Saturday, February 26
Missoula, Mont.
7 p.m.
Montana State University
at
Montana
Photo by: Bobcat Creative Services
Cat-Griz, Part II
2/25/2022 2:00:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Montana State plays its three remaining Big Sky Conference contests on the road, beginning at Montana, Saturday, Feb. 26 at 7 p.m. in Dahlberg Arena.
WHO: Montana State at Montana
WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 26 at 7 p.m. (MT)
WHERE: Missoula, Mont. - Dahlberg Arena
RECORDS: Montana State 18-10, 13-4; Montana 17-9, 10-7
SERIES: Montana leads all-time series 79-34 (1974-75)
LAST MTG: Jan. 24, 2022 - @ Montana State 73, Montana 59
STREAM: MSU's game at Montana will be streamed live on ESPN+ (subscription needed).
TV: MSU's game at UM will air live on SWX Montana. Zach Kaplan, play-by-play, Krista Redpath, color commentary
RADIO: MSU's game at Montana on 1450 KMMS AM - Pregame- 15-min. prior to tip. Tom Schulz with play-by-play
NEXT UP: Montana State plays its three remaining Big Sky Conference contests on the road, beginning at Montana, Saturday, Feb. 26 at 7 p.m. in Dahlberg Arena. The Bobcats will close out the regular season at Sacramento State, March 2, and Northern Colorado, March 4. The Big Sky Conference Women's Basketball Tournament is slated for March 7-11 at Idaho Central Arena in Boise.
BOBCATS BITES: Montana State finishes the regular season with four consecutive road games. The Bobcats opened the four game stretch with an 82-57 victory at Portland State on Monday night. MSU's three remaining games are at Montana (Feb. 26), at Sacramento State (March 2), at Northern Colorado (March 4)...MSU finishes its Big Sky Conference regular season on the road for the third consecutive year...with six rebounds against Southern Utah on Feb. 19, Montana State's Darian White became the first true point-guard in Bobcat women's basketball history to record over 1,000 points, 400 rebounds, 300 assists and 200 steals in a career. The only other player in MSU women's history to accomplish the milestone is Vicki Heebner Carle (1980-84)..with its 83-77 victory over Northern Arizona on Feb. 12 in Flagstaff, Bobcat head coach Tricia Binford moved into second place in Big Sky Conference history with 182 league wins, passing Carla Taylor (Weber State, 180-170, 20 years). Binford is second to Robin Selvig (Montana, 359-83, 38 years)...with an 18-10 overall mark, Binford is assured of her 15th consecutive non-losing season. Her last losing season - 13-16 overall - came during her second year in Bozeman, 2006-07.
SCOUTING THE LADY GRIZ: Montana defeated Southern Utah 71-46 on Thursday night in Dahlberg Arena. The Lady Griz took advantage inside as the Thunderbirds were without Darri Dotson, who is ranked fourth in the Big Sky in rebounding (8.1) and leads SUU in scoring at 10.6 ppg. UM held a 38-20 edge in points in the paint and outrebounded the Thunderbirds 40-28. The Lady Griz were led by Sophia Stiles and Abby Anderson with 17 and 14 points, respectively. On the season, Montana has been led in scoring by Sammy Fatkin and Carmen Gfeller at 13.4 and 13.1 ppg. Fatkin has been out of action the last seven games with an injury but could make appearance on Saturday evening. UM is 4-3 without Fatkin in the line-up, including a pair of one-point losses at Northern Arizona and Idaho. In its loss to the Bobcats (73-59) on Jan. 24, the Lady Griz were led by Fatkin with a game-high 24 points, while Anderson added 10 points and six rebounds. Montana is under the direction of first-year head coach Brian Holsinger, who previously served as an assistant coach for five seasons at Oregon State.
