with a two-game series at Sacramento State, beginning Wednesday, March 3 at 6 p.m. (MT) in The Nest.
WHO: Montana State at Sacramento State
WHEN: Wednesday, March 3, 2021 @ 6:05 p.m. (MST)
WHERE: Sacramento, Calif. - The Nest
RECORDS: Montana State: 14-6, 11-3; Sac St.: 2-19, 2-16
SERIES: Montana State leads 36-12; Streak: MSU W4
LAST MTG: Feb. 27. 2020 - @Montana St. 113, Sac St. 69
RADIO: Live on 1450 KMMS AM with Mark Martello on the call; pregame begins 15-minutes prior to opening tip.
VIDEO: Montana State's game at Sacramento State on Wednesday and Friday can be seen on Pluto TV - channel 1052
REGULAR-SEASON FINALE`: The Bobcats- winners of nine of its last ten games- are in a battle for seeding and a possible Big Sky Conference regular-season title. Montana State will conclude its regular-season with a two-game series at Sacramento State, beginning Wednesday, March 3 at 6 p.m. (MT) in The Nest. The Bobcats and Hornets will play their second contest on Friday, March 5 at 1 p.m. (MT). Big Sky Conference women's basketball games for the final week of play are moved up a day to accommodate the start of the Big Sky Conference Women's Tournament, beginning Monday, March 8 in Boise, Idaho.
BOBCAT PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Senior Tori Martell averaged 12 points and three rebounds as the Bobcats split with Big Sky Conference-leading Idaho State. Feb. 18 & 20. Martell was held in check at Idaho State, posting four points, but she exploded late in the game in Worthington Arena, including the three-point shot heard around the world with .06-seconds left. She then scored nine points in overtime to guide MSU to the victory. In all, she recorded 20 points, four rebounds, four assists and two steals against ISU.
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING: In its overtime win against Idaho State, the Bobcats caught fire at the right time. In the OT period MSU shot 83.3% (5-6) from the field.
THE SCOUTING REPORT: Sacramento State - The Hornets enter this week's two-game series 2-19 overall and 2-16 in Big Sky Conference action. Last weekend, Sacramento State dropped a pair of games at Weber State, losing on Thursday 79-73, before suffering a 75-69 overtime setback on Saturday afternoon. For the two-game series, the Hornets were paced by Jordan Olivares and Tiana Johnson. Olivares averaged 17 points per game, while Johnson chipped in 13 points and 6.5 rebounds. On the season, Sacramento State has been led by Summer Menke, who averages 13.8 points and 7.8 rebounds per game. Also in double-figure scoring is Johnson at 12.4 points and 7.1 rebounds per outing. Sac's long ball threat comes from Sarah Abney, who has connected on 33-133 triples.
NO PLACE LIKE HOME: Since losing to San Diego on Nov. 24, 2015, Montana State has gone 63-13 (82.9.%) in the Brick Breeden Fieldhouse. In Big Sky Conference action during the same time span, the Bobcats are 45-10 (81.8%) 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 195 career 3-pointers, which ranks third all-time. Ahead of her on MSU's all-time list are Katie Bussey (254), and Hannah Caudill (231). Martell's career 36.7% shooting from beyond the arc ranks eighth all-time at Montana State. Her 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 fourth most in the nation this season. She is currently second on the team in scoring, averaging 12.3 points per game. Martell has been in double-digit scoring on 12 occasions this season, including a career-best 26 points against North Dakota. Last weekend vs. ISU, she averaged 12.0 ppg.
DARE TO BE: Darian White, a preseason All-Big Sky Conference selection leads the Bobcats and is fifth in the Big Sky averaging 14.6 points per game. She's 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 (74), steals (57) and free throws made (87). In addition, White is averaging a team-best 5.2 rebounds per game. She recorded a career-high 11 rebounds at Portland. Feb. 11, she flirted with a triple-double- scoring 16 points, hauling down 10 boards and adding a career-best seven steals. Last week vs. ISU, White averaged 14 points, 3.5 steals, 3.0 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game.
