Cats Close Out Regular Season on the Road

Wednesday, March 2

Sacramento, CA

8 p.m. (MT)

Montana State University

Sacramento State

Darian White hits a floater over Sophia Stiles of Montana on Saturday night.

Photo by: Jack Murrey

2/28/2022 1:30:00 PM | Women's Basketball

WBB NOTES

Montana State is halfway through playing its final four regular season Big Sky Conference games on the road. MSU will conclude league play this week beginning at Sacramento State, Wednesday, March 2 at 8 p.m. (MT) in The Nest, and finishes at Northern Colorado in Greeley on Friday, March 4 at 6 p.m. in Bank of Colorado Arena.

By: Tom Schulz

WHO:           Montana State at Sacramento State
WHEN:         Wednesday, March 2, 2022 - 8 p.m. (MT)
WHERE:       Sacramento, Calif. - The Nest
RECORDS:    Montana St. 18-11, 13-5; Sac. State 14-13, 10-8
SERIES:         Montana State leads series 40-12 (Jan. 24, 1997)
LAST MTG: Dec. 4, 2021 - @ Montana St. 76, Sac. State 69

WHO:           Montana State at Northern Colorado
WHEN:         Friday, March 4, 2022 - 6 p.m. (MT)
WHERE:       Greeley, Colo. - Bank of Colorado Arena
RECORDS:    Montana St. 18-11, 13-5; No. Colo. 11-15, 7-11
SERIES:         Montana State leads series 18-15 (Feb. 22, 1980)
LAST MTG: Dec. 2, 2021 - @ MSU 63, Northern Colorado 57

STREAM:      MSU's game at Sac State and Northern Colorado will be streamed live on ESPN+ (subscription needed).
RADIO:         MSU's game at Sac St. & UNC on 1450 KMMS AM - Pregame- 15-min. prior to tip. Tom Schulz with play-by-play.

NEXT UP: Montana State is halfway through playing its final four regular season Big Sky Conference games on the road. MSU will conclude league play this week beginning at Sacramento State, Wednesday, March 2 at 8 p.m. (MT) in The Nest, and finishes at Northern Colorado in Greeley on Friday, March 4 at 6 p.m. in Bank of Colorado Arena.

BOBCATS BITES: With six rebounds against So. Utah on Feb. 19, Darian White became the first point-guard (and second player) in MSU women's history to record 1,000 points, 400 rebounds, 300 assists and 200 steals. The other player to accomplish the milestone is Vicki Heebner Carle (1980-84)...with its win over No. Arizona on Feb. 12, Tricia Binford moved into second in Big Sky history with 182 league wins, passing Carla Taylor (Weber State, 180-170, 20 years). Binford is second to Robin Selvig (Montana, 359-83, 38 years)...with an 18-10 overall mark, Binford is assured of her 15th consecutive non-losing season. Her last losing season - 13-16 overall - came during her second year in Bozeman, 2006-07.

SCOUTING THE HORNETS: Sacramento State enters Wednesday night's contest 14-13 overall and 10-8 in Big Sky Conference play. The Hornets sit fifth in the league standings- tied with Northern Arizona. Last weekend, the Hornets dropped a 73-68 decision at Idaho, before rebounding for a 67-58 victory at Eastern Washington on Saturday afternoon. On the season, Sacramento State has been paced by the Big Sky's top scorer Lianna Tillman. The University of Pacific transfer is averaging 21 points per game, while shooting 41.1% from the field. Isnelle Natabou is averaging 14.3 points per game, while hauling down a league-best 11.5 boards per outing. Senior Summer Menke also averages double-digits at 11.6 points per game. The Hornets are under the direction of first-year head coach Mark Campbell.

SCOUTING THE BEARS: Under the direction of first-year head coach and former Montana State assistant Kristen Mattio, the Bears enter Wednesday night's game against Montana 11-15 overall and 7-11 in Big Sky action - good for eighth place. Last weekend, Northern Colorado dropped a pair of road games losing at Eastern Washington (62-56) and Idaho (88-79). UNC has been led this season by sophomore guard Hannah Simental, who averages 14.2 points per game. Also in double-digits is Kurstyn Harden, a 6-3 junior post from Lufkin, Texas, who averages 11.5 points and a team-best 7.4 rebounds per game. The Bears' top outside threat is Simental, who has posted 57 triples, while shooting 42.5% behind the arc.

I DARE YA: Darian White, a preseason All-Big Sky Conference selection, leads the Bobcats in scoring (15.2 ppg), assists (121), steals (72) and free throws made (125). She has been in double figure scoring in 25 games, including a career-high 32 points at Idaho on Feb. 7. Against the Vandals, the Boise product connected on 13 of 21 from the field and 5 of 7 at the line. In addition, she dished out eight assists, pulled down six rebounds and logged three steals and a blocked shot. White saw her streak of 36 consecutive games in double digit scoring snapped at Southern Utah - eight points - on Feb. 10. At North Dakota on Nov. 20, she had 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 has broken into several career MSU top 10 statistical categories this season: including steals, 5th, 213; free throws made, 4th, 335; assists, 9th, 316; and free throw percentage, 11th, 77%. White is currently averaging 2.6 steals per game, which leads the Big Sky, while her 4.3 assists per outing ranks third in the league. Against NAU on Jan. 20, she became the 26th Bobcat to record 1,000 points. Her current total of 1,169 points ranks 19th all-time in MSU history.

KUDOS TO KOLA: Junior Kola Bad Bear has played in all 29 games, including 27 starts. On the season, the 6-2 forward is averaging 10.4 points and 5.4 rebounds per contest. Her 5.4 rebounds lead the team and ranks No.21 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. 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. In Big Sky Conference play this season, Bad Bear is averaging 11.2 points and 5.4 rebounds per game. A week ago, Monday, she had her best outing in Big Sky play at Portland State scoring 17 points (6-11 FG, 5-8 FT) and grabbing 8 rebounds.

