Thursday, January 2
BOZEMAN
7 p.m.
Montana State University
11-2,1-0Big Sky
59
vs
56
Idaho
8-4,0-1Big Sky
1
2
3
4
F
Idaho
7
14
18
17
56
Montana St.
9
22
14
14
59
Taylee Chirrick
Photo by: Bobcat Creative Services
Chirrick’s Second Quarter Outburst Lifts Cats to Win
1/2/2025 10:06:00 PM | Women's Basketball
“Bottom line, we found a way to win,” Binford said.
Montana State freshman Taylee Chirrick exploded for 14 points in the second quarter helping the Bobcats to a double-digit halftime lead en route to a 59-56 win over Idaho on Thursday night in the Big Sky Conference opener for both squads in Worthington Arena.
Chirrick, a product of Roberts, nailed four consecutive three-pointers in a span of four-minutes, 30-seconds to give Montana State (11-2, 1-0) a 24-19 advantage. An Esmeralda Morales free throw with five-seconds left gave MSU a 31-21 halftime cushion.
"Offensively, we were a little out of rhythm," said MSU head coach Trica Binford. "We were a little bit out of control. Taylee's run really settled us down and gave us a lead we would never give up."
MSU built its largest lead of the contest at the 2:15 mark of the third quarter on a Dylan Philip free throw. Idaho (8-4, 0-1) cut the margin in half with a 6-0 run to close out the period.
Philip's layin off a Katelynn Martin steal with 2:22 remaining gave the Bobcats a 56-48 lead entering the stretch drive. The Vandals closed to within 56-54 on two consecutive three-pointers before Marah Dykstra pushed MSU's advantage back to four points.
UI countered on a basket by Jennifer Aadland with 44-seconds left, but Dykstra put MSU up 59-56 with 15-seconds remaining converting the front end of two free throws. Idaho's Anja Bukvic's three-point desperation heave missed the mark at the buzzer, giving the Bobcats the victory.
"Bottom line, we found a way to win," Binford said. "Defensively, I liked our effort. When we attacked the gaps, it created steals. Now, we need to focus on converting those opportunities and being more intentional with our shot selection."
Morales led three Bobcats in double figures with a game-high 17 points, including three triples. She also had a team-high eight rebounds and four assists. Dykstra finished with 15 points, six rebounds, and four assists, while Chirrick ended with 14 points, and a team-high four steals.
Aadland paced the Vandals with 12 points and eight rebounds.
Chirrick, a product of Roberts, nailed four consecutive three-pointers in a span of four-minutes, 30-seconds to give Montana State (11-2, 1-0) a 24-19 advantage. An Esmeralda Morales free throw with five-seconds left gave MSU a 31-21 halftime cushion.
"Offensively, we were a little out of rhythm," said MSU head coach Trica Binford. "We were a little bit out of control. Taylee's run really settled us down and gave us a lead we would never give up."
MSU built its largest lead of the contest at the 2:15 mark of the third quarter on a Dylan Philip free throw. Idaho (8-4, 0-1) cut the margin in half with a 6-0 run to close out the period.
Philip's layin off a Katelynn Martin steal with 2:22 remaining gave the Bobcats a 56-48 lead entering the stretch drive. The Vandals closed to within 56-54 on two consecutive three-pointers before Marah Dykstra pushed MSU's advantage back to four points.
UI countered on a basket by Jennifer Aadland with 44-seconds left, but Dykstra put MSU up 59-56 with 15-seconds remaining converting the front end of two free throws. Idaho's Anja Bukvic's three-point desperation heave missed the mark at the buzzer, giving the Bobcats the victory.
"Bottom line, we found a way to win," Binford said. "Defensively, I liked our effort. When we attacked the gaps, it created steals. Now, we need to focus on converting those opportunities and being more intentional with our shot selection."
Morales led three Bobcats in double figures with a game-high 17 points, including three triples. She also had a team-high eight rebounds and four assists. Dykstra finished with 15 points, six rebounds, and four assists, while Chirrick ended with 14 points, and a team-high four steals.
Aadland paced the Vandals with 12 points and eight rebounds.
Team Stats
UI
MSU
FG%
.463
.361
3FG%
.273
.455
FT%
.000
.417
RB
41
30
TO
23
12
STL
7
15
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
17
FGM
6
3FGM
3
FTM
2
Pts
15
FGM
6
3FGM
1
FTM
2
Pts
14
FGM
5
3FGM
4
FTM
0
Pts
5
FGM
2
3FGM
1
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's BasketballF
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's Basketball
G
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