ALL JACKED UP: Madison Jackson, who was sidelined for seven games during the early season, returned to action on Jan. 21. The Parma, Idaho product has seen her minutes increase since her return. Last weekend against Idaho State, she averaged 11 points and 4.5 rebounds per game, while shooting 63.6% from the field. Jackson notched a career-high 20 points in MSU overtime win against Idaho State on Saturday afternoon, including 13 points in the first half. For the game, she connected on 6-of-9 from the field, including three 3-pointers.
KUDOS TO KOLA: Sophomore Kola Bad Bear has played and started in all 20 games to date. The 6-2 product of Billings Senior is averaging 5.8 points and 3.3 rebounds per contest. Bad Bear had her best outing of the season at Portland State on Jan. 14 posting a career-high 16 points. She has been in double-digit scoring on four occasions, including 14 points vs. Idaho State on Saturday. Bad Bear matched a career-high with nine boards vs. ISU on Saturday. On the season, she is fifth on the Bobcat squad shooting 78.6% at the free throw. Bad Bear has converted 33-42 charity tosses.
EASY PEASY: True-freshman Katelynn Limardo has started all 20 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 6.3 points per game. Limardo had her best game of the 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. Limardo also chipped in three rebounds, an assist and a steal. On the season, she's averaging 4.2 rebounds per game. Limardo had a season-best eight rebounds in MSU's win at Portland State. Last week, she averaged 4,0 points per game.
THE PRIDE OF ROSEMOUNT: True freshman Taylor Janssen has played in all 20 games, including three starts. She is averaging 14.7 minutes per contest. The Rosemount, Minn., native is averaging 5.1 points per game. Janssen posted a season-high 14 points in MSU's 102-53 win over Weber State on Feb. 4. For the game, she connected on 4-7 from the field, 2-3 from 3-point range and 4-4 at the line.
KEEP FEEDIN' DEDEN: Lexi Deden has played in all 20 games. The 6-1 freshman forward from Missoula is averaging 7.1 points and 4.3 rebounds per contest. Deden recorded a season-high 22 points in MSU's win over Northern Arizona on Jan. 23 when she connected on 10-14 from the field. Deden finished the NAU weekend averaging 15 points and 7.5 rebounds per game. The Deden name is familiar in Montana basketball circles. Deden's mother Dawn (Silliker) played for Montana from 1984-88. At UM, she was a 1,000-point scorer and was an all-Mountain West pick. In addition, Lexi's aunt/head coach at Sentinel High, Karen Deden, was a standout at Washington and is in the Husky Hall of Fame. Last week against ISU, Deden averaged 5.0 points and 5.0 rebounds per contest.
MENTIONING MOCCHI: Junior Gabby Mocchi has played in 19 of MSU's 20 games, including starting the last 14 outings. The 6-1 forward from Champlin, Minn., saw limited minutes early in the season, but had a breakout performance at Utah Valley with 13 points and has been a mainstay in the starting line-up ever since. Mocchi is averaging 8.5 points per game, while shooting 42.4% in Big Sky action. She recorded a career-high 18 points on 7-12 shooting at Portland State on Jan. 16.
SKYE'S THE LIMIT: Skye Lindsay, who sat out last season after transferring from Pepperdine, has seen action in nine games and is averaging 4.1 points and 3.1 rebounds per game. The Orem, Utah product posted a season-best 11 points at Portland.
DON'T MESS WITH TEXAS: Leia Beattie posted a season-best 14 points in MSU's win over NAU on Jan. 23. For the game, she went 5-of-7 from the field, including three triples. Beattie also has familiar Montana pedigree. Her mother, Kelly (Pilcher) was a two-time All-Big Sky selection for UM 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 also a former Lady Griz and was the 1996 Big Sky Sixth Player of the Year. Last weekend, Beattie averaged over 10 minutes per contest.
ASHLEY'S ACCOLADES: Ashley Van Sickle has averaged 3.4 points per game in Big Sky action. In her last 11 games, Van Sickle is shooting 57.9% (11-19) from long distance. She had a career-best 13 points against Weber State on Feb. 4.