THE SERIES: Montana leads the all-time series 79-34 dating back to the 1974-75 season. The Bobcats have won the last seven meetings with its intra-state rival, including winning the last three in Dahlberg Arena. Since the 2016-17 season, MSU owns a 9-1 mark over the Lady Griz. Montana's last victory in the rivalry came on Feb. 24, 2018 (87-63) as five UM players hit double figures led by Madi Schoening with 18 points.
I DARE YA: Darian White, a preseason All-Big Sky Conference selection, leads the Bobcats in scoring (15.4 ppg), assists (119), steals (70) and free throws made (122). She has been in double figure scoring in 25 games, including a career-high 32 points at Idaho on Feb. 7. Against the Vandals, the Boise product connected on 13 of 21 from the field and 5 of 7 at the line. In addition, she dished out eight assists, pulled down six rebounds and logged three steals and a blocked shot. White saw her streak of 36 consecutive games in double digit scoring snapped at Southern Utah - eight points - on Feb. 10. At North Dakota on Nov. 20, she had a career-high seven steals. The reigning Big Sky Conference Defensive Player of the Year pulled down a career-high 12 rebounds against Montana State Billings on Dec. 9. White has broken into several career MSU top 10 statistical categories this season: including steals, 6th, 211; free throws made, 5th, 332; and free throw percentage, 11th, 77.2%. White is currently averaging 2.6 steals per game, which leads the Big Sky, while her 4.4 assists per outing ranks third in the league. Against NAU on Jan. 20, she became the 26th Bobcat to record 1,000 points. Her current total of 1,160 points ranks 19th all-time in MSU history.
KUDOS TO KOLA: Junior Kola Bad Bear has played in all 28 games, including 26 starts. On the season, the 6-2 forward is averaging 10.6 points and 5.5 rebounds per contest. Her 5.5 rebounds lead the team and ranks No. 19 in Big Sky action. Bad Bear had a breakout weekend for the Bobcats at the Holiday Beach Classic in San Luis Obispo over Thanksgiving averaging 13.5 points and 7.0 rebounds, while shooting 61.1% from the field. Bad Bear was named Big Sky Player of the Week for her efforts against MSU Billings and Utah Valley. For the two games, she averaged 19 points and 10.5 rebounds per game, while shooting 61.9% from the field and 84.6% from the line. Bad Bear pulled down a career-best 17 rebounds in MSU's win over MSU Billings. Her 13 offensive boards against the Yellowjackets are unofficially the highest total in NCAA Division 1 hoops this season. Bad Bear also notched a career-best 21 points in MSU's win over MSUB. In Big Sky Conference play this season, Bad Bear is averaging 11.5 points and 5.5 rebounds per game. Last week in games against Eastern Washington, Southern Utah and Portland State, Bad Bear averaged 13.3 points and 6.7 rebounds per game. She had her best outing at Portland State with 17 points and eight boards.
OUT ON A LIMB: Sophomore Katelynn Limardo has started the last 27 games for the Bobcats, after opening the season with 16 points and seven rebounds against Carroll College coming off the bench. The product of Silver City, N.M. (a town where lawman Harvey Whitehall was the first to arrest Billy the Kid, known at the time under the alias Henry Antrim in 1875), is averaging 8.1 points and 4.2 rebounds per outing. In addition, Limardo is shooting 37.3% from the field and 84.1% (37-44) from the line. On the season, Limardo has recorded 11 double figure scoring games, including a season-high 15 points in MSU's win over Northern Arizona on Jan. 20. Against the Lumberjacks, she went three of nine shooting, added three triples and was six of six at the line. Limardo also pulled down a season-best nine rebounds in MSU's win over Idaho on Jan. 17. Over Thanksgiving, her three 3-pointers in the 4th quarter at Cal Poly lifted MSU to the win. Last winter, she started all 24 games and averaged 6.6 points and 4.5 rebounds. Limardo had her best game of the 2020-21 season at Eastern Washington on Feb. 13, scoring a team-high 17 points. Against EWU, she went 5 of 5 from long distance.
