
Cats Open Big Sky Play at Idaho
12/28/2022 5:30:00 PM | Women's Basketball
After a 10-day hiatus from the hardwood the Montana State women’s basketball team returns to action as it opens Big Sky Conference play at Idaho, Thursday night at 7 p.m. (MT) at the ICCU Arena in Moscow.
WHO: Montana State at Idaho
WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 29, 2022 - 7 p.m. (MT)
WHERE: Moscow, Idaho - ICCU Arena (4,200)
RECORDS: Montana State 7-5, Idaho 4-7
SERIES: MSU leads series 39-20 - Current Streak - W3
LAST MTG: March 9, 2022 - @ BSCT - MSU 73, Idaho 67
WHO: Montana State at Eastern Washington
WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 31, 2022 - 3 p.m. (MT)
WHERE: Cheney, Wash. - Reese Court (5,000)
RECORDS: Montana State 7-5, Eastern Washington 7-3
SERIES: MSU leads series 50-44 - Current Streak L1
LAST MTG: Feb. 17, 2022 - E. Wash. 76, @ Montana St. 69
RADIO: MSU's games at UI & EWU will air on My 103.5 FM beginning 15-minutes prior to tip with Daniel Salle
VIDEO: MSU's games from UI & EWU will be streamed live on ESPN+ (a subscription is necessary to view).
NEXT UP: After a 10-day hiatus from the hardwood the Montana State women's basketball team returns to action as it opens Big Sky Conference play at Idaho, Thursday night at 7 p.m. (MT) at the ICCU Arena in Moscow. The Bobcats will close out weekend action at Eastern Washington, Saturday afternoon at 3 p.m. (MT) at Reese Court in Cheney. MSU's final non-conference game against Cal Poly - slated for Dec. 21 - was canceled due to health and safety protocols withing the Mustangs' women's basketball program.
BIG SKY OPENER: Since the inception of women's basketball in the Big Sky Conference during the 1988-89 season the Bobcats are 20-14 in league openers, while Tricia Binford is 9-8 all-time. MSU has won its last seven Big Sky openers, including a 63-57 win over Northern Colorado, last December. Montana State's last loss (82-74) in a league opener came at North Dakota on Jan. 1, 2015.
THE SCOUTING REPORT: Idaho went 4-7 in non-conference action. The Vandals notched wins over Navy, New Mexico State, Denver, and Grand Canyon (overtime). UI and MSU played one common opponent with the Bobcats defeating Nevada (64-43) at the Maui Classic, while the Vandals dropped an 84-80 overtime decision to the Wolf Pack on Dec. 3. Idaho has been paced this season by All-Big Sky Conference performer Beyonce Bea, who averages a league-best 22.3 points per game. Bea, a 6-1 senior from Washougal, Wash., also chips in 9.4 rebounds per contest, while shooting 48% from the field and 80.5% from the free throw line. Also averaging double-digit scoring for Idaho are Sydney Gandy and Tiana Johnson at 11.5 ppg and 10.2 ppg, respectively. Both Gandy and Johnson have connected on a team-best 27 3-pointers this season. The Vandals are under the direction of Jon Newlee, who is in his 15th season at UI. Eastern Washington completed its non-conference season 7-3 overall. The Eagles will host Montana on Thursday night before facing the Bobcats on Saturday afternoon. EWU has recorded victories over Corban, Boise State, Southern Utah. Evergreen State, Tarleton State, Seattle, and Utah State. Its losses have come against Oregon State, UC Irvine, and #15/16 Oregon. Under the direction of second-year head coach Joddie Gleason, Eastern Washington has been paced this season by Jaydia Martin, Jamie Loera, and Jacinta Buckley, who averaged 13.8, 11.1 and 10.1 points per game, respectively. Buckley, a 6-1 junior from Spokane, Wash., guides EWU under the boards at 7.7 rpg.