EN FUEGO: Freshman Ava Ranson had a breakout game against Northern Arizona on Jan. 21, scoring 12 points on 4-5 triples.
WHEN: Wednesday, March 3, 2021 @ 6:05 p.m. (MST)
WHERE: Sacramento, Calif. - The Nest
RECORDS: Montana State: 14-6, 11-3; Sac St.: 2-19, 2-16
SERIES: Montana State leads 36-12; Streak: MSU W4
LAST MTG: Feb. 27. 2020 - @Montana St. 113, Sac St. 69
RADIO: Live on 1450 KMMS AM with Mark Martello on the call; pregame begins 15-minutes prior to opening tip.
VIDEO: Montana State's game at Sacramento State on Wednesday and Friday can be seen on Pluto TV - channel 1052
REGULAR-SEASON FINALE`: The Bobcats- winners of nine of its last ten games- are in a battle for seeding and a possible Big Sky Conference regular-season title. Montana State will conclude its regular-season with a two-game series at Sacramento State, beginning Wednesday, March 3 at 6 p.m. (MT) in The Nest. The Bobcats and Hornets will play their second contest on Friday, March 5 at 1 p.m. (MT). Big Sky Conference women's basketball games for the final week of play are moved up a day to accommodate the start of the Big Sky Conference Women's Tournament, beginning Monday, March 8 in Boise, Idaho.
BOBCAT PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Senior Tori Martell averaged 12 points and three rebounds as the Bobcats split with Big Sky Conference-leading Idaho State. Feb. 18 & 20. Martell was held in check at Idaho State, posting four points, but she exploded late in the game in Worthington Arena, including the three-point shot heard around the world with .06-seconds left. She then scored nine points in overtime to guide MSU to the victory. In all, she recorded 20 points, four rebounds, four assists and two steals against ISU.
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING: In its overtime win against Idaho State, the Bobcats caught fire at the right time. In the OT period MSU shot 83.3% (5-6) from the field.
THE SCOUTING REPORT: Sacramento State - The Hornets enter this week's two-game series 2-19 overall and 2-16 in Big Sky Conference action. Last weekend, Sacramento State dropped a pair of games at Weber State, losing on Thursday 79-73, before suffering a 75-69 overtime setback on Saturday afternoon. For the two-game series, the Hornets were paced by Jordan Olivares and Tiana Johnson. Olivares averaged 17 points per game, while Johnson chipped in 13 points and 6.5 rebounds. On the season, Sacramento State has been led by Summer Menke, who averages 13.8 points and 7.8 rebounds per game. Also in double-figure scoring is Johnson at 12.4 points and 7.1 rebounds per outing. Sac's long ball threat comes from Sarah Abney, who has connected on 33-133 triples.
NO PLACE LIKE HOME: Since losing to San Diego on Nov. 24, 2015, Montana State has gone 63-13 (82.9.%) in the Brick Breeden Fieldhouse. In Big Sky Conference action during the same time span, the Bobcats are 45-10 (81.8%) 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 195 career 3-pointers, which ranks third all-time. Ahead of her on MSU's all-time list are Katie Bussey (254), and Hannah Caudill (231). Martell's career 36.7% shooting from beyond the arc ranks eighth all-time at Montana State. Her 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 fourth most in the nation this season. She is currently second on the team in scoring, averaging 12.3 points per game. Martell has been in double-digit scoring on 12 occasions this season, including a career-best 26 points against North Dakota. Last weekend vs. ISU, she averaged 12.0 ppg.
DARE TO BE: Darian White, a preseason All-Big Sky Conference selection leads the Bobcats and is fifth in the Big Sky averaging 14.6 points per game. She's 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 (74), steals (57) and free throws made (87). In addition, White is averaging a team-best 5.2 rebounds per game. She recorded a career-high 11 rebounds at Portland. Feb. 11, she flirted with a triple-double- scoring 16 points, hauling down 10 boards and adding a career-best seven steals. Last week vs. ISU, White averaged 14 points, 3.5 steals, 3.0 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game.
