Sunday, March 8
Boise, ID
2:30 pm
Montana State University
vs
Montana
Tricia Binford
Photo by: Brian Morse
Bobcats, Lady Griz Get Together in Big Sky Women's Basketball Tourney on Sunday
3/7/2026 10:09:00 PM | Women's Basketball
MSU faces familiar foe in league tourney
BOISE, Idaho (March 7 2026) – Montana State faces a familiar challenge on Sunday afternoon when the Bobcats and Montana meet each other in the post-season for the 19th time.
MSU and the Lady Griz play at 2:30 pm Sunday in the Big Sky Conference Women's Basketball Tournament 2nd Round. For MSU, it's the second straight league tournament game against their rivals, coming on the heels of last year's 58-57 win in the Big Sky Championship.
While the Lady Griz beat Northern Arizona to advance to Sunday's Cat-Griz showdown, Montana State had a week to focus on itself. MSU head coach Tricia Binford the break from opponent prep was welcome.
"It's quite nice, to be honest," she said. "When you get into a rhythm, a routine of a Thursday and a Saturday, there's so much scout prep that you're focusing on. So there's some things that we can get cleaned up, we can get back to our habits and polis those up, focusing on who we're going to be. It's a good opportunity to focus on improving ourselves and working on a couple of things we might see."
The Bobcats garnered hardware on Friday, when the league named MSU sophomore guard Taylee Chirrick Most Valuable Player and Defensive Player of the Year. Along with All-Big Sky forward Addison Harrison, Chirrick and freshman point guard serve as the engine make the Cats go.
"Our guard play has set the pace, set the tone, both offensively and defensively," Binford said. "That's extremely important. They establish our pace, how aggressive we're going to be, how hard we're going to push the ball. To have multiple guards to rotate, to keep that pace so we don't lose a beat, is really important."
Montana has fought through its share of adversity all season long, with star guard Mack Konig missing nearly a month with an injury. Even Saturday, a handful of UM players, including star forward Avery Waddington, missed the first round game with illness. Konig leads Montana with 14.3 points per game, while Waddington averages 13.4.
Binford said the focus remains where it's been all season for her team. Continually improving and working as a unit remains the key.
"It's going to take everybody," she said. "Like every Big Sky Tournament, when you think of the teams that have advanced, it's sometimes a surprise which kid it's been (that has stepped up) but it's been consistent across the board that our defense is where it starts and we play off that. But it takes (fresh) legs to do that, so that's why you need everybody."
The excitement of March and post-season basketball is settling in, Binford said. "This is what you work for since last spring and during the summer. You've got certain things that are circled on your calendar and everybody's very excited about Boise. One of the things that feels a little bit different (than the regular season) is that our men's team is there, our spirit squad is there, the Spirit of the West band, our fans all travel, it's become a great event that way."
#GoCatsGo
MSU and the Lady Griz play at 2:30 pm Sunday in the Big Sky Conference Women's Basketball Tournament 2nd Round. For MSU, it's the second straight league tournament game against their rivals, coming on the heels of last year's 58-57 win in the Big Sky Championship.
While the Lady Griz beat Northern Arizona to advance to Sunday's Cat-Griz showdown, Montana State had a week to focus on itself. MSU head coach Tricia Binford the break from opponent prep was welcome.
"It's quite nice, to be honest," she said. "When you get into a rhythm, a routine of a Thursday and a Saturday, there's so much scout prep that you're focusing on. So there's some things that we can get cleaned up, we can get back to our habits and polis those up, focusing on who we're going to be. It's a good opportunity to focus on improving ourselves and working on a couple of things we might see."
The Bobcats garnered hardware on Friday, when the league named MSU sophomore guard Taylee Chirrick Most Valuable Player and Defensive Player of the Year. Along with All-Big Sky forward Addison Harrison, Chirrick and freshman point guard serve as the engine make the Cats go.
"Our guard play has set the pace, set the tone, both offensively and defensively," Binford said. "That's extremely important. They establish our pace, how aggressive we're going to be, how hard we're going to push the ball. To have multiple guards to rotate, to keep that pace so we don't lose a beat, is really important."
Montana has fought through its share of adversity all season long, with star guard Mack Konig missing nearly a month with an injury. Even Saturday, a handful of UM players, including star forward Avery Waddington, missed the first round game with illness. Konig leads Montana with 14.3 points per game, while Waddington averages 13.4.
Binford said the focus remains where it's been all season for her team. Continually improving and working as a unit remains the key.
"It's going to take everybody," she said. "Like every Big Sky Tournament, when you think of the teams that have advanced, it's sometimes a surprise which kid it's been (that has stepped up) but it's been consistent across the board that our defense is where it starts and we play off that. But it takes (fresh) legs to do that, so that's why you need everybody."
The excitement of March and post-season basketball is settling in, Binford said. "This is what you work for since last spring and during the summer. You've got certain things that are circled on your calendar and everybody's very excited about Boise. One of the things that feels a little bit different (than the regular season) is that our men's team is there, our spirit squad is there, the Spirit of the West band, our fans all travel, it's become a great event that way."
#GoCatsGo
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