DARIAN DOING DARIAN THINGS: Darian White, the preseason All-Big Sky Conference MVP selection, leads the Bobcats in scoring (11.2 ppg), rebounding (5.4), assists (44), and free throws made (51). She has been in double figure scoring in six games, including a season-high 20 points in MSU's loss to Abilene Christian. In the Bobcats' victory over South Dakota State, she posted her typical stat line of 16 points, eight assists, seven rebounds and two steals. On the season, she is shooting 37% from the field. White saw her free throw shooting percentage rise to 72.9% after hitting 20-of- 23 in the last five games. Last season, White notched a career-high 29 points at Weber State on Dec. 30. She had a streak of 33 consecutive games in double digit scoring snapped in MSU's NCAA first-round tournament game at No. 2 Stanford. The reigning two-time Big Sky Conference Defensive Player of the Year pulled down a career-high 12 rebounds against Montana State Billings on Dec. 9, 2021. White has pulled down a season-best 10 rebounds at San Jose State on Nov. 22, 2022. Looking at the MSU Record Book, White has broken into several career MSU Top 10 statistical categories, including No. 3 in free throws made (413). She joins Kathleen McLaughlin Howard and Cass Bauer Bilodeau as the only MSU players to record over 400 free throw makes in a career. White is also listed No. 3 in steals (238), No. 7 in assists (382), No. 9 in points (1,408) and No. 25 in rebounding with 503 boards. At the Maui Jim Maui Classic prior to the holiday break, White averaged 7.0 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game against No. 11/10 LSU and Nevada.
KUDOS TO KOLA: Senior Kola Bad Bear returned to the Bobcats starting line-up against Saint Mary's after missing four games with an injury. The Billings product notched six points and two steals in 18 minutes of action against the Gaels. On the season, Bad Bear is averaging 7.8 points and 2.5 rebounds, while shooting 39.3% from the field. She recorded a season-high 15 points and five rebounds in MSU's win over North Dakota on Nov. 18. Bad Bear will make her 63rd start as a Bobcat on Thursday night at Idaho. Last winter, Bad Bear, who was a 2022 All-Big Sky third-team pick, had a breakout performance at the BSC tournament, averaging 17 points, while shooting 61.3% from the field, en route to being name to the all-tournament team. Bad Bear notched a career-best 21 points against Weber State at last year's league tournament on March 8. She pulled down a career-high 17 boards against MSU Billings on Dec. 9, 2021, in Worthington Arena.
OUT ON A LIMB: Junior Katelynn Limardo has started all 12 games for the Bobcats and is averaging 6.3 points and 2.5 rebounds per game. Against Saint Mary's on Dec. 12, Limardo registered a career-high 21 points, all coming from beyond the three-point line. Her seven triples were the second most in a single game at Montana State, behind Tori Martell's 8 3-pointers against North Dakota on Dec. 6, 2020. 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 shooting 32.8% from the field and 81% (17-21) from the line. Limardo is second on the team with 17 3-pointers. She is shooting 38.6% (17-44) from long distance.
DON'T MESS WITH TEXAS: Leia Beattie, a product of Midland, Texas, is second on the Bobcat squad averaging 11.1 points per game. Beattie notched a career-high 27 points earlier this season at San Jose State, connecting on 10-of-19 from the field, including four 3-pointers. The 5-9 junior has started all 12 games for the Bobcats this season and is shooting 43.8% from the field, 37.5% (21-56) from beyond the arc, and 82.4% (14-17) at the line. Beattie pulled down a season-high seven rebounds against Arizona State of Nov. 15. 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.
