Saturday, January 6
Grand Forks, ND
1 p.m.
Montana State University
at
North Dakota
Sophomore Blaire Braxton
Photo by: Kelly Gorham
Cats Look To Rebound at North Dakota
1/5/2018 3:28:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Montana State will make its final trip to North Dakota on Jan. 6 when it faces the Fighting Hawks at 1 p.m. (MST) in the Betty Engelstad Sioux Center. UND will be joining The Summit League after the 2017-18 campaign.
MSU WBB NOTES l LIVE VIDEO l LIVE STATS
MONTANA STATE (8-6, 2-1) at NORTH DAKOTA (7-7, 0-3)
Date: Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018
Tipoff: 1 p.m. (MST)
Site: Betty Engelstad Center (3,000) * Grand Forks, ND
Radio: 103.5 KISS FM; Play-by-Play with Jason Alvine
Live Video: Pluto TV (ch. 240) or WatchBigSky.com
Live Stats: undsports.com
Live Audio: msubobcats.com/watch
Live TV: Midco Sports Network (midcosn.com) - FOX College Sports
NEXT UP: Montana State will make its final trip to North Dakota on Jan. 6 when it faces the Fighting Hawks at 1 p.m. (MST) in the Betty Engelstad Sioux Center. UND will be joining The Summit League after the 2017-18 campaign.
ON A SERIES NOTE: The Bobcats lead its all-time series with North Dakota 9-5, following a 74-71 overtime win in Grand Forks last year. Montana State was won three of the last four outings in the series which dates back to the 1976-77 season. Head Coach Tricia Binford is 9-4 all-time against the Fighting Hawks. The Cats are 3-5 all-time in Grand Forks.
NO PLACE LIKE HOME: The Cats have the nation's second longest home court win streak. MSU's current 31-game home streak is second only to national power UConn (70). Montana State's last loss in Worthington Arena was a 62-49 decision to San Diego on Nov. 24, 2015.
THE NITTY GRITTY: According to the Dec. 31, 2017 NCAA Nitty-Gritty rankings the Bobcats are currently ranked #211 in the country. The highest Big Sky Conference listing belongs to Northern Colorado at #51, followed by #111 Idaho State, #126 Weber State, #130 Portland State, #147 North Dakota and #183 Idaho. Ranked behind Montana State is #221 Eastern Washington, #227 Sacramento State, #316 Montana, #341 Southern Utah and #340 Northern Arizona. The Bobcats finished the 2016-17 season ranked #59 - its highest finish ever.
QUICK TIP: In the last three games the Cats are 43-of-101 from long distance.
LIGHTS OUT: In its last three games the Bobcats have found its shooting touch registering three of its top five performances of the season. In games against Southern Utah, Northern Arizona and Northern Colorado the Cats have connected on 96-of-195 attempts for an impressive 49.2 percent from the field. In Big Sky Conference games, Montana State leads the league in scoring (80.3 ppg), scoring margin (+16.3), field-goal percentage (.492) and three-point field goals made (14.3).
SATURDAY'S SKINNY: North Dakota is 7-7 overall and still looking for its first Big Sky victory (0-3) of the season after dropping a 54-43 decision to Montana on Thursday night in Grand Forks. The Fighting Hawks have struggled putting points on the board in its last three outings, averaging just 62.7 per game. Over the past four Big Sky seasons, UND is third to the Bobcats in conference wins. The Cats have won 40 games, followed by Eastern Washington 38, and UND and Northern Colorado at 37 victories. This season the Fighting Hawks have been paced by Lexi Klabo, a 6-2 junior from Fargo, N.D. Klabo, who scored 21 points and pulled down eight rebounds against Montana, is averaging 18.9 points and 9.6 boards on the season.
