Limardo’s Timely Triples Lift Bobcats past Spartans

Tuesday, November 14

BOZEMAN

7 p.m.

Montana State University

1-2,0-0Big Sky

San Jose State

2-2,0-0Mountain West

San Jose St.

Montana St.

Freshman Natalie Picton recorded 12 points and five rebounds in MSU's 62-49 win over San Jose State on Tuesday night.

Photo by: Bobcat Creative Services

11/14/2023 10:40:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

“It was a heck of a second half effort,” Binford said

By: Tom Schulz

Montana State senior Katelynn Limardo scored 12 second-half points, including nine points in the fourth quarter all from three-point territory to lift the Bobcats to a 62-49 victory over San Jose State on Tuesday night in Worthington Arena.

Montana State (1-2) trailed San Jose State (2-2) for most of the opening half in a tightly contested game. The Bobcats went on a 10-4 run at the midway mark of the second quarter taking a 24-23 lead on a Natalie Picton jumper. Neither team could muster any offense in the final one-minute, 51-seconds and the Bobcats entered intermission with a one-point cushion.

"I thought we were a little soft in the opening half," said MSU head coach Tricia Binford. "We were prepared for a physical, trapping style. They caused some turnovers we don't usually make. I thought we did a nice job on the glass and limiting their second chance opportunities."

MSU committed 11 turnovers in the first half but countered its miscues holding the Spartans to only one second chance basket.

The lead changed hands ten times in the third quarter before the Bobcats closed out the frame on a 5-0 run in the last 35-seconds, highlighted by a Lexi Deden offensive board and putback off a missed free throw to give MSU a 45-40 lead going into the final quarter.

Limardo's first triple of the fourth quarter gave MSU a 50-42 lead with 8:35 remaining. The Spartans closed to within three-points before Limardo's second dagger with four-minutes left gave the Bobcats a 53-47 advantage.

Bobcat senior Madison Hall connected on a three-pointer at the 2:27 mark giving MSU a nine-point lead, and Limardo's final triple gave MSU it first double-digit margin in the final minute.

"It was a heck of a second half effort," Binford said. "We had a lot of good things happen. I really liked how engaged the bench was, and they were ready when they went into the game. We committed just four turnovers and won the boards. If we continue to do that, we'll win a lot of games."

Limardo finished with a game-high 17 points, while Picton and Hall added 11 and ten points, respectively. Limardo, a product of Silver City, N.M., connected on five-of-11 from the field, four-of-seven from beyond the arc and was three-of-four at the line. She also added four assists and three steals.

For the game, the Bobcats shots 43.4% from the field, while holding San Jose State to 35.7%. MSU won the battle of the boards, out-rebounding SJSU 38-29. MSU was led under the glass by Limardo, Deden, Marah Dykstra, and Isobel Bunyan with six rebounds apiece.

San Jose State was led by Jyah LoVett with 16 points and four assists.

Montana State plays at North Dakota on Sunday morning at 11 a.m. (MT) in Grand Forks.