Bobcat Defense Stymies Weber State

Sunday, December 31

BOZEMAN

2 p.m.

Montana State University

7-6,2-0Big Sky

Weber State

3-11,0-2Big Sky

Weber St.

Montana St.

Madison Hall drives to the basket against Weber State on Sunday afternoon.

Photo by: Garrett Becker

12/31/2023 5:12:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

“The most important thing (today) was the team defensively, as a unit, having one of its most consistent games of the season,” Binford said.

By: Tom Schulz

The Montana State defense held Weber State under double digit scoring in two of four quarters, while the Bobcat offense used a balanced attack with four players scoring in double figures as MSU won its fourth consecutive game in a 57-43 decision over the Wildcats on Sunday afternoon in Worthington Arena.

"The defense has been our most consistent factor," said MSU head coach Tricia Binford. "Our offense has been a bit of a roller coaster. We had some seniors step up and our starters scored, but we want to get our bench going and impact the game the way we know they can."

Montana State (7-6, 2-0) jumped out early as Marah Dykstra provided six points in the first 2-minutes, 39-seconds. MSU shot 54.5% from the field in the first quarter, while limiting Weber State (3-11, 0-2) to 23.5%. The Bobcats owned an 18-8 advantage after one period.

MSU continued its hot shooting in the second stanza hitting at a 46.2% clip, en route to a 34-20 lead at intermission.

Neither team could find the basket in the third quarter as MSU went one-of-ten from the floor, while Weber State hit two-of-14 shots. The Bobcats held a 12-point cushion heading into the final frame.

Montana State built its largest lead at 57-38 with 1:26 left on a Taylor Janssen layup.

The MSU defense held Weber State to 23.7% shooting and held the Wildcats' top two scorers – Daryn Hickok and Jadyn Matthews- to four and three points, respectively. The duo entered the game averaging double-figures.

"The most important thing (today) was the team defensively, as a unit, having one of its most consistent games of the season," Binford said.

Fifth-year guard Madison Hall paced MSU with a game-high 13 points, while Katelynn Limardo added 12, Dykstra 10, and Natlie Picton 10. The Bobcats finished the contest shooting 41.3% from the field.

Weber State won the battle of the boards, outrebounding the Bobcats 40-33. Limardo notched her second double-double of the season pulling down a game-high ten rebounds.

Montana State, who committed 21 turnovers against Idaho State on Thursday, had just ten miscues against Weber State

Laura Taylor led WSU with 11 points and five rebounds.

Montana State hosts North Dakota State on Wednesday, Jan. 3 at 5:30 p.m. as part of the Big Sky-Summit League Challenge.