Thursday, February 1
BOZEMAN
7 p.m.
Montana State University
vs
North Dakota
Senior Hannah Caudill
Photo by: R. Dean Hendrickson
Caudill Closes In On All-Time Assists Mark As Cat Women Host UND
1/30/2018 4:42:00 PM | Women's Basketball
The Montana State women’s basketball team will play a pair of home games this week in Worthington Arena. The Bobcats will host North Dakota, Thursday at 7 p.m., and will conclude its home-stand against Northern Colorado, Saturday, Feb. 3 at 2 p.m.
MSU WBB NOTES l UND WBB NOTES l LIVE VIDEO l LIVE STATS
NORTH DAKOTA (10-10, 3-6) at MONTANA STATE (12-8, 6-3)
Date: Thursday, Feb. 1, 2018
Tipoff: 7:05 p.m. p.m. (MST)
Site: Worthington Arena (6,775) * Bozeman, MT
Radio: My 103.5 FM; Play-by-Play with Jason Alvine
Live Video: Pluto TV (ch. 238) or WatchBigSky.com
Live Stats: bobcatstats.com
Live Audio: msubobcats.com/watch
Promo: National Girls & Women in Sports Day; All youth wearing a team shirt or jersey admitted FREE; Girls aged 7-13 can apply to be women's basketball 'behind-the-scene' workers
NORTHERN COLORADO (14-6, 6-3) at MONTANA STATE (12-8, 6-3)
Date: Saturday, Feb. 3, 2018
Tipoff: 2:05 p.m. (MST)
Site: Worthington Arena (6,775) * Bozeman, MT
Radio: My 103.5 FM; Play-by-Play with Jason Alvine
Live Video: Pluto TV (ch. 238) or WatchBigSky.com
Live Stats: bobcatstats.com
Live Audio: msubobcats.com/watch
Promo: Pack the Place in Pink; $5 tickets for anyone wearing visible PINK
NEXT UP: The Montana State women's basketball team will play a pair of home games this week in Worthington Arena. The Bobcats will host North Dakota, Thursday at 7 p.m., and will conclude its home-stand against Northern Colorado, Saturday, Feb. 3 at 2 p.m. Following this week's play, MSU will be on the road for five of its last seven contests of the regular-season.
ON A SERIES NOTE: Montana State is 9-6 all-time against North Dakota dating back to the 1976-77 season. UND defeated MSU (79-70) earlier this season on Jan. 6 in Grand Forks. In their last ten meetings, the Cats hold a slim 6-4 advantage. Montana State is 6-0 all-time against the Fighting Hawks in Worthington Arena. MSU's last win over UND (74-71 ot) was in Grand Forks on Jan. 12, 2017. The Bobcats and Northern Colorado are even at 12-12 dating back to Feb. 22, 1980.
NO PLACE LIKE HOME: The Cats saw the nation's second longest home court win streak snapped against Portland State on Jan. 11. The loss broke MSU's 31-game home streak, which was second to national power UConn (72). Before the loss to the Vikings, Montana State's last defeat in Worthington Arena was a 62-49 decision to San Diego on Nov. 24, 2015. MSU has won 33 of its last 34 games in the Brick Breeden Fieldhouse. On another note, the Cats are averaging 2,615 fans per game, which ranks 46th in the nation and is the second best total in the Big Sky Conference to Montana (3,060) and ahead of programs such as North Carolina, Alabama, Oklahoma State and seven of the twelve Pac-12 schools.
THE NITTY GRITTY: According to the Jan. 29, 2018 NCAA Nitty-Gritty rankings the Bobcats are currently ranked #210 in the country. The highest Big Sky Conference listing belongs to Northern Colorado at #51, followed by #131 Weber State, #133 Portland State, #143 Idaho State, #152 North Dakota, #161 Idaho and #206 Eastern Washington. Ranked behind Montana State is #231 Montana, #273 Sacramento State, #307 Southern Utah and #327 Northern Arizona. The Bobcats finished the 2016-17 season ranked #59 - its highest finish ever.