OUT ON A LIMB: Sophomore Katelynn Limardo has started the last 28 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 8.1 points and 4.0 rebounds per outing. In addition, Limardo is shooting 38.1% from the field and 84.1% (37-44) from the line. On the season, Limardo has recorded 11 double figure scoring games, including a Big Sky season-high 15 points in MSU's win over Northern Arizona on Jan. 20. Against the Lumberjacks, she went three of nine shooting, added three triples and was six of six at the line. Limardo also pulled down a season-best nine rebounds in MSU's win over Idaho on Jan. 17. Over Thanksgiving, her three 3-pointers in the 4th quarter at Cal Poly lifted MSU to the win. Last winter, she started 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 went 5 of 5 from long distance.

DON'T MESS WITH TEXAS: Leia Beattie has played in all 29 games for the Bobcats, including 27 starts. She currently is averaging 9.0 points and 4.4 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 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 games and averaged 3.7 points per game. Against Montana on Saturday night, Beattie posted 13 points - all coming in the second half. She also pulled down a team-best seven rebounds.

THE TALK: Senior Gabby Mocchi has played in 26 games, including starts in the last 19 outings. The 6-1 senior from Champlin, Minn., recorded a career-high 21 points in MSU's win at Idaho on Feb. 7. Against the Vandals, Mocchi hit seven of nine shots, including a career-best four 3-pointers. Mocchi is averaging 6.8 points and 3.8 rebounds per game. She pulled down a season-best nine boards in MSU's win over Seattle U on Dec. 18. In Big Sky play, Mocchi is averaging 8.1 and 4.1 rebounds per game. On the season, she is shooting 82.5% (33-40) at the stripe.

KEEP FEEDIN' DEDEN: Lexi Deden, a 6-1 sophomore forward from Missoula, is sixth on the Bobcats in rebounding averaging 3.6 boards per game. In addition, she is seventh on the squad averaging 5.7 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. In MSU's loss at Montana on Saturday, Deden posted a team-high 14 points on 5 of 10 shooting. 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 coach at Sentinel High, Karen Deden, played 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 29 games this season and is averaging 3.2 points and 2.6 rebounds per game. The Arvada, Colo., product helped the Bobcats defeat Montana for the seventh consecutive game on Jan. 24 playing 20 minutes and posting seven points. Against UM, Van Sickle went three-of-three from the field and was one-of-one from long distance. She also dished out three assists, pulled down two rebounds and had one blocked shot. Van Sickle notched a season-best nine points as the Bobcats defeated Idaho State on Feb. 3, which included a pair of 3-pointers. Against Portland State on Jan. 22, Van Sickle grabbed a career-best seven rebounds. On Senior Day, she posted five points and five rebounds as the Bobcats knocked-off Southern Utah.

THE PRIDE OF ROSEMOUNT: Sophomore Taylor Janssen has played in all 29 games and is averaging 6.4 points and 2.7 rebounds per outing. During MSU's three-game road swing to UI, SUU and NAU, Janssen averaged 8.0 points and 1.7 rebounds. The 6-3 product of Rosemount, Minn., registered a career-high 16 points in MSU's overtime loss at Southern Utah. For the game, Janssen went five of seven from the field and five of six from the line. Under the boards, she pulled down a career-high nine rebounds in Montana State's win over Weber State on Feb. 5 in Worthington Arena. On the season, Janssen is shooting 41.6% from the field and 80% (32-40) at the free throw line. Earlier this season, Janssen made 19 consecutive free throws before missing against Weber State on Feb. 5. The all-time Bobcat record is 25 by Rebecca Mercer during the 2007-08 season.

ALL JACKED UP: Madison Jackson has played in 19 games. She was sidelined for 10 games due to a hand injury. Jackson had her best outing of the season against Northern Arizona on Jan. 20 recording 10 points and three rebounds. Jackson went 4 of 4 from the field and 2 of 2 from long distance. Last week, at Portland State, the Parma, Idaho product scored six points and added two rebounds and two steals.

RANSON NOTE: Sophomore Ava Ranson has played in 23 games and is averaging 1.6 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. Ranson recorded a Big Sky best five points against Portland State on Jan. 22.

MENTIONING MIA: Freshman Mia Hughes has played in 15 games, including three starts. The product of Woodinville, Wash., is averaging 1.7 points and 1.9 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 94.1% (16-17) 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.

NOTABLES: *MSU is 7th in the nation in free throws made at 432 makes. Only Troy (504), Murray State (456), Sam Houston (452), Oklahoma (449), Eastern Kentucky (443), and Oral Roberts (434) have made more free throws than the Bobcats. *MSU ranks 12th in the nation in free throw percentage at 78.4%. The University of Iowa leads the nation hitting 84.6% at the line. *The Bobcats have claimed three Big Sky regular season titles in the last six years. MSU won regular season championships in 2016, 2017, and 2020. * In the last 10 seasons dating back to the 2012-13 campaign, the Cats have posted a 105-30 (77.8%) mark within the warm confines of Worthington Arena and a 72-22 (76.6%) ledger in Big Sky action on the home hardwood. *Last season MSU had one of the youngest squads in the nation with seven total freshmen, six of which were true-freshmen. Twelve of 15 players on the Bobcat roster had two years of NCAA Division I experience or less. Looking at MSU's starting line-up heading into this weekend's games, and with the 'free' season of eligibility due to COVID-19, in all reality, the Bobcats take to the floor with two sophomores - Darian White and Kola Bad Bear, two freshmen - Katelynn Limardo and Leia Beattie and senior - Gabby Mocchi.