Wednesday, February 28
Pocatello, ID
7 p.m.
Montana State University
at
Idaho State
Freshman Laura Pranger
Photo by: Andrew Pedersen
Cat Women Conclude Big Sky Season on the Road
2/25/2018 12:01:00 PM | Women's Basketball
The Montana State women’s basketball team will play its final two regular-season games on the road this making the I-15 trek. The Bobcats will face Idaho State in Pocatello on Wednesday, Feb. 28 at 7 p.m. in Reed Gym.
MSU WBB NOTES
MONTANA STATE (14-12, 8-7) at IDAHO STATE (18-9, 10-6)
Date: Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018
Tipoff: 7:05 p.m. (MST)
Site: Reed Gym (3,040) * Pocatello, ID
Radio: 1450 AM; Play-by-Play with Jason Alvine
Live Video: Pluto TV (ch. 243) or WatchBigSky.com
Live Stats: isubengals.com
Live Audio: msubobcats.com/watch
Live TV: None
MONTANA STATE (14-12, 8-7) at WEBER STATE (18-9, 10-6)
Date: Friday, March 2, 2018
Tipoff: 7:05 p.m. (MST)
Site: Dee Events Center (12,000) * Ogden, UT
Radio: 1450 AM; Play-by-Play with Jason Alvine
Live Video: Pluto TV (ch. 235) or WatchBigSky.com
Live Stats: weberstatesports.com
Live Audio: msubobcats.com/watch
Live TV: None
NEXT UP: The Montana State women's basketball team will play its final two regular-season games on the road this making the I-15 trek. The Bobcats will face Idaho State in Pocatello on Wednesday, Feb. 28 at 7 p.m. in Reed Gym. MSU will conclude Big Sky play at Weber State in Ogden, Utah, on Friday, March 2 at 7 p.m. in the Dee Events Center. MSU plans to fly to Reno, Nevada for the Big Sky Conference Tournament on Saturday afternoon.
ON A SERIES NOTE: Montana State holds a 43-35 advantage in its all-time series with Idaho State dating back to the 1977-78 season. The Bobcats have won the last two meetings, including a 62-56 victory over the Bengals in the Big Sky Conference Tournament championship game in Reno, Nevada, last season. The win gave Montana State its first Big Sky title in 24 years and its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1993. The Bobcats will look to break a four-game losing streak in Reed Gym. MSU's last win in Pocatello was a 79-67 overtime decision on Feb. 2, 2012. The two teams have had three overtime games in the last 12 meetings.
THE NITTY GRITTY: According to the Feb. 24, 2018 NCAA Nitty-Gritty rankings the Bobcats are currently ranked #230 in the country. The highest Big Sky Conference listing belongs to Northern Colorado at #38. The Bears are followed by #134 Idaho State, #137 Portland State, #145 Eastern Washington, #148 Idaho, #155 Weber State and #164 North Dakota. Ranked behind Montana State is #239 Montana, #289 Sacramento State, #303 Northern Arizona and #328 Southern Utah. The Bobcats finished the 2016-17 season ranked #59 - its highest finish ever.
BREAKING VINYL: Senior Hannah Caudill set the all-time mark for career assists when she dished out eight in MSU's win over North Dakota on Feb. 1. The Spokane, Wash., product now has 489 career assists, which surpassed the old mark of 443 set by Vicki Heebner-Carle from 1980-84. Her current total is also 12th best in Big Sky Conference history as she moved passed Kelly Pilcher of Montana (1990-94) with ten assists against Eastern Washington on Saturday. Additionally, Caudill became the 23rd member of MSU's 1000-point club on Feb. 17 against EWU.
