Monday, January 17
BOZEMAN
7 p.m.
Montana State University
vs
Idaho
Photo by: MSU/Kelly Gorham
Bobcat Women Ready to Resume Play
1/16/2022 8:34:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Due to COVID-19 protocols within its own program, as well as Southern Utah, the Bobcats have been idle for the past 16 days. MSU plays its rescheduled game against Idaho, Monday at 7 p.m. on the home hardwood.
The Montana State women's basketball team hasn't played a game since New Year's Day. And its last home game came on Dec. 21 when it faced No. 19 BYU in Worthington Arena.
Due to COVID-19 protocols within its own program, as well as Southern Utah, the Bobcats have been idle for the past 16 days. MSU plays its rescheduled game against Idaho, Monday at 7 p.m. on the home hardwood.
"The past two weeks have been trying," said Ellen Kreighbaum Head Women's Basketball Coach Tricia Binford. "Last Friday, it was a decision to keep packing for our Southern Utah game or making practice plans in Bozeman. It's a tricky deal."
In the end, the team had its first full practice in two weeks as SUU announced COVID protocols, cancelling a third straight game for the Bobcats. MSU previously had postponed home games against the Vandals and Montana.
"With a variety of different COVID protocols we were finally able to practice as a complete team," Binford said. "You really have to take a look at what your off days look like and recovery time. This year is different than last because last year we went in with a plan.
"Against Idaho, we just have to keep things simple," Binford added. "We'll keep a close eye on playing times and making sure our energy is good. We really need our fans to show up on Monday and support us with everything they have."
The Bobcats enter Monday's contest 7-8 overall and 2-2 in Big Sky play. MSU's last game was a 67-57 setback at Idaho State to ring in a new year. Idaho is 3-11 overall and 2-3 in Big Sky play. The Vandals defeated Weber State, before dropping a 60-56 decision to league-leading ISU on Saturday afternoon in Moscow.
Prior to its game at Idaho State, MSU fell at Weber State in Ogden despite a career-high 29 points from junior point guard Darian White. White missed MSU's contest against the Bengals. Kola Bad Bear picked up the slack at ISU with 17 points. The Billings product is second on the team averaging 9.9 points per game, while leading the Cats in rebounding at 5.5 boards. Over the past seven games the 6-2 forward has averaged 12.4 points and 6.7 rebounds per outing.
Idaho will be paced by preseason MVP pick Beyonce Bea. On the season, Bea is averaging 10.6 points and 7.6 rebounds per game. Against Idaho State on Saturday, she poured in 25 points and pulled down 12 boards.
"Idaho has a lot of different weapons," Binford said. "We're going to have to do a good job with transition defense as they like to run the court and spread the floor. Offensively, we need to get our balance going. We need to establish a good rhythm and have everyone contribute."
The contest against Idaho will start a four-game homestand within a weeks' time. The Bobcats will face Northern Arizona on Thursday, Portland State on Saturday afternoon, before meeting rival Montana on Monday, Jan. 24 at 7 p.m. in Worthington Arena.
Due to COVID-19 protocols within its own program, as well as Southern Utah, the Bobcats have been idle for the past 16 days. MSU plays its rescheduled game against Idaho, Monday at 7 p.m. on the home hardwood.
"The past two weeks have been trying," said Ellen Kreighbaum Head Women's Basketball Coach Tricia Binford. "Last Friday, it was a decision to keep packing for our Southern Utah game or making practice plans in Bozeman. It's a tricky deal."
In the end, the team had its first full practice in two weeks as SUU announced COVID protocols, cancelling a third straight game for the Bobcats. MSU previously had postponed home games against the Vandals and Montana.
"With a variety of different COVID protocols we were finally able to practice as a complete team," Binford said. "You really have to take a look at what your off days look like and recovery time. This year is different than last because last year we went in with a plan.
"Against Idaho, we just have to keep things simple," Binford added. "We'll keep a close eye on playing times and making sure our energy is good. We really need our fans to show up on Monday and support us with everything they have."
The Bobcats enter Monday's contest 7-8 overall and 2-2 in Big Sky play. MSU's last game was a 67-57 setback at Idaho State to ring in a new year. Idaho is 3-11 overall and 2-3 in Big Sky play. The Vandals defeated Weber State, before dropping a 60-56 decision to league-leading ISU on Saturday afternoon in Moscow.
Prior to its game at Idaho State, MSU fell at Weber State in Ogden despite a career-high 29 points from junior point guard Darian White. White missed MSU's contest against the Bengals. Kola Bad Bear picked up the slack at ISU with 17 points. The Billings product is second on the team averaging 9.9 points per game, while leading the Cats in rebounding at 5.5 boards. Over the past seven games the 6-2 forward has averaged 12.4 points and 6.7 rebounds per outing.
Idaho will be paced by preseason MVP pick Beyonce Bea. On the season, Bea is averaging 10.6 points and 7.6 rebounds per game. Against Idaho State on Saturday, she poured in 25 points and pulled down 12 boards.
"Idaho has a lot of different weapons," Binford said. "We're going to have to do a good job with transition defense as they like to run the court and spread the floor. Offensively, we need to get our balance going. We need to establish a good rhythm and have everyone contribute."
The contest against Idaho will start a four-game homestand within a weeks' time. The Bobcats will face Northern Arizona on Thursday, Portland State on Saturday afternoon, before meeting rival Montana on Monday, Jan. 24 at 7 p.m. in Worthington Arena.
Players Mentioned
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/ Women's Basketball
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/ Women's BasketballWednesday, January 26
Saturday, December 18
Thursday, November 04
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