DISHING THE ROCK: Senior Hannah Caudill's 442 career assists is second most in Montana State history. She currently has her sights set on breaking the all-time mark of 443 set by Vicki Heebner-Carle from 1980-84. In addition, Caudill is second all-time in three-point field-goals made with 210 triples (only the second Bobcat to go over 200 makes) and is first all-time in career three-point field-goal percentage hitting at a 39.4% clip. As a junior, Caudill averaged 4.4 assists per game, which ranked fourth in the Big Sky. As a sophomore, she led the league averaging 5.4 assists per contest. She dished out 166 assists, which was second most ever recorded in a single-season at MSU. Her current +1.76 assist-turnover ratio is third in the Big Sky Conference. Caudill matched a career-high 24 points at North Dakota on Jan.6, connecting on nine-of-19 from the field, including four 3-pointers. The product of Spokane, Wash., has connected on season-high six 3-pointers against both Long Beach State and Southern Utah. Caudill was named to the Oregon State/Maui Jim Classic All-Tournament team after averaging 11 points and two assists per game. Caudill guided MSU to a win over Wyoming on Nov. 29 with a 19-point effort, which included a four-of-five showing from beyond the arc. Caudill posted a season-best nine assists at Southern Utah on Saturday afternoon. She is currently fourth in the Big Sky averaging 4.5 assists per game and her 3.0 three-point makes per contest are fourth best in the league. Caudill is shooting 42.3 percent from long distance, which is second in the Big Sky. On Thursday, she posted 11 points and seven assists in MSU's win at Northern Arizona. Caudill currently leads the Big Sky Conference averaging 6.0 assists in league only games. She also ranks in the top five in three-point field-goal makes and assist/turnover ratio.
JUNK MAIL: Delany Junkermier recorded a career-high 23 points in Montana State's win over Sacramento State on Jan. 13. Against the Hornets, she shot seven-of-12 from the field, including a five-of-six effort from beyond the arc. In her last her seven games, she has posted 20 or more points on three occasions. Over that span, Junkermier is averaging 16.1 points per game, while shooting 50.6 percent from the field and connecting on 25 3-pointers. The Mead High graduate is currently first in the Big Sky in 3-point field-goal percentage (.543), fourth in three-point field goal makes per game (3.1), tenth in scoring (16.1) and 12th in field-goal percentage (.506). Junkermier moved into seventh on MSU's all-time Top 10 3-point makes list on Saturday. She currently has 131 career three-pointers. On Saturday, Junkermier tallied 13 points and ten rebounds for her first double-double of the season. She also connected on three 3-pointers and added two assists and a steal in 37 minutes of action.
MAD ABOUT YOU: Madeline Smith is making an impact in her second season with the Bobcats. The product of Snohomish, Washington is averaging 11.4 points and 9.0 rebounds per game, while shooting 51.3 percent from the field, connecting on 98-191 attempts. Against Omaha on Nov. 17, Smith recorded her first-ever double-double with 18 points to go along with 14 rebounds. Smith pulled down a career-high 19 rebounds against Providence on Nov. 15, which was just two shy of the Bobcat school-record of 21 set by Cass Bauer in 1994. On Nov. 25, Smith registered a career-high 23 points in MSU's win over MSU Billings. For the game, she connected on 11-16 from the field and went one-of-one at the line. Smith is second in the Big Sky in rebounds per game, while her 51.3 percent field-goal percentage is also second best. Her 9.0 rebounds per game is the 12th highest total by a sophomore at the NCAA Division I level so far this season. At Northern Arizona, Smith recorded ten points and ten rebounds for her fifth double-double of the season. On Saturday, she registered 16 points on seven of eight from the floor.