DISHING THE ROCK: Senior Hannah Caudill's 406 career assists is sixth most in Montana State history. She currently has her sights set on establishing the all-time mark of 443 set by Vicki Heebner-Carle from 1980-84. As a sophomore, Caudill led the Big Sky averaging 5.4 assists per contest. She dished out 166 assists, which was second most ever recorded in a single-season at MSU. In addition, Caudill has moved into second all-time in three-point field-goals made with 193 triples and is first all-time in career three-point field-goal percentage hitting at a 39.3% clip. As a junior, Caudill averaged 4.4 assists per game, which ranked fourth in the Big Sky. Her current +1.5 assist-turnover ratio is eighth in the Big Sky Conference. Caudill matched a career-high 24 points to lift MSU to a victory at Long Beach State on Nov. 12. The product of Spokane, Wash., connected on season-high 6-of-9 from beyond the 3-point arc. On MSU's Hawaii trip, Caudill averaged 13.7 points per game. She was in double-digit scoring on two occasions with 19 points at Hawaii and 16 points in MSU's win over Utah State at the Maui Jim Classic. 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 dished out a season best seven assists at Omaha on Nov. 17. She is currently eighth in the Big Sky averaging 3.9 assists per game and her 3.1 three-point makes per contest are fourth best in the league. Caudill is shooting 43.4 percent from long distance, which is fourth in the Big Sky. Last weekend, she had 18 points (all 3s) against So. Utah, but had just three points vs. Northern Arizona. Against Northern Colorado on Thursday, she tallied eight points and a season-high eight assists.
JUNK MAIL: Delany Junkermier recorded a career-high 22 points in Montana State's win over Southern Utah on Dec. 28. She ended the game shooting nine-of-14 from the field, including a four-of-six effort from beyond the arc. In addition, Junkermier pulled down eight rebounds and had two assists, two steals and a blocked shot. Junkermier came out hot against the T-Birds, notching 15 points in the first quarter. On Thursday, she returned to action after sitting out the NAU game and posted her second straight +20 game with 21 points, including four treys against Northern Colorado. The Spokane, Wash., native notched 12 points as Montana State defeated Utah State at the Maui Jim Classic on Dec. 1. Over the course of three games in Hawaii, Junkermier averaged a team-best 6.0 rebounds per contest. In MSU's overtime win against Stephen F. Austin on Dec. 9, Junkermier pulled down a career-high 11 rebounds. The Mead High graduate moved into MSU's top 10 all-time in three-point makes on Thursday. She currently has 114 career three-pointers.
MAD ABOUT YOU: Madeline Smith is off to an impressive start for the Bobcats. The product of Snohomish, Washington is averaging 11.5 points and 9.2 rebounds per game, while shooting 56.6 percent from the field, connecting on 72-129 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. She also notched her second straight double-double hauling down 12 rebounds against the Yellowjackets. Smith is third in the Big Sky Conference in rebounds per game, while her 56.6 percent field-goal percentage is tops in the Big Sky. Her 9.2 rebounds per game is the fourth highest total by a sophomore at the NCAA Division I level so far this season. On Thursday night, she came off the bench to record 19 points at Northern Colorado, converting nine-of-13 from the field.
SECRET BRAXTON FAMILY RECIPE: Blaire Braxton is currently second on the squad averaging 6.0 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 already 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 pulled down three rebounds and added four points against Northern Colorado. 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 1.4 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 6.7 rebounds per game.
HOLY MOLY, OLI: Oliana Squires has started all 14 games and is averaging 10.3 points and 2.7 rebounds per game. The Colorado Springs, Colo., product posted a career-high 20 points in Montana State's win in overtime against Stephen F. Austin. For the game, she connected on a career-high six 3-pointers. Squires is currently second on the squad with 27 triples. In her last six outings, she has averaged 14.3 points a game, including a 17-of-38 effort from beyond the arc. Squires is 13th in the Big Sky shooting 34.5 percent from beyond the arc and her 2.08 3-point field-goals per game is 15th best in the league. Last weekend, Squires averaged 14.5 points, 4.5 assists, 3.5 rebounds and two steals per game. She has 12 points on Thursday at No. Colorado.