DON'T MESS WITH TEXAS: Leia Beattie has played in all 28 games for the Bobcats, including 26 starts. She currently is averaging 8.9 points and 4.4 rebounds per contest. Beattie had a career outing in MSU's win over Sacramento State on Dec. 4 scoring 18 points, while pulling down eight rebounds. Coupled with her play against Northern Colorado to open Big Sky, she garnered ROAR Organic #BigSkyWBB Player of the Week accolades after averaging 14.5 points. 6.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.5 steals per game. Beattie comes to Montana State with a familiar Treasure State pedigree. Her mother, Kelly (Pilcher) was a two-time All-Big Sky selection at Montana and is sixth all-time in assists. In addition, her 15 assists versus Boise State and Northern Arizona still rank first in single-game history. Beattie's aunt/coach at Midland Christian Academy, Carla (Beattie) Cunneen, is also a former Lady Griz and was the 1996 Big Sky Sixth Player of the Year. Last season, Beattie played in 23 games and averaged 3.7 points per game. Against Portland State on Monday night, Beattie posted 15 points, connecting on six of seven from the field, including a three of four effort from beyond the arc.
THE TALK: Senior Gabby Mocchi has played in 25 games, including starts in the last 18 outings. The 6-1 senior from Champlin, Minn., recorded a career-high 21 points in MSU's win at Idaho on Feb. 7. Against the Vandals, Mocchi hit seven of nine shots, including a career-best four 3-pointers. Mocchi is averaging 7.0 points and 3.9 rebounds per game. She pulled down a season-best nine boards in MSU's win over Seattle U on Dec. 18. In Big Sky play, Mocchi is averaging 8.4 and 4.2 rebounds per game. On the season, she is shooting 82.5% (33-40) at the stripe.
KEEP FEEDIN' DEDEN: Lexi Deden, a 6-1 sophomore forward from Missoula, is sixth on the Bobcats in rebounding averaging 3.6 boards per game. In addition, she is seventh on the squad averaging 5.4 points per contest. Deden had her best outing of the season at North Dakota on Nov. 20. Against the Fighting Hawks, she recorded her first collegiate double-double with 17 points and a career-best ten rebounds. For the game, she went four-of-nine from the field and was nine-of-ten at the charity stripe. In MSU's win over Portland State on Monday, she tallied 10 points and two rebounds. The Deden name is also familiar in Montana basketball circles. Deden's mother Dawn (Silliker) played at Montana from 1984-88. At UM, Silliker was a 1,000-point scorer and was an all-Mountain West pick. In addition, Lexi's aunt and former head coach at Sentinel High, Karen Deden, was a standout at Washington and is in the Husky Hall of Fame. Last season, Deden recorded a career-high 22 points in Montana State's win over Northern Arizona on Jan. 23 when she connected on 10 of 14 from the field.
ASHLEY'S ACCOLADES: Senior Ashley Van Sickle has played in all 27 games this season and is averaging 3.4 points and 2.6 rebounds per game. The Arvada, Colo., product helped the Bobcats defeat Montana for the seventh consecutive game on Jan. 24 playing 20 minutes and posting seven points. Against UM, Van Sickle went three-of-three from the field and was one-of-one from long distance. She also dished out three assists, pulled down two rebounds and had one blocked shot. Van Sickle notched a season-best nine points as the Bobcats defeated Idaho State on Feb. 3, which included a pair of 3-pointers. Against Portland State on Jan. 22, Van Sickle grabbed a career-best seven rebounds. On Senior Day, she posted five points and five rebounds as the Bobcats knocked-off Southern Utah.
THE PRIDE OF ROSEMOUNT: Sophomore Taylor Janssen has played in all 28 games and is averaging 6.4 points and 2.7 rebounds per outing. During MSU's three-game road swing to UI, SUU and NAU, Janssen averaged 8.0 points and 1.7 rebounds. The 6-3 product of Rosemount, Minn., registered a career-high 16 points in MSU's overtime loss at Southern Utah. For the game, Janssen went five of seven from the field and five of six from the line. Under the boards, she pulled down a career-high nine rebounds in Montana State's win over Weber State on Feb. 5 in Worthington Arena. On the season, Janssen is shooting 41.5% from the field and 80% (32-40) at the free throw line. Earlier this season, Janssen made 19 consecutive free throws before missing against Weber State on Feb. 5. The all-time Bobcat record is 25 by Rebecca Mercer during the 2007-08 season.