ALL JACKED UP: Madison Jackson, who was sidelined for seven games during the early season, returned to action on Jan. 21. The Parma, Idaho product has seen her minutes increase since her return. Last weekend against Idaho State, she averaged 11 points and 4.5 rebounds per game, while shooting 63.6% from the field. Jackson notched a career-high 20 points in MSU overtime win against Idaho State on Saturday afternoon, including 13 points in the first half. For the game, she connected on 6-of-9 from the field, including three 3-pointers.
KUDOS TO KOLA: Sophomore Kola Bad Bear has played and started in all 20 games to date. The 6-2 product of Billings Senior is averaging 5.8 points and 3.3 rebounds per contest. Bad Bear had her best outing of the season at Portland State on Jan. 14 posting a career-high 16 points. She has been in double-digit scoring on four occasions, including 14 points vs. Idaho State on Saturday. Bad Bear matched a career-high with nine boards vs. ISU on Saturday. On the season, she is fifth on the Bobcat squad shooting 78.6% at the free throw. Bad Bear has converted 33-42 charity tosses.
EASY PEASY: True-freshman Katelynn Limardo has started all 20 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 6.3 points per game. Limardo had her best game of the 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. Limardo also chipped in three rebounds, an assist and a steal. On the season, she's averaging 4.2 rebounds per game. Limardo had a season-best eight rebounds in MSU's win at Portland State. Last week, she averaged 4,0 points per game.
THE PRIDE OF ROSEMOUNT: True freshman Taylor Janssen has played in all 20 games, including three starts. She is averaging 14.7 minutes per contest. The Rosemount, Minn., native is averaging 5.1 points per game. Janssen posted a season-high 14 points in MSU's 102-53 win over Weber State on Feb. 4. For the game, she connected on 4-7 from the field, 2-3 from 3-point range and 4-4 at the line.
KEEP FEEDIN' DEDEN: Lexi Deden has played in all 20 games. The 6-1 freshman forward from Missoula is averaging 7.1 points and 4.3 rebounds per contest. Deden recorded a season-high 22 points in MSU's win over Northern Arizona on Jan. 23 when she connected on 10-14 from the field. Deden finished the NAU weekend averaging 15 points and 7.5 rebounds per game. The Deden name is familiar in Montana basketball circles. Deden's mother Dawn (Silliker) played for Montana from 1984-88. At UM, she was a 1,000-point scorer and was an all-Mountain West pick. In addition, Lexi's aunt/head coach at Sentinel High, Karen Deden, was a standout at Washington and is in the Husky Hall of Fame. Last week against ISU, Deden averaged 5.0 points and 5.0 rebounds per contest.
MENTIONING MOCCHI: Junior Gabby Mocchi has played in 19 of MSU's 20 games, including starting the last 14 outings. The 6-1 forward from Champlin, Minn., saw limited minutes early in the season, but had a breakout performance at Utah Valley with 13 points and has been a mainstay in the starting line-up ever since. Mocchi is averaging 8.5 points per game, while shooting 42.4% in Big Sky action. She recorded a career-high 18 points on 7-12 shooting at Portland State on Jan. 16.
SKYE'S THE LIMIT: Skye Lindsay, who sat out last season after transferring from Pepperdine, has seen action in nine games and is averaging 4.1 points and 3.1 rebounds per game. The Orem, Utah product posted a season-best 11 points at Portland.
DON'T MESS WITH TEXAS: Leia Beattie posted a season-best 14 points in MSU's win over NAU on Jan. 23. For the game, she went 5-of-7 from the field, including three triples. Beattie also has familiar Montana pedigree. Her mother, Kelly (Pilcher) was a two-time All-Big Sky selection for UM 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 also a former Lady Griz and was the 1996 Big Sky Sixth Player of the Year. Last weekend, Beattie averaged over 10 minutes per contest.
ASHLEY'S ACCOLADES: Ashley Van Sickle has averaged 3.4 points per game in Big Sky action. In her last 11 games, Van Sickle is shooting 57.9% (11-19) from long distance. She had a career-best 13 points against Weber State on Feb. 4.
EN FUEGO: Freshman Ava Ranson had a breakout game against Northern Arizona on Jan. 21, scoring 12 points on 4-5 triples.
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