Picton’s Career Night Unleashes Floodgates as Bobcats Rout Bengals

Thursday, January 16

BOZEMAN

7 p.m.

Montana State University

15-2,5-0Big Sky

Idaho State

6-9,1-3Big Sky

Idaho St.

Montana St.

Natalie Picton scored a career-high 24 points and added a career-high nine assisted as the Bobcats cruised by Idaho State 94-52 on Thursday night in Worthington Arena.

Photo by: Bobcat Creative Services

Picton’s Career Night Unleashes Floodgates as Bobcats Rout Bengals

1/16/2025 10:35:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

“I couldn’t be prouder of our bench and how they contributed,” Binford said.

By: Tom Schulz

Montana State head coach Tricia Binford couldn't remember what she said to her team between the first and second quarters of MSU's game with Idaho State, Thursday night.

But whatever it was, the Bobcats overcame a five-point first quarter deficit outscoring ISU 80-33 the rest of the way, en route to a 94-52 win over Bengals in Worthington Arena and running MSU's current win streak to eight consecutive victories.

"Honestly, I can't remember what I said between the first and second quarters," Binford said. "I just know that if we're not causing mistakes we can't get out and play the pace we want to play.

"Idaho State is a very, very good defensive team and very physical team and we wanted to create some tempo and pace to play with the legs of our team."

Montana State (15-2, 5-0) sophomores Dylan Philip and Natalie Picton forced the tempo in the second frame, combining for 19 of MSU's 30 points. The Bobcats rattled off a 26-3 run over the course of eight minutes after trailing 22-18 early in the second period.

Picton's fourth three-pointer of the half with 50-seconds left gave the Bobcats a 44-27 lead at intermission.

"I couldn't be prouder of our bench and how they contributed," Binford said. "Our bench was incredible. We had 58 points from our bench, we scored 40 points off turnovers, and the bench is giving us a tremendous spark right now where we don't lose a beat."

Montana State built its largest lead of the contest at 88-43 on an Issy Bunyan jumper with 2:32 remaining. The Bobcats played the final 10-minutes mainly with its sophomores and freshmen as they accounted for 24 points in the quarter. All thirteen players on the MSU roster scored.

"I'm super proud of how this team celebrates each other," Binford said. "It doesn't matter who we're rotating in, how many minutes, who's taking the shots, and they're all bought in."

Picton, a 5-5 guard from Welland, Ontario, finished with a career and game-high 24 points which included a career-best five three-pointers. She also dished out a career and game-high nine assists and added four rebounds and three steals in 22-minutes of play.

"Once that first shot goes in the second one feels a little bit easier," Binford said. "Natalie was absolutely in a zone, and played such a clean game on both ends of the floor."

Picton shot seven-of-nine from the field, five-of-six from beyond the arc, and was five-of-seven at the line.

Also, in double-digits for MSU were Philip 15, and Addison Harris 10.

As a team, MSU shot 50% (31-62) from the floor and connected on 12-of-24 from long distance. The Bobcats also converted 20-of-25 free throws. The Bobcat defense forced 29 Idaho State (6-9, 1-3) miscues owning a 40-5 cushion in points scored off turnovers.

ISU was led by Piper Carlson with nine points and ten rebounds.

Montana State hosts Weber State, Saturday, at 2 p.m.