Thursday, January 29
BOZEMAN
7 p.m.
Montana State University
15-5,8-1Big Sky
66
vs
31
Sacramento State
10-11,4-4Big Sky
1
2
3
4
F
Sacramento St.
6
7
8
10
31
Montana St.
26
12
14
14
66
Addison Harris
Photo by: Bobcat Creative Services
Bobcats Use Stifling Defense to Post Historic 66-31 Win Over Sacramento State
1/29/2026 10:15:00 PM | Women's Basketball
MSU holds Hornets to fewest points scored against the Cats by a Big Sky foe
BOZEMAN, Mont. (Jan. 29, 2026) – Montana State scored the game's first 13 points and never let up, cruising to a 66-31 win over Sacramento State in Worthington Arena on Thursday.
The Hornets' 31 points stand as the fewest ever allowed by the Cats against a Big Sky opponent, and MSU did it in every way imaginable. The Bobcats held Sac State to 26 percent shooting, forced 21 turnovers, ran up a 45-to-28 rebounding advantage, and allowed just one made three-pointer.
MSU's defensive effort was as consistent as it was devastating. The Cats held Sacramento State to six points in the first quarter, seven in the second, eight in the third, and 10 in the fourth. The Hornets didn't shoot better than 27.3 percent in any single period.
"What was great about this step for a very young team was that they competed with relentlessness," Binford said, "but with discipline on some of the risks we've been taking. I thought that was a turning point today."
While Montana State creates havoc with full-court pressure defense, Bobcat head coach Tricia Binford credited her team's halfcourt work on Thursday. "We took less risk in the frontcourt and that helped us make sure we were guarding our yard better," she said. "We were not taking so many chances on reaching on ballhandling. We really addressed guarding one-on-one."
The defense played consistently well all night, but MSU's peak offensive performance came early. And it provided a knockout blow. The Cats shot 60 percent in the first quarter, and led 26-6 at its completion.
The Bobcats have rode the wave of quick starts in recent home games, and Binford has a theory. "I'd like to credit our crowd," she said of the 2,148 fans that made their presence felt throughout the evening. "Our crowd was great today. It was tremendous."
Addison Harris scored 14 points to lead all players, most coming on a dizzying array of low-post moves. Taylee Chirrick recorded 12 points, seven rebounds, five assists and five steals. Brianne Bailey notched 12 points off the bench.
"We've been challenging our bench on their consistency and winning in that area," Binford said. "When your bench can win (by increasing the lead) when they're in, then that's a huge advantage. Our bench is gradually getting more and more consistent."
Montana State raised its record to 15-5 overall and 8-1 in the Big Sky on Thursday, while Sacramento State fell to 10-11, 4-4. The Cats return to action on Saturday, hosting Portland State at 2 pm in Worthington Arena.
#GoCatsGo
The Hornets' 31 points stand as the fewest ever allowed by the Cats against a Big Sky opponent, and MSU did it in every way imaginable. The Bobcats held Sac State to 26 percent shooting, forced 21 turnovers, ran up a 45-to-28 rebounding advantage, and allowed just one made three-pointer.
MSU's defensive effort was as consistent as it was devastating. The Cats held Sacramento State to six points in the first quarter, seven in the second, eight in the third, and 10 in the fourth. The Hornets didn't shoot better than 27.3 percent in any single period.
"What was great about this step for a very young team was that they competed with relentlessness," Binford said, "but with discipline on some of the risks we've been taking. I thought that was a turning point today."
While Montana State creates havoc with full-court pressure defense, Bobcat head coach Tricia Binford credited her team's halfcourt work on Thursday. "We took less risk in the frontcourt and that helped us make sure we were guarding our yard better," she said. "We were not taking so many chances on reaching on ballhandling. We really addressed guarding one-on-one."
The defense played consistently well all night, but MSU's peak offensive performance came early. And it provided a knockout blow. The Cats shot 60 percent in the first quarter, and led 26-6 at its completion.
The Bobcats have rode the wave of quick starts in recent home games, and Binford has a theory. "I'd like to credit our crowd," she said of the 2,148 fans that made their presence felt throughout the evening. "Our crowd was great today. It was tremendous."
Addison Harris scored 14 points to lead all players, most coming on a dizzying array of low-post moves. Taylee Chirrick recorded 12 points, seven rebounds, five assists and five steals. Brianne Bailey notched 12 points off the bench.
"We've been challenging our bench on their consistency and winning in that area," Binford said. "When your bench can win (by increasing the lead) when they're in, then that's a huge advantage. Our bench is gradually getting more and more consistent."
Montana State raised its record to 15-5 overall and 8-1 in the Big Sky on Thursday, while Sacramento State fell to 10-11, 4-4. The Cats return to action on Saturday, hosting Portland State at 2 pm in Worthington Arena.
#GoCatsGo
Team Stats
SacSt
MSU
FG%
.261
.429
3FG%
.053
.222
FT%
.750
.750
RB
28
45
TO
21
13
STL
8
13
Game Leaders
Pts
14
FGM
6
3FGM
1
FTM
1
Pts
12
FGM
6
3FGM
0
FTM
0
Pts
12
FGM
4
3FGM
0
FTM
4
Pts
9
FGM
4
3FGM
1
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
G
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