ALL JACKED UP: Madison Jackson has played in 18 games. She was sidelined for 10 games due to a hand injury. Jackson had her best outing of the season against Northern Arizona on Jan. 20 recording 10 points and three rebounds. Jackson went 4 of 4 from the field and 2 of 2 from long distance. Last week, against Eastern Washington, Southern Utah and Portland State, Jackson averaged 2.7 points, 1.7 rebounds, 1.0 assist and 1.0 steal per game.
RANSON NOTE: Sophomore Ava Ranson has played in 22 games and is averaging 1.6 points per contest. The 5-10 product of Boise, Idaho had her best game at South Dakota State. Against the Jackrabbits, Ranson recorded eight points on three-on-nine from the field, including a pair of three-pointers. Ranson recorded her Big Sky best five points against Portland State on Jan. 22.
MENTIONING MIA: Freshman Mia Hughes has played in 15 games, including three starts. The product of Woodinville, Wash., is averaging 1.7 points and 1.9 rebounds per contest. She had her best outing of the season at North Dakota with seven points and six rebounds- all points came at the free throw line where she went seven-of-eight. Hughes is currently hitting at a 94.1% (16-17) clip from the line.
NOTABLE: *MSU is 5th in the nation in free throw made at 417 makes. Only Troy (479), Oklahoma (437), Sam Houston (421) and Murray State (419) have made more free throws than the Bobcats. *MSU ranks 12th in the nation in free throw percentage at 78.2%. The University of Iowa leads the nation hitting 84.7% at the line. *The Bobcats have claimed three Big Sky regular season titles in the last six years. MSU won regular season championships in 2016, 2017, and 2020. *Tricia Binford has coached in 505 games overall and 293 in Big Sky action. Her 288 career wins are the most by any basketball coach in MSU history and is the third most in BSC women's history behind Montana's Robin Selvig (865) and Weber State's Carla Taylor (308). Her 182 Big Sky victories rank second only to Selvig's 359 (38 years). *MSU associate head coach Sunny Smallwood is one of the longest tenured assistants at the NCAA Division I level. Smallwood began her career at Washington State in 1990 and has gone on to serve at Washington, Cal, Nebraska, Boise State and Arizona. *MSU assistant Blaire Braxton is in her second season on the bench under the tutelage of Tricia Binford. Braxton's accolades as a player at MSU include most games played (125), and along with Madeline Smith and Oliana Squires, was a part of the winningest class in school history as the threesome accounted for 82 victories during their tenure in the Blue and Gold. *Katie Bussey, who played at MSU from 2008-2012, and was a WBCA Honorable Mention All-American her senior season, joined Binford's staff in mid-June. After graduating from MSU with a degree in kinesiology in 2012, Bussey played professionally in The Netherlands, Sweden, and Germany.
NO PLACE LIKE HOME: In the last 10 seasons dating back to the 2012-13 campaign, the Cats have posted a 105-30 (77.8%) mark within the warm confines of Worthington Arena and a 72-22 (76.6%) ledger in Big Sky action on the home hardwood.
STILL RELATIVELY YOUNG: Last season MSU had one of the youngest squads in the nation with seven total freshmen, six of which were true-freshmen. Twelve of 15 players on the Bobcat roster had two years of NCAA Division I experience or less. Looking at MSU's starting line-up heading into this weekend's game, and with the 'free' season of eligibility due to COVID-19, in all reality, the Bobcats take to the floor with two sophomores - Darian White and Kola Bad Bear, two freshmen - Katelynn Limardo and Leia Beattie and senior - Gabby Mocchi.
WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 26 at 7 p.m. (MT)
WHERE: Missoula, Mont. - Dahlberg Arena
RECORDS: Montana State 18-10, 13-4; Montana 17-9, 10-7
SERIES: Montana leads all-time series 79-34 (1974-75)
LAST MTG: Jan. 24, 2022 - @ Montana State 73, Montana 59
STREAM: MSU's game at Montana will be streamed live on ESPN+ (subscription needed).
TV: MSU's game at UM will air live on SWX Montana. Zach Kaplan, play-by-play, Krista Redpath, color commentary
RADIO: MSU's game at Montana on 1450 KMMS AM - Pregame- 15-min. prior to tip. Tom Schulz with play-by-play
NEXT UP: Montana State plays its three remaining Big Sky Conference contests on the road, beginning at Montana, Saturday, Feb. 26 at 7 p.m. in Dahlberg Arena. The Bobcats will close out the regular season at Sacramento State, March 2, and Northern Colorado, March 4. The Big Sky Conference Women's Basketball Tournament is slated for March 7-11 at Idaho Central Arena in Boise.
BOBCATS BITES: Montana State finishes the regular season with four consecutive road games. The Bobcats opened the four game stretch with an 82-57 victory at Portland State on Monday night. MSU's three remaining games are at Montana (Feb. 26), at Sacramento State (March 2), at Northern Colorado (March 4)...MSU finishes its Big Sky Conference regular season on the road for the third consecutive year...with six rebounds against Southern Utah on Feb. 19, Montana State's Darian White became the first true point-guard in Bobcat women's basketball history to record over 1,000 points, 400 rebounds, 300 assists and 200 steals in a career. The only other player in MSU women's history to accomplish the milestone is Vicki Heebner Carle (1980-84)..with its 83-77 victory over Northern Arizona on Feb. 12 in Flagstaff, Bobcat head coach Tricia Binford moved into second place in Big Sky Conference history with 182 league wins, passing Carla Taylor (Weber State, 180-170, 20 years). Binford is second to Robin Selvig (Montana, 359-83, 38 years)...with an 18-10 overall mark, Binford is assured of her 15th consecutive non-losing season. Her last losing season - 13-16 overall - came during her second year in Bozeman, 2006-07.
SCOUTING THE LADY GRIZ: Montana defeated Southern Utah 71-46 on Thursday night in Dahlberg Arena. The Lady Griz took advantage inside as the Thunderbirds were without Darri Dotson, who is ranked fourth in the Big Sky in rebounding (8.1) and leads SUU in scoring at 10.6 ppg. UM held a 38-20 edge in points in the paint and outrebounded the Thunderbirds 40-28. The Lady Griz were led by Sophia Stiles and Abby Anderson with 17 and 14 points, respectively. On the season, Montana has been led in scoring by Sammy Fatkin and Carmen Gfeller at 13.4 and 13.1 ppg. Fatkin has been out of action the last seven games with an injury but could make appearance on Saturday evening. UM is 4-3 without Fatkin in the line-up, including a pair of one-point losses at Northern Arizona and Idaho. In its loss to the Bobcats (73-59) on Jan. 24, the Lady Griz were led by Fatkin with a game-high 24 points, while Anderson added 10 points and six rebounds. Montana is under the direction of first-year head coach Brian Holsinger, who previously served as an assistant coach for five seasons at Oregon State.
THE SERIES: Montana leads the all-time series 79-34 dating back to the 1974-75 season. The Bobcats have won the last seven meetings with its intra-state rival, including winning the last three in Dahlberg Arena. Since the 2016-17 season, MSU owns a 9-1 mark over the Lady Griz. Montana's last victory in the rivalry came on Feb. 24, 2018 (87-63) as five UM players hit double figures led by Madi Schoening with 18 points.
