Bobcat Women Slay Knights

Friday, November 29

Las Vegas, Nev.

1 p.m. (MT)

Montana State University

6-1,0-0Big Sky

Central Florida

6-2,0-0Big 12

Montana St.

UCF

Marah Dykstra

11/29/2024 6:02:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

“We came out with the right mindset,” said MSU head coach Tricia Binford, who is in her 20th season with the Bobcats. “We were able to play up-tempo, spread the court and get more possessions. Playing a team with Central Florida’s size and athleticism was a big challenge and our kids came through.”

By: Tom Schulz

For the second consecutive game Montana State got out to a quick start, built a double-digit lead, and held off a late charging opponent.

On Friday afternoon in the Thomas and Mack Center, the Bobcats jumped to a 13-0 start, took a 20-point lead, and converted seven of eight free throws in the final 27-seconds to post a 76-68 decision over UCF at the UNLV Thanksgiving Classic.

"We came out with the right mindset," said MSU head coach Tricia Binford, who is in her 20^th season with the Bobcats. "We were able to play up-tempo, spread the court and get more possessions. Playing a team with Central Florida's size and athleticism was a big challenge and our kids came through."

Montana State (6-1) scored the first 13-points of the game, connecting on five-of-seven attempts, in the opening four minutes. The Bobcats built a 26-6 cushion at the 1:22 mark on Katelynn Martin's three-pointer. The triple gave Martin her 1,000^th career point, becoming just the 27^th Bobcat in history to reach the milestone.

"KJ (Martin) has had an impactful career," Binford said. "Not many can compete as hard as she does on both ends of the court."

MSU opened the first quarter shooting 55.6% from the field, including a five-of-seven effort from beyond the three-point arc.

Montana State's bench took over in the second frame sparked by Taylee Chirrick and Natalie Picton. The Bobcats owned a 46-32 lead at intermission as Picton and Marah Dykstra each recorded 10 points. MSU's bench outscored the Knights 21-5 in the first half.

"Our bench was fantastic," Binford said. "We got a tremendous spark from Taylee, Natalie, Addy (Harris), and Issy (Bunyan). We were able to rotate our line-up and keep fresh legs on the floor."

UCF (6-2) cut the margin to 53-46 in the third quarter before Chirrick and Esmeralda Morales led MSU on an 8-2 run, giving the Bobcats a 61-48 advantage heading into the final frame.

The Knights opened the fourth quarter outscoring the Bobcats 14-7 closing to within 68-64 as MSU struggled shooting 14.3% in the quarter. Fortunately, the Bobcats connected on 10-of-12 free throws and outrebounded UCF 10-7, fending off the Knight's late game charge.

The victory over UCF was MSU's first over a Power-4 school since the Bobcats dispatched Clemson 58-52 on Nov. 23, 2012, at the Hoops for a Cure Classic in Dallas, Texas.

Dykstra led five Bobcats in double figures with 21 points, connecting on seven-of-14 from the field and six-of-six at the line. Also, in double digits were Morales 13, Chirrick 12, Martin 11, and Picton 10. Chirrick chipped in five assists and three steals.

Despite outrebounding UCF in the final period, the Knights won the battle of the boards 45-42. Chirrick and Ella Johnson each pulled down a team-best nine rebounds. Johnson also registered a career-best four blocks.

Hannah Gusters, a 6-6 senior center, led UCF with 19 points and ten rebounds.

MSU hosts South Dakota, Wednesday, Dec. 4 at 7 p.m. in Worthington Arena as part of the Big Sky-Summit League Challenge.