OH CANADA: True-freshman Marah (Mare-ah) Dykstra has started the last nine contests for the Bobcats. The native of Vancouver, B.C., Canada has been on fire the last four games, averaging 9.0 points and 3.5 rebounds per game, while shooting 66.7% (12-18) from the field and 91.7% (11-12) from the free throw line. Dykstra had her best outing of the season at Wyoming, recording 16 points on six-of-eight shooting. Against the Cowgirls, she also went two-of-two from long distance and two-of-two at the line. Dykstra is second on the squad averaging 3.8 rebounds per game. She notched a career-high eight boards in MSU's win over North Dakota. Earlier this summer, Dykstra competed in the FIBA U18 Americas Championship in Buenos Aires, Argentina leading Team Canada to the silver medal. For the championship, she averaged a tournament best 11.0 rebounds per game, which included 15 rebounds against Brazil in pool play. In all, she hauled down 44 boards in four games. Team Canada captured Group A with victories over Brazil, Argentina, and Mexico. The Canadians advanced to the title game, dropping an 82-77 decision to the United States. Against the USA squad, Dykstra poured in 11 points, pulled down five rebounds and dished out four assists. For the tournament, she averaged 8.5 points, 11 rebounds and 2.75 assists per contest.
THE PRIDE OF ROSEMOUNT: Junior Taylor Janssen has played in all 12 games and is averaging 3.9 points and 3.2 rebounds per outing. Janssen notched a season-high eight points in MSU's victory over South Dakota State, connecting on three-of-four from the field, including a two-of-three effort from distance. Janssen pulled down a season-high 7 rebounds against Providence (MT) in the season-opener. Last winter, the 6-3 product of Rosemount, Minn., connected on 20 straight free throws before finally missing a charity toss against Weber State. Janssen came up short of the all-time Bobcat record of 25 set by Rebecca Mercer during the 2007-08 season
AMAZING GRACE: Grace Beasley, a junior transfer from Washington, has found a home in Bozeman. The native of Melbourne, Australia is averaging 8.3 points and 3.4 rebounds per game. Beasley notched a season-best 17 points in MSU's season-opening win over Providence (MT). Recently, she was named to the Maui Jim Maui Classic All-Tournament team after averaging 12.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.5 steals and 2.0 assists per game against No. 11/10 LSU and Nevada. Beasely played two seasons at Midland (TX) College, before heading to Seattle. Against No. 11/10 LSU at the Maui Classic, she posted 15 points, including a three-of-four effort from long distance. Beasley also added four rebounds, three assists and two steals against the Tigers.
KEEP FEEDIN' DEDEN: Lexi Deden, a 6-1 junior from Missoula, is averaging 7.2 points and 3.7 rebounds per game. Coming off the bench, she averages 18.3 minutes per contest. She filled in as a starter when Kola Bad Bear was down with an injury. In those four games, Deden averaged 11.5 points and 4.0 rebounds, including a season-best 17 points in MSU's win over South Dakota State. The Deden name is also familiar in Montana basketball circles. Her 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. As a freshman, Deden recorded a career-high 22 points vs. Northern Arizona.
ALL JACKED UP: Madison Jackson has played in all 12 games and is averaging 15.8 minutes of action coming off the Bobcat bench. The native of Parma, Idaho, averages 4.6 points and 2.0 rebounds per game. Jackson notched a season-high 11 points on two occasions this season coming against BYU and North Texas. As a sophomore, she recorded a career-high 20 points against Idaho State.
NOTABLE:
*For the first time in over a month the Montana State squad is back in the 'others receiving votes' section of the CollegeInsider.com Mid Major Top 25 poll with 2 points. MSU's best victory (71-66) of the season came over South Dakota State, who is ranked No. 5 in this week's poll. Gonzaga remains No. 1 in the poll, with Big Sky members Eastern Washington (24) and Sacramento State (30) listed in 'others receiving votes.'
*Over the past seven seasons, the Bobcats have claimed three Big Sky regular season titles 2016, 2017, 2020; two Big Sky Conference Tournament titles 2017, 2022; made two NCAA appearances 2017, 2022; and one WNIT appearance 2016.