I DARE YA: Darian White, a preseason All-Big Sky Conference selection, leads the Bobcats in scoring (15.4 ppg), assists (119), steals (70) and free throws made (122). She has been in double figure scoring in 25 games, including a career-high 32 points at Idaho on Feb. 7. Against the Vandals, the Boise product connected on 13 of 21 from the field and 5 of 7 at the line. In addition, she dished out eight assists, pulled down six rebounds and logged three steals and a blocked shot. White saw her streak of 36 consecutive games in double digit scoring snapped at Southern Utah - eight points - on Feb. 10. At North Dakota on Nov. 20, she had a career-high seven steals. The reigning Big Sky Conference Defensive Player of the Year pulled down a career-high 12 rebounds against Montana State Billings on Dec. 9. White has broken into several career MSU top 10 statistical categories this season: including steals, 6th, 211; free throws made, 5th, 332; and free throw percentage, 11th, 77.2%. White is currently averaging 2.6 steals per game, which leads the Big Sky, while her 4.4 assists per outing ranks third in the league. Against NAU on Jan. 20, she became the 26th Bobcat to record 1,000 points. Her current total of 1,160 points ranks 19th all-time in MSU history.
KUDOS TO KOLA: Junior Kola Bad Bear has played in all 28 games, including 26 starts. On the season, the 6-2 forward is averaging 10.6 points and 5.5 rebounds per contest. Her 5.5 rebounds lead the team and ranks No. 19 in Big Sky action. Bad Bear had a breakout weekend for the Bobcats at the Holiday Beach Classic in San Luis Obispo over Thanksgiving averaging 13.5 points and 7.0 rebounds, while shooting 61.1% from the field. Bad Bear was named Big Sky Player of the Week for her efforts against MSU Billings and Utah Valley. For the two games, she averaged 19 points and 10.5 rebounds per game, while shooting 61.9% from the field and 84.6% from the line. Bad Bear pulled down a career-best 17 rebounds in MSU's win over MSU Billings. Her 13 offensive boards against the Yellowjackets are unofficially the highest total in NCAA Division 1 hoops this season. Bad Bear also notched a career-best 21 points in MSU's win over MSUB. In Big Sky Conference play this season, Bad Bear is averaging 11.5 points and 5.5 rebounds per game. Last week in games against Eastern Washington, Southern Utah and Portland State, Bad Bear averaged 13.3 points and 6.7 rebounds per game. She had her best outing at Portland State with 17 points and eight boards.
OUT ON A LIMB: Sophomore Katelynn Limardo has started the last 27 games for the Bobcats, after opening the season with 16 points and seven rebounds against Carroll College coming off the bench. The product of Silver City, N.M. (a town where lawman Harvey Whitehall was the first to arrest Billy the Kid, known at the time under the alias Henry Antrim in 1875), is averaging 8.1 points and 4.2 rebounds per outing. In addition, Limardo is shooting 37.3% from the field and 84.1% (37-44) from the line. On the season, Limardo has recorded 11 double figure scoring games, including a season-high 15 points in MSU's win over Northern Arizona on Jan. 20. Against the Lumberjacks, she went three of nine shooting, added three triples and was six of six at the line. Limardo also pulled down a season-best nine rebounds in MSU's win over Idaho on Jan. 17. Over Thanksgiving, her three 3-pointers in the 4th quarter at Cal Poly lifted MSU to the win. Last winter, she started all 24 games and averaged 6.6 points and 4.5 rebounds. Limardo had her best game of the 2020-21 season at Eastern Washington on Feb. 13, scoring a team-high 17 points. Against EWU, she went 5 of 5 from long distance.
