White and Bad Bear Garner All-Big Sky Conference Honors
3/7/2022 5:08:00 PM | Women's Basketball
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Montana State women's basketball standouts Darian White and Kola Bad Bear have garnered All-Big Sky Conference accolades, the league office announced on Monday morning.
By: Tom Schulz
Montana State women's basketball standouts Darian White and Kola Bad Bear have garnered All-Big Sky Conference accolades, the league office announced on Monday morning.
White, a junior from Boise, Idaho, who was a preseason all-conference selection, lived up to her expectations, earning unanimous first-team recognition for her play. Bad Bear, a product of Billings, was named to the league's third-team.
In addition, White, who led the league in steals for the second consecutive season was voted co-Big Sky Defensive Player of the Year by the league coaches.
White's notched 78 steals on the season, averaging 2.6 per contest. Both marks lead the Big Sky and rank 18th and 30th in the nation, respectively. White is also second on the Bobcat squad under the glass, averaging 5.1 rebounds per game. In 30 games played, she has recorded 14 games with three or more steals, and 18 games with five or more rebounds.
Over the course of 2021-22 season, White is averaging a team-best 15.6 points per game; leads the team in assists with 127 and is tops on the squad with 138 free throw makes.
"Darian has been one the Big Sky's most dynamic and impactful players for three years," said Ellen Kreighbaum Women's Head Coach Tricia Binford. "Her consistent efforts on both ends of the court has allowed us to contend for a league title year-in and year-out.
"She is an incredible playmaker, explosive scorer, and creates numerous extra possessions for our team whether it's offensive or defensive rebounds or steals," Binford added. "Defensively, she is disruptive and has really elevated our team's defense with her contagious energy. She is truly special and deserving of the recognition."
White was a first-team all-Big Sky Conference pick last season, as well.
Junior Kola Bad Bear
Bad Bear earned her first All-Big Sky Conference honor after averaging 10.5 points and a team-best 5.3 rebounds per game, while shooting 44.4% from the field and 76.6% from the free throw line in 31 regular-season games. The Billings Senior graduate recorded 19 double figure scoring games, including a career-best 21 points against MSU Billings. Bad Bear also posted 16 games with five or more rebounds, notching three games with double digit boards, including a career-best 17 caroms against MSUB.
"Kola has evolved into a very versatile inside presence for us this season, both on the block and with her ability to stretch the floor," Binford said. "I'm really proud of her overall consistency. Kola has good physicality, she's strong with her back to the basket and can face-up as well. Her rebounding ability has really improved this season. She's really owned the interior in the high-low."
2021-22 All-Big Sky Conference Teams
Individual Award Winners
Most Valuable Player: Lianna Tillman, Sacramento State
Co-Defensive Player of the Year: Darian White, Montana State & Tomekia Whitman, Idaho State
Top Reserve: Louise Forsyth, Idaho
Newcomer of the Year: Isnelle Natabou, Sacramento State*
Freshman of the Year: Jaydia Martin, Eastern Washington
First Team All-Big Sky
Lianna Tillman, Sacramento State*
Beyonce Bea, Idaho* Darian White, Montana State*
Carmen Gfeller, Montana
Tomekia Whitman, Idaho State
Second Team All-Big Sky
Isnelle Natabou, Sacramento State
Estefania Ors, Idaho State
Sophia Stiles, Montana
Hannah Simental, Northern Colorado
Daryn Hickok, Weber State
Third Team All-Conference
Kola Bad Bear, Montana State
Darri Dotson, Southern Utah
Kurstyn Harden, Northern Colorado
Jacinta Buckley, Eastern Washington
Diaba Konate, Idaho State