HATCHET JOB: Senior Rebekah Hatchard started both game for the Bobcats last weekend and averaged 13.5 points and 5.5 rebounds per game, while shooting 67 percent from the field and a whopping 70 percent from long distance. Against Southern Utah, Hatchard posted a career-high 16 points and seven rebounds in the Bobcat victory. For the game, the senior from Adelaide, Australia connected on six-of-eight from the field and four-of-five from beyond the arc.
THROWING SHAIDE: Redshirt sophomore Madisyn Shaide has played in nine games for the Bobcats. The Missoula Big Sky graduate matched a career-high three points vs. Southern Utah on Thursday night.
THE FRESHMEN FIVE: 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., is averaging 4.7 points per game, but has averaged 7.2 ppg in the last six outings, including a career-best 12 points against Northern Arizona in her first collegiate start. For the season, Pranger is shooting 44.3 percent from the field and is pulling down 3.8 rebounds per contest. She is currently second on the team with 18 blocked shots. Guards Tori Martell and Ashley Van Sickle have combined for 25 three-pointers and are averaging a combined 6.5 points per game. Each had 3 triples and a career-high nine points in MSU's win over Northern Arizona. Guard Coral Gillette and center Janie McRae each played six minutes versus NAU with Gillette hitting a triple and McRae a layin.
BOZEMAN DOWNTOWN ASSOC.: MSU is shooting 36.1 percent from beyond the arc and averaging 9.7 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 147 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 136 three-pointers.
STINGY D: The Bobcat defense evolved into one of the best units in the Big Sky last winter leading the league in four statistical categories. This season has been no different to date. The Cats currently lead the Big Sky in scoring defense (63.6) and three-point field-goal defense (28.4), which is also 32nd in the nation. MSU is also third in rebound margin (3.2). So far this season, the Bobcats have held four teams to under 50 points - Providence (31), Northern Arizona (39),
Wyoming (46), and MSU Billings (47).
THAT'S OFFENSIVE: MSU entered last week averaging just 59.1 points per game. After a slight tweak in its offensive scheme, the Cats have averaged 80.3 points per game in Big Sky Conference play. MSU had its best two shooting nights in history from beyond the arc last week with 34 3-pointers.
MONTANA STATE (8-6, 2-1) at NORTH DAKOTA (7-7, 0-3)
Date: Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018
Tipoff: 1 p.m. (MST)
Site: Betty Engelstad Center (3,000) * Grand Forks, ND
Radio: 103.5 KISS FM; Play-by-Play with Jason Alvine
Live Video: Pluto TV (ch. 240) or WatchBigSky.com
Live Stats: undsports.com
Live Audio: msubobcats.com/watch
Live TV: Midco Sports Network (midcosn.com) - FOX College Sports
NEXT UP: Montana State will make its final trip to North Dakota on Jan. 6 when it faces the Fighting Hawks at 1 p.m. (MST) in the Betty Engelstad Sioux Center. UND will be joining The Summit League after the 2017-18 campaign.
ON A SERIES NOTE: The Bobcats lead its all-time series with North Dakota 9-5, following a 74-71 overtime win in Grand Forks last year. Montana State was won three of the last four outings in the series which dates back to the 1976-77 season. Head Coach Tricia Binford is 9-4 all-time against the Fighting Hawks. The Cats are 3-5 all-time in Grand Forks.
NO PLACE LIKE HOME: The Cats have the nation's second longest home court win streak. MSU's current 31-game home streak is second only to national power UConn (70). Montana State's last loss in Worthington Arena was a 62-49 decision to San Diego on Nov. 24, 2015.
THE NITTY GRITTY: According to the Dec. 31, 2017 NCAA Nitty-Gritty rankings the Bobcats are currently ranked #211 in the country. The highest Big Sky Conference listing belongs to Northern Colorado at #51, followed by #111 Idaho State, #126 Weber State, #130 Portland State, #147 North Dakota and #183 Idaho. Ranked behind Montana State is #221 Eastern Washington, #227 Sacramento State, #316 Montana, #341 Southern Utah and #340 Northern Arizona. The Bobcats finished the 2016-17 season ranked #59 - its highest finish ever.