DON'T MESS WITH TEXAS: Leia Beattie has played in all 28 games for the Bobcats, including 26 starts. She currently is averaging 8.9 points and 4.4 rebounds per contest. Beattie had a career outing in MSU's win over Sacramento State on Dec. 4 scoring 18 points, while pulling down eight rebounds. Coupled with her play against Northern Colorado to open Big Sky, she garnered ROAR Organic #BigSkyWBB Player of the Week accolades after averaging 14.5 points. 6.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.5 steals per game. Beattie comes to Montana State with a familiar Treasure State pedigree. Her mother, Kelly (Pilcher) was a two-time All-Big Sky selection at Montana and is sixth all-time in assists. In addition, her 15 assists versus Boise State and Northern Arizona still rank first in single-game history. Beattie's aunt/coach at Midland Christian Academy, Carla (Beattie) Cunneen, is also a former Lady Griz and was the 1996 Big Sky Sixth Player of the Year. Last season, Beattie played in 23 games and averaged 3.7 points per game. Against Portland State on Monday night, Beattie posted 15 points, connecting on six of seven from the field, including a three of four effort from beyond the arc.
THE TALK: Senior Gabby Mocchi has played in 25 games, including starts in the last 18 outings. The 6-1 senior from Champlin, Minn., recorded a career-high 21 points in MSU's win at Idaho on Feb. 7. Against the Vandals, Mocchi hit seven of nine shots, including a career-best four 3-pointers. Mocchi is averaging 7.0 points and 3.9 rebounds per game. She pulled down a season-best nine boards in MSU's win over Seattle U on Dec. 18. In Big Sky play, Mocchi is averaging 8.4 and 4.2 rebounds per game. On the season, she is shooting 82.5% (33-40) at the stripe.
KEEP FEEDIN' DEDEN: Lexi Deden, a 6-1 sophomore forward from Missoula, is sixth on the Bobcats in rebounding averaging 3.6 boards per game. In addition, she is seventh on the squad averaging 5.4 points per contest. Deden had her best outing of the season at North Dakota on Nov. 20. Against the Fighting Hawks, she recorded her first collegiate double-double with 17 points and a career-best ten rebounds. For the game, she went four-of-nine from the field and was nine-of-ten at the charity stripe. In MSU's win over Portland State on Monday, she tallied 10 points and two rebounds. The Deden name is also familiar in Montana basketball circles. Deden's mother Dawn (Silliker) played at Montana from 1984-88. At UM, Silliker was a 1,000-point scorer and was an all-Mountain West pick. In addition, Lexi's aunt and former head coach at Sentinel High, Karen Deden, was a standout at Washington and is in the Husky Hall of Fame. Last season, Deden recorded a career-high 22 points in Montana State's win over Northern Arizona on Jan. 23 when she connected on 10 of 14 from the field.
ASHLEY'S ACCOLADES: Senior Ashley Van Sickle has played in all 27 games this season and is averaging 3.4 points and 2.6 rebounds per game. The Arvada, Colo., product helped the Bobcats defeat Montana for the seventh consecutive game on Jan. 24 playing 20 minutes and posting seven points. Against UM, Van Sickle went three-of-three from the field and was one-of-one from long distance. She also dished out three assists, pulled down two rebounds and had one blocked shot. Van Sickle notched a season-best nine points as the Bobcats defeated Idaho State on Feb. 3, which included a pair of 3-pointers. Against Portland State on Jan. 22, Van Sickle grabbed a career-best seven rebounds. On Senior Day, she posted five points and five rebounds as the Bobcats knocked-off Southern Utah.
THE PRIDE OF ROSEMOUNT: Sophomore Taylor Janssen has played in all 28 games and is averaging 6.4 points and 2.7 rebounds per outing. During MSU's three-game road swing to UI, SUU and NAU, Janssen averaged 8.0 points and 1.7 rebounds. The 6-3 product of Rosemount, Minn., registered a career-high 16 points in MSU's overtime loss at Southern Utah. For the game, Janssen went five of seven from the field and five of six from the line. Under the boards, she pulled down a career-high nine rebounds in Montana State's win over Weber State on Feb. 5 in Worthington Arena. On the season, Janssen is shooting 41.5% from the field and 80% (32-40) at the free throw line. Earlier this season, Janssen made 19 consecutive free throws before missing against Weber State on Feb. 5. The all-time Bobcat record is 25 by Rebecca Mercer during the 2007-08 season.