*In the last three seasons, no Big Sky Conference team has more league games than the Bobcats. Montana State has racked-up 46 victories in Big Sky play since the 2019-20 season. The Bobcats are followed by Idaho State (45) and Idaho (40).
WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 29, 2022 - 7 p.m. (MT)
WHERE: Moscow, Idaho - ICCU Arena (4,200)
RECORDS: Montana State 7-5, Idaho 4-7
SERIES: MSU leads series 39-20 - Current Streak - W3
LAST MTG: March 9, 2022 - @ BSCT - MSU 73, Idaho 67
WHO: Montana State at Eastern Washington
WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 31, 2022 - 3 p.m. (MT)
WHERE: Cheney, Wash. - Reese Court (5,000)
RECORDS: Montana State 7-5, Eastern Washington 7-3
SERIES: MSU leads series 50-44 - Current Streak L1
LAST MTG: Feb. 17, 2022 - E. Wash. 76, @ Montana St. 69
RADIO: MSU's games at UI & EWU will air on My 103.5 FM beginning 15-minutes prior to tip with Daniel Salle
VIDEO: MSU's games from UI & EWU will be streamed live on ESPN+ (a subscription is necessary to view).
NEXT UP: After a 10-day hiatus from the hardwood the Montana State women's basketball team returns to action as it opens Big Sky Conference play at Idaho, Thursday night at 7 p.m. (MT) at the ICCU Arena in Moscow. The Bobcats will close out weekend action at Eastern Washington, Saturday afternoon at 3 p.m. (MT) at Reese Court in Cheney. MSU's final non-conference game against Cal Poly - slated for Dec. 21 - was canceled due to health and safety protocols withing the Mustangs' women's basketball program.
BIG SKY OPENER: Since the inception of women's basketball in the Big Sky Conference during the 1988-89 season the Bobcats are 20-14 in league openers, while Tricia Binford is 9-8 all-time. MSU has won its last seven Big Sky openers, including a 63-57 win over Northern Colorado, last December. Montana State's last loss (82-74) in a league opener came at North Dakota on Jan. 1, 2015.
THE SCOUTING REPORT: Idaho went 4-7 in non-conference action. The Vandals notched wins over Navy, New Mexico State, Denver, and Grand Canyon (overtime). UI and MSU played one common opponent with the Bobcats defeating Nevada (64-43) at the Maui Classic, while the Vandals dropped an 84-80 overtime decision to the Wolf Pack on Dec. 3. Idaho has been paced this season by All-Big Sky Conference performer Beyonce Bea, who averages a league-best 22.3 points per game. Bea, a 6-1 senior from Washougal, Wash., also chips in 9.4 rebounds per contest, while shooting 48% from the field and 80.5% from the free throw line. Also averaging double-digit scoring for Idaho are Sydney Gandy and Tiana Johnson at 11.5 ppg and 10.2 ppg, respectively. Both Gandy and Johnson have connected on a team-best 27 3-pointers this season. The Vandals are under the direction of Jon Newlee, who is in his 15th season at UI. Eastern Washington completed its non-conference season 7-3 overall. The Eagles will host Montana on Thursday night before facing the Bobcats on Saturday afternoon. EWU has recorded victories over Corban, Boise State, Southern Utah. Evergreen State, Tarleton State, Seattle, and Utah State. Its losses have come against Oregon State, UC Irvine, and #15/16 Oregon. Under the direction of second-year head coach Joddie Gleason, Eastern Washington has been paced this season by Jaydia Martin, Jamie Loera, and Jacinta Buckley, who averaged 13.8, 11.1 and 10.1 points per game, respectively. Buckley, a 6-1 junior from Spokane, Wash., guides EWU under the boards at 7.7 rpg.