DISHING THE ROCK: Senior Hannah Caudill's set the all-time Montana State assists record at the 6:10 mark of the opening quarter against North Dakota on Feb. 1 when she found Blaire Braxton on the right block. Caudill finished the game with eight assists. She now has 489 career assists. In addition, Caudill is second all-time in three-point field-goals made with 227 triples (only the second Bobcat to go over 200 makes) and is also first all-time in career three-point field-goal percentage hitting at a 38.9 percent clip. Caudill posted a season-best 10 assists against Eastern Washington on Feb. 17 and dished out seven assists in MSU's loss at Montana on Saturday. She currently ranks first in the Big Sky averaging 5.1 assists per game. Her 2.7 three-point makes per contest are fourth best in the league. Caudill's current +2.3 assist-turnover ratio is fourth in the Big Sky. 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-best six 3-pointers on three occasions this winter; coming against Long Beach State, Southern Utah and Montana, last Saturday. Caudill was named to the Oregon State/Maui Jim Classic All-Tournament team after averaging 11 points and two assists per game. On Feb. 17, she posted 10 points against Eastern Washington to become the 23rd member of MSU's 1,000-point club. With her 20-point output at Montana on Saturday, Caudill's current total of 1,025 points is tied for 20th all-time with former All-Big Sky Conference performer Nubia Garcia (2005-09).
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 15 games, she has posted 20 or more points on three occasions and has been in double-figure scoring on 14 occasions this season. Junkermier is averaging 14.8 points per game, while shooting 48.2 percent from the field and has connected on 38 3-pointers in Big Sky Conference games. The Mead High graduate is currently third in the Big Sky in 3-point field-goal percentage (.463), sixth in three-point field goal makes per game (2.5), tenth in field-goal percentage (.482) and 13th in scoring (14.8). Junkermier moved into fifth on MSU's all-time top 10 3-point makes list on Saturday. She currently has 144 career three-pointers. On Saturday, Junkermier tallied six points, three rebounds and two assists at Montana.
MAD ABOUT YOU: Madeline Smith is making an impact in her second season with the Bobcats. The product of Snohomish, Washington is averaging 11 points and 7.8 rebounds per game, while shooting 51.9 percent from the field, connecting on 124-239 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 seventh in the Big Sky in rebounds per game, while her 51.9 percent field-goal percentage is second best. Her 7.8 rebounds per game is the top 30 in the nation by second-year players. Smith has 17 double-figure scoring game this season, including five double-doubles. On Saturday, Smith registered nine points and four rebounds in MSU's loss at Montana.
HOLY MOLY, OLI: Oliana Squires has started all 27 games and is averaging 10.1 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 on Jan. 25. 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 57 triples. On. Jan 27 at Southern Utah, Squires saw her streak of 11 consecutive double-figure scoring games snapped as the Thunderbirds held her to seven points. Squires broke her streak of five consecutive games in single-figure scoring with a 19-point outburst against Montana on Saturday afternoon. For the game, the former San Creek High School standout connected on six-of-13 from the field and five-of-nine from beyond the arc. Squires also dished out five assists, while notching a block and a steal in 33 minutes of action.
HATCHET JOB: Senior Rebekah Hatchard has started the last 16 games for the Bobcats and has averaged 10.1 points and 3.7 rebounds per game over that span. Hatchard recorded a career-high 18 points against North Dakota on Feb. 1, connecting on seven-of-10 from the field and three-of-six from long distance. She is currently shooting 37.9 percent from beyond the arc, connecting on 22-58, which ranks 13th in the Big Sky. In addition, the native of Adelaide, Australia is seventh in the Big Sky in field-goal percentage hitting at a 49.2 percent clip. On Saturday, she logged just two points, while pulling down four rebounds and adding two assists and two steals. Hatchard has posted 10 double-digit scoring games this winter.
SECRET BRAXTON FAMILY RECIPE: Blaire Braxton is currently third on the squad averaging 5.0 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 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. This winter, Braxton swatted a career-high five blocks against Wyoming on Nov. 29 and she recorded a career-high five assists in MSU's win over Long Beach State. Her current 1.19 blocks per game is eighth in the Big Sky and ranks 182nd in the nation. Last Saturday, she pulled down three rebounds and had two points in 16 minutes of play. 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 7.7 rebounds per game.
THROWING SHAIDE: Sophomore Madisyn Shaide is averaging 2.7 minutes per game. The Missoula Big Sky grad has played in 15 games this season. Shaide logged 12 minutes at Northern Arizona on Jan. 25 and notched three points and two rebounds.