ALL JACKED UP: Madison Jackson has played in 18 games. She was sidelined for 10 games due to a hand injury. Jackson had her best outing of the season against Northern Arizona on Jan. 20 recording 10 points and three rebounds. Jackson went 4 of 4 from the field and 2 of 2 from long distance. Last week, against Eastern Washington, Southern Utah and Portland State, Jackson averaged 2.7 points, 1.7 rebounds, 1.0 assist and 1.0 steal per game.
RANSON NOTE: Sophomore Ava Ranson has played in 22 games and is averaging 1.6 points per contest. The 5-10 product of Boise, Idaho had her best game at South Dakota State. Against the Jackrabbits, Ranson recorded eight points on three-on-nine from the field, including a pair of three-pointers. Ranson recorded her Big Sky best five points against Portland State on Jan. 22.
MENTIONING MIA: Freshman Mia Hughes has played in 15 games, including three starts. The product of Woodinville, Wash., is averaging 1.7 points and 1.9 rebounds per contest. She had her best outing of the season at North Dakota with seven points and six rebounds- all points came at the free throw line where she went seven-of-eight. Hughes is currently hitting at a 94.1% (16-17) clip from the line.
NOTABLE: *MSU is 5th in the nation in free throw made at 417 makes. Only Troy (479), Oklahoma (437), Sam Houston (421) and Murray State (419) have made more free throws than the Bobcats. *MSU ranks 12th in the nation in free throw percentage at 78.2%. The University of Iowa leads the nation hitting 84.7% at the line. *The Bobcats have claimed three Big Sky regular season titles in the last six years. MSU won regular season championships in 2016, 2017, and 2020. *Tricia Binford has coached in 505 games overall and 293 in Big Sky action. Her 288 career wins are the most by any basketball coach in MSU history and is the third most in BSC women's history behind Montana's Robin Selvig (865) and Weber State's Carla Taylor (308). Her 182 Big Sky victories rank second only to Selvig's 359 (38 years). *MSU associate head coach Sunny Smallwood is one of the longest tenured assistants at the NCAA Division I level. Smallwood began her career at Washington State in 1990 and has gone on to serve at Washington, Cal, Nebraska, Boise State and Arizona. *MSU assistant Blaire Braxton is in her second season on the bench under the tutelage of Tricia Binford. Braxton's accolades as a player at MSU include most games played (125), and along with Madeline Smith and Oliana Squires, was a part of the winningest class in school history as the threesome accounted for 82 victories during their tenure in the Blue and Gold. *Katie Bussey, who played at MSU from 2008-2012, and was a WBCA Honorable Mention All-American her senior season, joined Binford's staff in mid-June. After graduating from MSU with a degree in kinesiology in 2012, Bussey played professionally in The Netherlands, Sweden, and Germany.
NO PLACE LIKE HOME: In the last 10 seasons dating back to the 2012-13 campaign, the Cats have posted a 105-30 (77.8%) mark within the warm confines of Worthington Arena and a 72-22 (76.6%) ledger in Big Sky action on the home hardwood.
STILL RELATIVELY YOUNG: Last season MSU had one of the youngest squads in the nation with seven total freshmen, six of which were true-freshmen. Twelve of 15 players on the Bobcat roster had two years of NCAA Division I experience or less. Looking at MSU's starting line-up heading into this weekend's game, and with the 'free' season of eligibility due to COVID-19, in all reality, the Bobcats take to the floor with two sophomores - Darian White and Kola Bad Bear, two freshmen - Katelynn Limardo and Leia Beattie and senior - Gabby Mocchi.
Players Mentioned
F
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's Basketball
F/C
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's BasketballBobcat Insider TV Show
Wednesday, January 26
vs. Seattle (Live Stream Video)
Saturday, December 18
Inside The Brick (Lexi Deden)
Thursday, November 04
Inside The Brick (Leia Beattie)
Tuesday, November 02
