Cats Picked Second in Preseason Polls, Morales & Dykstra Named to Preseason Team
10/23/2024 11:18:00 AM | Women's Basketball
“There is a lot of great talent in the Big Sky Conference and our goal, and our job, is to finish as the best team,” said MSU head coach Tricia Binford, who enters her 20th season at the helm of the Bobcats.
The Montana State women's basketball team was picked to finish second in both the Big Sky Conference coaches and media preseason polls, the league office announced on Wednesday. In addition, Bobcat senior Esmeralda Morales and junior Marah Dykstra were named to the All-Big Sky preseason squad, just two of six players to earn the recognition.
Montana State returns ten players, including four starters, from last year's squad that posted a 17-16 overall mark – the program's 17th consecutive non-losing season – and a 10-8 in Big Sky record. The Bobcats also added Morales, a First Team All-Big Sky selection at Portland State, along with New Mexico transfer Hannah Robbins. Freshmen Teagan Erickson, Addison Harris and Taylee Chirrick round out the 2024-25 MSU roster.
"There is a lot of great talent in the Big Sky Conference and our goal, and our job, is to finish as the best team," said MSU head coach Tricia Binford, who enters her 20th season at the helm of the Bobcats. "Talent can get beaten every day of the week, so we want to become the best team we're capable of becoming by moving forward every week with our focus on March."
Last season, Morales led the Big Sky in scoring averaging 16.5 points per game. The product of Spanaway, Wash., also knocked down 87 three-pointers and led the conference from the free throw line shooting 90.3 percent.
Dykstra started 31 games last winter and averaged 11.0 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game. In addition, she shot 42.4% from the field and 75.4% from the line. Dykstra had 18 games in double-figure scoring, including a season-high 21 points at Eastern Washington. For her efforts, she garnered All-Big Sky Second Team accolades.
"Esme's and Marah's history in the league speaks for itself," Binford added. "Every day we see them bring their best to the practice gym. They are both going to be a big part of what we do. Bobcat Nation is going to have a fun time watching this team."
Montana State fans can get a look at the 2024-25 Bobcats on Thursday night as the program hosts its annual Blue/Gold scrimmage at 7 p.m. in the Brick Breeden Fieldhouse. The scrimmage is free and open to the public.
2024-25 Big Sky Coaches' Poll
2024-25 Big Sky Preseason Media Poll
2024-25 Big Sky Preseason All-Conference Team
Sophie Glancey, Northern Arizona (MVP)
Esmeralda Morales, Montana State
Marah Dykstra, Montana State
Benthe Versteeg, Sacramento State
Dani Bartsch, Montana
Leia Beattie, Northern Arizona
Montana State returns ten players, including four starters, from last year's squad that posted a 17-16 overall mark – the program's 17th consecutive non-losing season – and a 10-8 in Big Sky record. The Bobcats also added Morales, a First Team All-Big Sky selection at Portland State, along with New Mexico transfer Hannah Robbins. Freshmen Teagan Erickson, Addison Harris and Taylee Chirrick round out the 2024-25 MSU roster.
"There is a lot of great talent in the Big Sky Conference and our goal, and our job, is to finish as the best team," said MSU head coach Tricia Binford, who enters her 20th season at the helm of the Bobcats. "Talent can get beaten every day of the week, so we want to become the best team we're capable of becoming by moving forward every week with our focus on March."
Last season, Morales led the Big Sky in scoring averaging 16.5 points per game. The product of Spanaway, Wash., also knocked down 87 three-pointers and led the conference from the free throw line shooting 90.3 percent.
Dykstra started 31 games last winter and averaged 11.0 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game. In addition, she shot 42.4% from the field and 75.4% from the line. Dykstra had 18 games in double-figure scoring, including a season-high 21 points at Eastern Washington. For her efforts, she garnered All-Big Sky Second Team accolades.
"Esme's and Marah's history in the league speaks for itself," Binford added. "Every day we see them bring their best to the practice gym. They are both going to be a big part of what we do. Bobcat Nation is going to have a fun time watching this team."
Montana State fans can get a look at the 2024-25 Bobcats on Thursday night as the program hosts its annual Blue/Gold scrimmage at 7 p.m. in the Brick Breeden Fieldhouse. The scrimmage is free and open to the public.
2024-25 Big Sky Coaches' Poll
- Northern Arizona (7) – 79
- Montana State (3) – 73
- Montana – 66
- Sacramento State – 48
- Northern Colorado - 47
- Idaho State - 44
- Idaho - 36
- Eastern Washington - 28
- Portland State - 15
- Weber State - 14
2024-25 Big Sky Preseason Media Poll
- Northern Arizona (16) – 246
- Montana State (5) – 227
- Montana (3) – 217
- Idaho State – 143
- Northern Colorado - 136
- Sacramento State - 135
- Eastern Washington (1) - 132
- Idaho - 102
- Weber State - 55
- Portland State - 37
2024-25 Big Sky Preseason All-Conference Team
Sophie Glancey, Northern Arizona (MVP)
Esmeralda Morales, Montana State
Marah Dykstra, Montana State
Benthe Versteeg, Sacramento State
Dani Bartsch, Montana
Leia Beattie, Northern Arizona
Players Mentioned
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