FAB FROSH: All five of Montana State's freshmen have made an impact this season. Leading the contingent is 5-8 guard Tori Martell who has found her stroke from long distance over the past three weeks. The product of Somerset, Wis., is fourth on the team with 31 three-pointers. Over the past four games, Martell has averaged 11.0 points, while shooting 56 percent (14-25) from long distance. Against Eastern Washington on Feb. 17, Martell notched a season-high 18 points, all from beyond the arc. Laura Pranger, a 6-2 forward from 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 44.9 percent from the field and is averaging 4.0 points and 3.2 rebounds per contest. She is currently third on the team with 22 blocked shots. Last Saturday, Pranger had two points and two rebounds at Montana. Ashley Van Sickle, along with Martell, have combined for 52 three-pointers and are averaging a combined 7.0 points per game. Van Sickle was held scoreless at Montana on Saturday in five minutes of action. Coral Gillette and Janie McRae have played in 13 and 12 games, respectively.
BOZEMAN DOWNTOWN ASSOC.: MSU is shooting 36.6 percent from beyond the arc and averaging 10.2 makes per game, which is fifth highest in the nation. Against Southern Utah on Dec. 28, MSU set a school-record with 18 three-pointers, including nine triples in the opening quarter. As a team, MSU has recorded at least one three-pointer in the last 160 consecutive games. The last time the Bobcats were held without a trey was Jan. 24, 2013 (0-9) at Weber State. On Feb. 15 against Idaho the Bobcats established a school-record as its 14 three-pointers gave them 248 triples on the season to surpass last year's record of 245 3-pointers. MSU's current total on the season is 275 three-point makes. The mark is the sixth best in the country.
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. The Cats are currently second in three-point field-goal percentage defense (29.8), and fourth in blocked shots (146), blocked shots per game (3.6) and scoring defense (65.7). So far this season, the Bobcats have held five teams to 50 points or less - Providence (31), No. Arizona (39), Wyoming (46), MSU Billings (47) and Sacramento State (50).
THAT'S OFFENSIVE: Montana State has been lighting it up from beyond the arc this season. The Cats are currently fifth in the nation averaging 10.2 3-point field-goals per game; sixth in the country in three-point makes with 275; 14th in the nation in 3-point field-goals attempted at 752; and 39th overall in 3-point percentage hitting at a 36.6 percent clip. MSU also leads the league in assists (423) and assists per game (15.7).
MONTANA STATE (14-12, 8-7) at IDAHO STATE (18-9, 10-6)
Date: Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018
Tipoff: 7:05 p.m. (MST)
Site: Reed Gym (3,040) * Pocatello, ID
Radio: 1450 AM; Play-by-Play with Jason Alvine
Live Video: Pluto TV (ch. 243) or WatchBigSky.com
Live Stats: isubengals.com
Live Audio: msubobcats.com/watch
Live TV: None
MONTANA STATE (14-12, 8-7) at WEBER STATE (18-9, 10-6)
Date: Friday, March 2, 2018
Tipoff: 7:05 p.m. (MST)
Site: Dee Events Center (12,000) * Ogden, UT
Radio: 1450 AM; Play-by-Play with Jason Alvine
Live Video: Pluto TV (ch. 235) or WatchBigSky.com
Live Stats: weberstatesports.com
Live Audio: msubobcats.com/watch
Live TV: None
NEXT UP: The Montana State women's basketball team will play its final two regular-season games on the road this making the I-15 trek. The Bobcats will face Idaho State in Pocatello on Wednesday, Feb. 28 at 7 p.m. in Reed Gym. MSU will conclude Big Sky play at Weber State in Ogden, Utah, on Friday, March 2 at 7 p.m. in the Dee Events Center. MSU plans to fly to Reno, Nevada for the Big Sky Conference Tournament on Saturday afternoon.
ON A SERIES NOTE: Montana State holds a 43-35 advantage in its all-time series with Idaho State dating back to the 1977-78 season. The Bobcats have won the last two meetings, including a 62-56 victory over the Bengals in the Big Sky Conference Tournament championship game in Reno, Nevada, last season. The win gave Montana State its first Big Sky title in 24 years and its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1993. The Bobcats will look to break a four-game losing streak in Reed Gym. MSU's last win in Pocatello was a 79-67 overtime decision on Feb. 2, 2012. The two teams have had three overtime games in the last 12 meetings.