HOLY MOLY, OLI: Oliana Squires has started all 20 games and is averaging 10.8 points and 3.2 rebounds per game. The Colorado Springs, Colo., product posted a career-high 21 points in Montana State's win over Northern Arizona last Thursday night. For the game, she connected on eight-of-14 from the field, including a five-of-eight effort from long distance. Squires is currently second on the squad with 44 triples. On Saturday at Southern Utah, Squires saw her streak of 11 consecutive double-figure scoring games snapped as the T-Birds held her to seven points. Squires is sixth in the Big Sky shooting 42 percent from beyond the arc and her 2.3 3-point field-goals per game is ninth best in the league.
HATCHET JOB: Senior Rebekah Hatchard has started the last nine games for the Bobcats and has averaged 9.8 points and 4.3 rebounds per game over that span. Hatchard recorded a career-high 17 points at North Dakota on Jan. 6, connecting on seven-of-10 from the field and three-of-three from the free throw line. She is currently shooting 37.8 percent from beyond the arc, going 12-of-27 from long distance in the last nine games, which ranks fourth in the Big Sky Conference. On Saturday afternoon, Hatchard recorded six points - on two 3-pointers- and hauled down four rebounds in MSU's win over Southern Utah.
SECRET BRAXTON FAMILY RECIPE: Blaire Braxton is currently second on the squad averaging 5.5 boards per contest. Last season as a true-freshman, Braxton started all 32 games and averaged 6.8 rebounds per game. The Highlands Ranch, Colo., product has recorded two games with 10 rebounds or more this season. Last winter, Braxton registered four double-digit rebounding games, including a career-high 14 boards at Sacramento State. On Thursday night, Braxton matched a season-high eight points in MSU's win over Northern Arizona. For the game, she connected on three-of-seven from the field. Braxton swatted a career-high five blocks against Wyoming on Nov. 29. Braxton recorded a career-high five assists in MSU's win over Long Beach State. Her current 1.45 blocks per game is fifth in the Big Sky and ranks 127th overall. Braxton's brother Zach is currently in his third season at Big Sky rival Weber State. The elder Braxton is also a force under the boards, averaging 7.6 rebounds per game.
THROWING SHAIDE: Sophomore Madisyn Shaide is averaging 2.9 minutes per game. The Missoula Big Sky grad has played in 12 games this season. Shaide saw her most action of the year against Northern Arizona on Thursday, logging 12 minutes and notching three points and two rebounds.
FAB FROSH: All five of Montana State's freshmen have made an impact this season. Leading the contingent is 6-2 forward Laura Pranger. The product of Centennial, Colo., received her first collegiate start against Northern Arizona on Dec. 30 and notched a career-best 12 points connecting on five-of-six from the field and two-of-two from three-point range. For the season, Pranger is shooting 41.4 percent from the field and is pulling down 3.4 rebounds per contest. She is currently third on the team with 20 blocked shots. Guards Tori Martell and Ashley Van Sickle have combined for 34 three-pointers and are averaging a combined 6.2 points per game. Van Sickle went three-of-four from long distance in MSU's win over Montana last Saturday, while Martell posted seven points and four rebounds against Northern Arizona on Thursday night.
BOZEMAN DOWNTOWN ASSOC.: MSU is shooting 36.7 percent from beyond the arc and averaging 10 makes per game. Against Southern Utah on Dec. 28, the Cats set a new school-record with 18 three-pointers. MSU came out hot against the T-Birds, converting nine triples in the opening quarter. As a team, MSU has recorded at least one 3-pointer in the last 153 consecutive games. The last time the Cats were held without a trey was Jan. 24, 2013 (0-9) at Weber State. Last season, MSU's 245 3-pointers were a school-record. The Cats currently have made 199 three-pointers.
STINGY D: The Bobcat defense evolved into one of the best units in the Big Sky Conference last winter leading the league in four statistical categories. This season has been no different. The Cats are currently tops in the league (8th in the nation) in 3-point field goal percentage defense (26.5) and scoring defense (61.7). MSU is also second in field-goal percentage defense (38.0) and blocked shots (84). So far this season, the Bobcats have held five teams to 50 points or less - Providence (31), Northern Arizona (39), Wyoming (46), MSU Billings (47) and Sacramento State (50).