DARIAN DOING DARIAN THINGS: Darian White, the preseason All-Big Sky Conference MVP selection, leads the Bobcats in scoring (11.2 ppg), rebounding (5.4), assists (44), and free throws made (51). She has been in double figure scoring in six games, including a season-high 20 points in MSU's loss to Abilene Christian. In the Bobcats' victory over South Dakota State, she posted her typical stat line of 16 points, eight assists, seven rebounds and two steals. On the season, she is shooting 37% from the field. White saw her free throw shooting percentage rise to 72.9% after hitting 20-of- 23 in the last five games. Last season, White notched a career-high 29 points at Weber State on Dec. 30. She had a streak of 33 consecutive games in double digit scoring snapped in MSU's NCAA first-round tournament game at No. 2 Stanford. The reigning two-time Big Sky Conference Defensive Player of the Year pulled down a career-high 12 rebounds against Montana State Billings on Dec. 9, 2021. White has pulled down a season-best 10 rebounds at San Jose State on Nov. 22, 2022. Looking at the MSU Record Book, White has broken into several career MSU Top 10 statistical categories, including No. 3 in free throws made (413). She joins Kathleen McLaughlin Howard and Cass Bauer Bilodeau as the only MSU players to record over 400 free throw makes in a career. White is also listed No. 3 in steals (238), No. 7 in assists (382), No. 9 in points (1,408) and No. 25 in rebounding with 503 boards. At the Maui Jim Maui Classic prior to the holiday break, White averaged 7.0 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game against No. 11/10 LSU and Nevada.
KUDOS TO KOLA: Senior Kola Bad Bear returned to the Bobcats starting line-up against Saint Mary's after missing four games with an injury. The Billings product notched six points and two steals in 18 minutes of action against the Gaels. On the season, Bad Bear is averaging 7.8 points and 2.5 rebounds, while shooting 39.3% from the field. She recorded a season-high 15 points and five rebounds in MSU's win over North Dakota on Nov. 18. Bad Bear will make her 63rd start as a Bobcat on Thursday night at Idaho. Last winter, Bad Bear, who was a 2022 All-Big Sky third-team pick, had a breakout performance at the BSC tournament, averaging 17 points, while shooting 61.3% from the field, en route to being name to the all-tournament team. Bad Bear notched a career-best 21 points against Weber State at last year's league tournament on March 8. She pulled down a career-high 17 boards against MSU Billings on Dec. 9, 2021, in Worthington Arena.
OUT ON A LIMB: Junior Katelynn Limardo has started all 12 games for the Bobcats and is averaging 6.3 points and 2.5 rebounds per game. Against Saint Mary's on Dec. 12, Limardo registered a career-high 21 points, all coming from beyond the three-point line. Her seven triples were the second most in a single game at Montana State, behind Tori Martell's 8 3-pointers against North Dakota on Dec. 6, 2020. 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 shooting 32.8% from the field and 81% (17-21) from the line. Limardo is second on the team with 17 3-pointers. She is shooting 38.6% (17-44) from long distance.
DON'T MESS WITH TEXAS: Leia Beattie, a product of Midland, Texas, is second on the Bobcat squad averaging 11.1 points per game. Beattie notched a career-high 27 points earlier this season at San Jose State, connecting on 10-of-19 from the field, including four 3-pointers. The 5-9 junior has started all 12 games for the Bobcats this season and is shooting 43.8% from the field, 37.5% (21-56) from beyond the arc, and 82.4% (14-17) at the line. Beattie pulled down a season-high seven rebounds against Arizona State of Nov. 15. 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.