THE NITTY GRITTY: According to the Feb. 24, 2018 NCAA Nitty-Gritty rankings the Bobcats are currently ranked #230 in the country. The highest Big Sky Conference listing belongs to Northern Colorado at #38. The Bears are followed by #134 Idaho State, #137 Portland State, #145 Eastern Washington, #148 Idaho, #155 Weber State and #164 North Dakota. Ranked behind Montana State is #239 Montana, #289 Sacramento State, #303 Northern Arizona and #328 Southern Utah. The Bobcats finished the 2016-17 season ranked #59 - its highest finish ever.
BREAKING VINYL: Senior Hannah Caudill set the all-time mark for career assists when she dished out eight in MSU's win over North Dakota on Feb. 1. The Spokane, Wash., product now has 489 career assists, which surpassed the old mark of 443 set by Vicki Heebner-Carle from 1980-84. Her current total is also 12th best in Big Sky Conference history as she moved passed Kelly Pilcher of Montana (1990-94) with ten assists against Eastern Washington on Saturday. Additionally, Caudill became the 23rd member of MSU's 1000-point club on Feb. 17 against EWU.
DISHING THE ROCK: Senior Hannah Caudill's set the all-time Montana State assists record at the 6:10 mark of the opening quarter against North Dakota on Feb. 1 when she found Blaire Braxton on the right block. Caudill finished the game with eight assists. She now has 489 career assists. In addition, Caudill is second all-time in three-point field-goals made with 227 triples (only the second Bobcat to go over 200 makes) and is also first all-time in career three-point field-goal percentage hitting at a 38.9 percent clip. Caudill posted a season-best 10 assists against Eastern Washington on Feb. 17 and dished out seven assists in MSU's loss at Montana on Saturday. She currently ranks first in the Big Sky averaging 5.1 assists per game. Her 2.7 three-point makes per contest are fourth best in the league. Caudill's current +2.3 assist-turnover ratio is fourth in the Big Sky. 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-best six 3-pointers on three occasions this winter; coming against Long Beach State, Southern Utah and Montana, last Saturday. Caudill was named to the Oregon State/Maui Jim Classic All-Tournament team after averaging 11 points and two assists per game. On Feb. 17, she posted 10 points against Eastern Washington to become the 23rd member of MSU's 1,000-point club. With her 20-point output at Montana on Saturday, Caudill's current total of 1,025 points is tied for 20th all-time with former All-Big Sky Conference performer Nubia Garcia (2005-09).
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 15 games, she has posted 20 or more points on three occasions and has been in double-figure scoring on 14 occasions this season. Junkermier is averaging 14.8 points per game, while shooting 48.2 percent from the field and has connected on 38 3-pointers in Big Sky Conference games. The Mead High graduate is currently third in the Big Sky in 3-point field-goal percentage (.463), sixth in three-point field goal makes per game (2.5), tenth in field-goal percentage (.482) and 13th in scoring (14.8). Junkermier moved into fifth on MSU's all-time top 10 3-point makes list on Saturday. She currently has 144 career three-pointers. On Saturday, Junkermier tallied six points, three rebounds and two assists at Montana.
MAD ABOUT YOU: Madeline Smith is making an impact in her second season with the Bobcats. The product of Snohomish, Washington is averaging 11 points and 7.8 rebounds per game, while shooting 51.9 percent from the field, connecting on 124-239 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 seventh in the Big Sky in rebounds per game, while her 51.9 percent field-goal percentage is second best. Her 7.8 rebounds per game is the top 30 in the nation by second-year players. Smith has 17 double-figure scoring game this season, including five double-doubles. On Saturday, Smith registered nine points and four rebounds in MSU's loss at Montana.