THAT'S OFFENSIVE: The Bobcats are seventh in the nation averaging 10 three-pointers a game; 12th in 3-pointers made with 199; 19th in 3-point field-goal attempts and 35th in 3-point FG percentage at 36.7.
NORTH DAKOTA (10-10, 3-6) at MONTANA STATE (12-8, 6-3)
Date: Thursday, Feb. 1, 2018
Tipoff: 7:05 p.m. p.m. (MST)
Site: Worthington Arena (6,775) * Bozeman, MT
Radio: My 103.5 FM; Play-by-Play with Jason Alvine
Live Video: Pluto TV (ch. 238) or WatchBigSky.com
Live Stats: bobcatstats.com
Live Audio: msubobcats.com/watch
Promo: National Girls & Women in Sports Day; All youth wearing a team shirt or jersey admitted FREE; Girls aged 7-13 can apply to be women's basketball 'behind-the-scene' workers
NORTHERN COLORADO (14-6, 6-3) at MONTANA STATE (12-8, 6-3)
Date: Saturday, Feb. 3, 2018
Tipoff: 2:05 p.m. (MST)
Site: Worthington Arena (6,775) * Bozeman, MT
Radio: My 103.5 FM; Play-by-Play with Jason Alvine
Live Video: Pluto TV (ch. 238) or WatchBigSky.com
Live Stats: bobcatstats.com
Live Audio: msubobcats.com/watch
Promo: Pack the Place in Pink; $5 tickets for anyone wearing visible PINK
NEXT UP: The Montana State women's basketball team will play a pair of home games this week in Worthington Arena. The Bobcats will host North Dakota, Thursday at 7 p.m., and will conclude its home-stand against Northern Colorado, Saturday, Feb. 3 at 2 p.m. Following this week's play, MSU will be on the road for five of its last seven contests of the regular-season.
ON A SERIES NOTE: Montana State is 9-6 all-time against North Dakota dating back to the 1976-77 season. UND defeated MSU (79-70) earlier this season on Jan. 6 in Grand Forks. In their last ten meetings, the Cats hold a slim 6-4 advantage. Montana State is 6-0 all-time against the Fighting Hawks in Worthington Arena. MSU's last win over UND (74-71 ot) was in Grand Forks on Jan. 12, 2017. The Bobcats and Northern Colorado are even at 12-12 dating back to Feb. 22, 1980.
NO PLACE LIKE HOME: The Cats saw the nation's second longest home court win streak snapped against Portland State on Jan. 11. The loss broke MSU's 31-game home streak, which was second to national power UConn (72). Before the loss to the Vikings, Montana State's last defeat in Worthington Arena was a 62-49 decision to San Diego on Nov. 24, 2015. MSU has won 33 of its last 34 games in the Brick Breeden Fieldhouse. On another note, the Cats are averaging 2,615 fans per game, which ranks 46th in the nation and is the second best total in the Big Sky Conference to Montana (3,060) and ahead of programs such as North Carolina, Alabama, Oklahoma State and seven of the twelve Pac-12 schools.
THE NITTY GRITTY: According to the Jan. 29, 2018 NCAA Nitty-Gritty rankings the Bobcats are currently ranked #210 in the country. The highest Big Sky Conference listing belongs to Northern Colorado at #51, followed by #131 Weber State, #133 Portland State, #143 Idaho State, #152 North Dakota, #161 Idaho and #206 Eastern Washington. Ranked behind Montana State is #231 Montana, #273 Sacramento State, #307 Southern Utah and #327 Northern Arizona. The Bobcats finished the 2016-17 season ranked #59 - its highest finish ever.