OH CANADA: True-freshman Marah (Mare-ah) Dykstra has started the last nine contests for the Bobcats. The native of Vancouver, B.C., Canada has been on fire the last four games, averaging 9.0 points and 3.5 rebounds per game, while shooting 66.7% (12-18) from the field and 91.7% (11-12) from the free throw line. Dykstra had her best outing of the season at Wyoming, recording 16 points on six-of-eight shooting. Against the Cowgirls, she also went two-of-two from long distance and two-of-two at the line. Dykstra is second on the squad averaging 3.8 rebounds per game. She notched a career-high eight boards in MSU's win over North Dakota. Earlier this summer, Dykstra competed in the FIBA U18 Americas Championship in Buenos Aires, Argentina leading Team Canada to the silver medal. For the championship, she averaged a tournament best 11.0 rebounds per game, which included 15 rebounds against Brazil in pool play. In all, she hauled down 44 boards in four games. Team Canada captured Group A with victories over Brazil, Argentina, and Mexico. The Canadians advanced to the title game, dropping an 82-77 decision to the United States. Against the USA squad, Dykstra poured in 11 points, pulled down five rebounds and dished out four assists. For the tournament, she averaged 8.5 points, 11 rebounds and 2.75 assists per contest.
THE PRIDE OF ROSEMOUNT: Junior Taylor Janssen has played in all 12 games and is averaging 3.9 points and 3.2 rebounds per outing. Janssen notched a season-high eight points in MSU's victory over South Dakota State, connecting on three-of-four from the field, including a two-of-three effort from distance. Janssen pulled down a season-high 7 rebounds against Providence (MT) in the season-opener. Last winter, the 6-3 product of Rosemount, Minn., connected on 20 straight free throws before finally missing a charity toss against Weber State. Janssen came up short of the all-time Bobcat record of 25 set by Rebecca Mercer during the 2007-08 season
AMAZING GRACE: Grace Beasley, a junior transfer from Washington, has found a home in Bozeman. The native of Melbourne, Australia is averaging 8.3 points and 3.4 rebounds per game. Beasley notched a season-best 17 points in MSU's season-opening win over Providence (MT). Recently, she was named to the Maui Jim Maui Classic All-Tournament team after averaging 12.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.5 steals and 2.0 assists per game against No. 11/10 LSU and Nevada. Beasely played two seasons at Midland (TX) College, before heading to Seattle. Against No. 11/10 LSU at the Maui Classic, she posted 15 points, including a three-of-four effort from long distance. Beasley also added four rebounds, three assists and two steals against the Tigers.
KEEP FEEDIN' DEDEN: Lexi Deden, a 6-1 junior from Missoula, is averaging 7.2 points and 3.7 rebounds per game. Coming off the bench, she averages 18.3 minutes per contest. She filled in as a starter when Kola Bad Bear was down with an injury. In those four games, Deden averaged 11.5 points and 4.0 rebounds, including a season-best 17 points in MSU's win over South Dakota State. The Deden name is also familiar in Montana basketball circles. Her 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. As a freshman, Deden recorded a career-high 22 points vs. Northern Arizona.
ALL JACKED UP: Madison Jackson has played in all 12 games and is averaging 15.8 minutes of action coming off the Bobcat bench. The native of Parma, Idaho, averages 4.6 points and 2.0 rebounds per game. Jackson notched a season-high 11 points on two occasions this season coming against BYU and North Texas. As a sophomore, she recorded a career-high 20 points against Idaho State.
NOTABLE:
*For the first time in over a month the Montana State squad is back in the 'others receiving votes' section of the CollegeInsider.com Mid Major Top 25 poll with 2 points. MSU's best victory (71-66) of the season came over South Dakota State, who is ranked No. 5 in this week's poll. Gonzaga remains No. 1 in the poll, with Big Sky members Eastern Washington (24) and Sacramento State (30) listed in 'others receiving votes.'
*Over the past seven seasons, the Bobcats have claimed three Big Sky regular season titles 2016, 2017, 2020; two Big Sky Conference Tournament titles 2017, 2022; made two NCAA appearances 2017, 2022; and one WNIT appearance 2016.
*In the last three seasons, no Big Sky Conference team has more league games than the Bobcats. Montana State has racked-up 46 victories in Big Sky play since the 2019-20 season. The Bobcats are followed by Idaho State (45) and Idaho (40).
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






