HOLY MOLY, OLI: Oliana Squires has started all 27 games and is averaging 10.1 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 on Jan. 25. 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 57 triples. On. Jan 27 at Southern Utah, Squires saw her streak of 11 consecutive double-figure scoring games snapped as the Thunderbirds held her to seven points. Squires broke her streak of five consecutive games in single-figure scoring with a 19-point outburst against Montana on Saturday afternoon. For the game, the former San Creek High School standout connected on six-of-13 from the field and five-of-nine from beyond the arc. Squires also dished out five assists, while notching a block and a steal in 33 minutes of action.
HATCHET JOB: Senior Rebekah Hatchard has started the last 16 games for the Bobcats and has averaged 10.1 points and 3.7 rebounds per game over that span. Hatchard recorded a career-high 18 points against North Dakota on Feb. 1, connecting on seven-of-10 from the field and three-of-six from long distance. She is currently shooting 37.9 percent from beyond the arc, connecting on 22-58, which ranks 13th in the Big Sky. In addition, the native of Adelaide, Australia is seventh in the Big Sky in field-goal percentage hitting at a 49.2 percent clip. On Saturday, she logged just two points, while pulling down four rebounds and adding two assists and two steals. Hatchard has posted 10 double-digit scoring games this winter.
SECRET BRAXTON FAMILY RECIPE: Blaire Braxton is currently third on the squad averaging 5.0 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 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. This winter, Braxton swatted a career-high five blocks against Wyoming on Nov. 29 and she recorded a career-high five assists in MSU's win over Long Beach State. Her current 1.19 blocks per game is eighth in the Big Sky and ranks 182nd in the nation. Last Saturday, she pulled down three rebounds and had two points in 16 minutes of play. 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 7.7 rebounds per game.
THROWING SHAIDE: Sophomore Madisyn Shaide is averaging 2.7 minutes per game. The Missoula Big Sky grad has played in 15 games this season. Shaide logged 12 minutes at Northern Arizona on Jan. 25 and notched three points and two rebounds.
FAB FROSH: All five of Montana State's freshmen have made an impact this season. Leading the contingent is 5-8 guard Tori Martell who has found her stroke from long distance over the past three weeks. The product of Somerset, Wis., is fourth on the team with 31 three-pointers. Over the past four games, Martell has averaged 11.0 points, while shooting 56 percent (14-25) from long distance. Against Eastern Washington on Feb. 17, Martell notched a season-high 18 points, all from beyond the arc. Laura Pranger, a 6-2 forward from 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 44.9 percent from the field and is averaging 4.0 points and 3.2 rebounds per contest. She is currently third on the team with 22 blocked shots. Last Saturday, Pranger had two points and two rebounds at Montana. Ashley Van Sickle, along with Martell, have combined for 52 three-pointers and are averaging a combined 7.0 points per game. Van Sickle was held scoreless at Montana on Saturday in five minutes of action. Coral Gillette and Janie McRae have played in 13 and 12 games, respectively.
BOZEMAN DOWNTOWN ASSOC.: MSU is shooting 36.6 percent from beyond the arc and averaging 10.2 makes per game, which is fifth highest in the nation. Against Southern Utah on Dec. 28, MSU set a school-record with 18 three-pointers, including nine triples in the opening quarter. As a team, MSU has recorded at least one three-pointer in the last 160 consecutive games. The last time the Bobcats were held without a trey was Jan. 24, 2013 (0-9) at Weber State. On Feb. 15 against Idaho the Bobcats established a school-record as its 14 three-pointers gave them 248 triples on the season to surpass last year's record of 245 3-pointers. MSU's current total on the season is 275 three-point makes. The mark is the sixth best in the country.
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. The Cats are currently second in three-point field-goal percentage defense (29.8), and fourth in blocked shots (146), blocked shots per game (3.6) and scoring defense (65.7). So far this season, the Bobcats have held five teams to 50 points or less - Providence (31), No. Arizona (39), Wyoming (46), MSU Billings (47) and Sacramento State (50).
THAT'S OFFENSIVE: Montana State has been lighting it up from beyond the arc this season. The Cats are currently fifth in the nation averaging 10.2 3-point field-goals per game; sixth in the country in three-point makes with 275; 14th in the nation in 3-point field-goals attempted at 752; and 39th overall in 3-point percentage hitting at a 36.6 percent clip. MSU also leads the league in assists (423) and assists per game (15.7).
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