QUICK TIP: In the last three games the Cats are 43-of-101 from long distance.
LIGHTS OUT: In its last three games the Bobcats have found its shooting touch registering three of its top five performances of the season. In games against Southern Utah, Northern Arizona and Northern Colorado the Cats have connected on 96-of-195 attempts for an impressive 49.2 percent from the field. In Big Sky Conference games, Montana State leads the league in scoring (80.3 ppg), scoring margin (+16.3), field-goal percentage (.492) and three-point field goals made (14.3).
SATURDAY'S SKINNY: North Dakota is 7-7 overall and still looking for its first Big Sky victory (0-3) of the season after dropping a 54-43 decision to Montana on Thursday night in Grand Forks. The Fighting Hawks have struggled putting points on the board in its last three outings, averaging just 62.7 per game. Over the past four Big Sky seasons, UND is third to the Bobcats in conference wins. The Cats have won 40 games, followed by Eastern Washington 38, and UND and Northern Colorado at 37 victories. This season the Fighting Hawks have been paced by Lexi Klabo, a 6-2 junior from Fargo, N.D. Klabo, who scored 21 points and pulled down eight rebounds against Montana, is averaging 18.9 points and 9.6 boards on the season.
DISHING THE ROCK: Senior Hannah Caudill's 406 career assists is sixth most in Montana State history. She currently has her sights set on establishing the all-time mark of 443 set by Vicki Heebner-Carle from 1980-84. As a sophomore, Caudill led the Big Sky averaging 5.4 assists per contest. She dished out 166 assists, which was second most ever recorded in a single-season at MSU. In addition, Caudill has moved into second all-time in three-point field-goals made with 193 triples and is first all-time in career three-point field-goal percentage hitting at a 39.3% clip. As a junior, Caudill averaged 4.4 assists per game, which ranked fourth in the Big Sky. Her current +1.5 assist-turnover ratio is eighth in the Big Sky Conference. Caudill matched a career-high 24 points to lift MSU to a victory at Long Beach State on Nov. 12. The product of Spokane, Wash., connected on season-high 6-of-9 from beyond the 3-point arc. On MSU's Hawaii trip, Caudill averaged 13.7 points per game. She was in double-digit scoring on two occasions with 19 points at Hawaii and 16 points in MSU's win over Utah State at the Maui Jim Classic. 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 dished out a season best seven assists at Omaha on Nov. 17. She is currently eighth in the Big Sky averaging 3.9 assists per game and her 3.1 three-point makes per contest are fourth best in the league. Caudill is shooting 43.4 percent from long distance, which is fourth in the Big Sky. Last weekend, she had 18 points (all 3s) against So. Utah, but had just three points vs. Northern Arizona. Against Northern Colorado on Thursday, she tallied eight points and a season-high eight assists.
JUNK MAIL: Delany Junkermier recorded a career-high 22 points in Montana State's win over Southern Utah on Dec. 28. She ended the game shooting nine-of-14 from the field, including a four-of-six effort from beyond the arc. In addition, Junkermier pulled down eight rebounds and had two assists, two steals and a blocked shot. Junkermier came out hot against the T-Birds, notching 15 points in the first quarter. On Thursday, she returned to action after sitting out the NAU game and posted her second straight +20 game with 21 points, including four treys against Northern Colorado. The Spokane, Wash., native notched 12 points as Montana State defeated Utah State at the Maui Jim Classic on Dec. 1. Over the course of three games in Hawaii, Junkermier averaged a team-best 6.0 rebounds per contest. In MSU's overtime win against Stephen F. Austin on Dec. 9, Junkermier pulled down a career-high 11 rebounds. The Mead High graduate moved into MSU's top 10 all-time in three-point makes on Thursday. She currently has 114 career three-pointers.