DISHING THE ROCK: Senior Hannah Caudill's 442 career assists is second most in Montana State history. She currently has her sights set on breaking the all-time mark of 443 set by Vicki Heebner-Carle from 1980-84. In addition, Caudill is second all-time in three-point field-goals made with 210 triples (only the second Bobcat to go over 200 makes) and is first all-time in career three-point field-goal percentage hitting at a 39.4% clip. As a junior, Caudill averaged 4.4 assists per game, which ranked fourth in the Big Sky. As a sophomore, she led the league averaging 5.4 assists per contest. She dished out 166 assists, which was second most ever recorded in a single-season at MSU. Her current +1.76 assist-turnover ratio is third in the Big Sky Conference. Caudill matched a career-high 24 points at North Dakota on Jan.6, connecting on nine-of-19 from the field, including four 3-pointers. The product of Spokane, Wash., has connected on season-high six 3-pointers against both Long Beach State and Southern Utah. Caudill was named to the Oregon State/Maui Jim Classic All-Tournament team after averaging 11 points and two assists per game. Caudill guided MSU to a win over Wyoming on Nov. 29 with a 19-point effort, which included a four-of-five showing from beyond the arc. Caudill posted a season-best nine assists at Southern Utah on Saturday afternoon. She is currently fourth in the Big Sky averaging 4.5 assists per game and her 3.0 three-point makes per contest are fourth best in the league. Caudill is shooting 42.3 percent from long distance, which is second in the Big Sky. On Thursday, she posted 11 points and seven assists in MSU's win at Northern Arizona. Caudill currently leads the Big Sky Conference averaging 6.0 assists in league only games. She also ranks in the top five in three-point field-goal makes and assist/turnover ratio.
JUNK MAIL: Delany Junkermier recorded a career-high 23 points in Montana State's win over Sacramento State on Jan. 13. Against the Hornets, she shot seven-of-12 from the field, including a five-of-six effort from beyond the arc. In her last her seven games, she has posted 20 or more points on three occasions. Over that span, Junkermier is averaging 16.1 points per game, while shooting 50.6 percent from the field and connecting on 25 3-pointers. The Mead High graduate is currently first in the Big Sky in 3-point field-goal percentage (.543), fourth in three-point field goal makes per game (3.1), tenth in scoring (16.1) and 12th in field-goal percentage (.506). Junkermier moved into seventh on MSU's all-time Top 10 3-point makes list on Saturday. She currently has 131 career three-pointers. On Saturday, Junkermier tallied 13 points and ten rebounds for her first double-double of the season. She also connected on three 3-pointers and added two assists and a steal in 37 minutes of action.
MAD ABOUT YOU: Madeline Smith is making an impact in her second season with the Bobcats. The product of Snohomish, Washington is averaging 11.4 points and 9.0 rebounds per game, while shooting 51.3 percent from the field, connecting on 98-191 attempts. Against Omaha on Nov. 17, Smith recorded her first-ever double-double with 18 points to go along with 14 rebounds. Smith pulled down a career-high 19 rebounds against Providence on Nov. 15, which was just two shy of the Bobcat school-record of 21 set by Cass Bauer in 1994. On Nov. 25, Smith registered a career-high 23 points in MSU's win over MSU Billings. For the game, she connected on 11-16 from the field and went one-of-one at the line. Smith is second in the Big Sky in rebounds per game, while her 51.3 percent field-goal percentage is also second best. Her 9.0 rebounds per game is the 12th highest total by a sophomore at the NCAA Division I level so far this season. At Northern Arizona, Smith recorded ten points and ten rebounds for her fifth double-double of the season. On Saturday, she registered 16 points on seven of eight from the floor.
HOLY MOLY, OLI: Oliana Squires has started all 20 games and is averaging 10.8 points and 3.2 rebounds per game. The Colorado Springs, Colo., product posted a career-high 21 points in Montana State's win over Northern Arizona last Thursday night. For the game, she connected on eight-of-14 from the field, including a five-of-eight effort from long distance. Squires is currently second on the squad with 44 triples. On Saturday at Southern Utah, Squires saw her streak of 11 consecutive double-figure scoring games snapped as the T-Birds held her to seven points. Squires is sixth in the Big Sky shooting 42 percent from beyond the arc and her 2.3 3-point field-goals per game is ninth best in the league.