MAD ABOUT YOU: Madeline Smith is off to an impressive start for the Bobcats. The product of Snohomish, Washington is averaging 11.5 points and 9.2 rebounds per game, while shooting 56.6 percent from the field, connecting on 72-129 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. She also notched her second straight double-double hauling down 12 rebounds against the Yellowjackets. Smith is third in the Big Sky Conference in rebounds per game, while her 56.6 percent field-goal percentage is tops in the Big Sky. Her 9.2 rebounds per game is the fourth highest total by a sophomore at the NCAA Division I level so far this season. On Thursday night, she came off the bench to record 19 points at Northern Colorado, converting nine-of-13 from the field.
SECRET BRAXTON FAMILY RECIPE: Blaire Braxton is currently second on the squad averaging 6.0 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 already 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 pulled down three rebounds and added four points against Northern Colorado. 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 1.4 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 6.7 rebounds per game.
HOLY MOLY, OLI: Oliana Squires has started all 14 games and is averaging 10.3 points and 2.7 rebounds per game. The Colorado Springs, Colo., product posted a career-high 20 points in Montana State's win in overtime against Stephen F. Austin. For the game, she connected on a career-high six 3-pointers. Squires is currently second on the squad with 27 triples. In her last six outings, she has averaged 14.3 points a game, including a 17-of-38 effort from beyond the arc. Squires is 13th in the Big Sky shooting 34.5 percent from beyond the arc and her 2.08 3-point field-goals per game is 15th best in the league. Last weekend, Squires averaged 14.5 points, 4.5 assists, 3.5 rebounds and two steals per game. She has 12 points on Thursday at No. Colorado.
HATCHET JOB: Senior Rebekah Hatchard started both game for the Bobcats last weekend and averaged 13.5 points and 5.5 rebounds per game, while shooting 67 percent from the field and a whopping 70 percent from long distance. Against Southern Utah, Hatchard posted a career-high 16 points and seven rebounds in the Bobcat victory. For the game, the senior from Adelaide, Australia connected on six-of-eight from the field and four-of-five from beyond the arc.
THROWING SHAIDE: Redshirt sophomore Madisyn Shaide has played in nine games for the Bobcats. The Missoula Big Sky graduate matched a career-high three points vs. Southern Utah on Thursday night.
THE FRESHMEN FIVE: 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., is averaging 4.7 points per game, but has averaged 7.2 ppg in the last six outings, including a career-best 12 points against Northern Arizona in her first collegiate start. For the season, Pranger is shooting 44.3 percent from the field and is pulling down 3.8 rebounds per contest. She is currently second on the team with 18 blocked shots. Guards Tori Martell and Ashley Van Sickle have combined for 25 three-pointers and are averaging a combined 6.5 points per game. Each had 3 triples and a career-high nine points in MSU's win over Northern Arizona. Guard Coral Gillette and center Janie McRae each played six minutes versus NAU with Gillette hitting a triple and McRae a layin.
BOZEMAN DOWNTOWN ASSOC.: MSU is shooting 36.1 percent from beyond the arc and averaging 9.7 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 147 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 136 three-pointers.
STINGY D: The Bobcat defense evolved into one of the best units in the Big Sky last winter leading the league in four statistical categories. This season has been no different to date. The Cats currently lead the Big Sky in scoring defense (63.6) and three-point field-goal defense (28.4), which is also 32nd in the nation. MSU is also third in rebound margin (3.2). So far this season, the Bobcats have held four teams to under 50 points - Providence (31), Northern Arizona (39),
Wyoming (46), and MSU Billings (47).
THAT'S OFFENSIVE: MSU entered last week averaging just 59.1 points per game. After a slight tweak in its offensive scheme, the Cats have averaged 80.3 points per game in Big Sky Conference play. MSU had its best two shooting nights in history from beyond the arc last week with 34 3-pointers.
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