HATCHET JOB: Senior Rebekah Hatchard has started the last nine games for the Bobcats and has averaged 9.8 points and 4.3 rebounds per game over that span. Hatchard recorded a career-high 17 points at North Dakota on Jan. 6, connecting on seven-of-10 from the field and three-of-three from the free throw line. She is currently shooting 37.8 percent from beyond the arc, going 12-of-27 from long distance in the last nine games, which ranks fourth in the Big Sky Conference. On Saturday afternoon, Hatchard recorded six points - on two 3-pointers- and hauled down four rebounds in MSU's win over Southern Utah.
SECRET BRAXTON FAMILY RECIPE: Blaire Braxton is currently second on the squad averaging 5.5 boards per contest. Last season as a true-freshman, Braxton started all 32 games and averaged 6.8 rebounds per game. The Highlands Ranch, Colo., product has recorded two games with 10 rebounds or more this season. Last winter, Braxton registered four double-digit rebounding games, including a career-high 14 boards at Sacramento State. On Thursday night, Braxton matched a season-high eight points in MSU's win over Northern Arizona. For the game, she connected on three-of-seven from the field. Braxton swatted a career-high five blocks against Wyoming on Nov. 29. Braxton recorded a career-high five assists in MSU's win over Long Beach State. Her current 1.45 blocks per game is fifth in the Big Sky and ranks 127th overall. Braxton's brother Zach is currently in his third season at Big Sky rival Weber State. The elder Braxton is also a force under the boards, averaging 7.6 rebounds per game.
THROWING SHAIDE: Sophomore Madisyn Shaide is averaging 2.9 minutes per game. The Missoula Big Sky grad has played in 12 games this season. Shaide saw her most action of the year against Northern Arizona on Thursday, logging 12 minutes and notching three points and two rebounds.
FAB FROSH: All five of Montana State's freshmen have made an impact this season. Leading the contingent is 6-2 forward Laura Pranger. The product of Centennial, Colo., received her first collegiate start against Northern Arizona on Dec. 30 and notched a career-best 12 points connecting on five-of-six from the field and two-of-two from three-point range. For the season, Pranger is shooting 41.4 percent from the field and is pulling down 3.4 rebounds per contest. She is currently third on the team with 20 blocked shots. Guards Tori Martell and Ashley Van Sickle have combined for 34 three-pointers and are averaging a combined 6.2 points per game. Van Sickle went three-of-four from long distance in MSU's win over Montana last Saturday, while Martell posted seven points and four rebounds against Northern Arizona on Thursday night.
BOZEMAN DOWNTOWN ASSOC.: MSU is shooting 36.7 percent from beyond the arc and averaging 10 makes per game. Against Southern Utah on Dec. 28, the Cats set a new school-record with 18 three-pointers. MSU came out hot against the T-Birds, converting nine triples in the opening quarter. As a team, MSU has recorded at least one 3-pointer in the last 153 consecutive games. The last time the Cats were held without a trey was Jan. 24, 2013 (0-9) at Weber State. Last season, MSU's 245 3-pointers were a school-record. The Cats currently have made 199 three-pointers.
STINGY D: The Bobcat defense evolved into one of the best units in the Big Sky Conference last winter leading the league in four statistical categories. This season has been no different. The Cats are currently tops in the league (8th in the nation) in 3-point field goal percentage defense (26.5) and scoring defense (61.7). MSU is also second in field-goal percentage defense (38.0) and blocked shots (84). So far this season, the Bobcats have held five teams to 50 points or less - Providence (31), Northern Arizona (39), Wyoming (46), MSU Billings (47) and Sacramento State (50).
THAT'S OFFENSIVE: The Bobcats are seventh in the nation averaging 10 three-pointers a game; 12th in 3-pointers made with 199; 19th in 3-point field-goal attempts and 35th in 3-point FG percentage at 36.7.
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