Bobcats Ride Fast Start to Decisive Win Against Lady Griz in Dahlberg Arena

Saturday, February 14

Missoula, Mont.

2 p.m.

Montana State University

18-6,11-2Big Sky

Montana

7-17,4-9Big Sky

Montana St.

Montana

Ella Johnson

Photo by: Bobcat Creative Services

Bobcats Ride Fast Start to Decisive Win Against Lady Griz in Dahlberg Arena

2/14/2026 5:58:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score

Ella Johnson scored a career-high 17 points for MSU

By: Bill Lamberty

MISSOULA, Mont. (Feb. 14, 2026) – Montana State's quick starts have become a trademark, but to head coach Tricia Binford it's not about the points.

"It's about the mentality," Binford said after her team beat Montana 72-55 to complete a regular-season sweep of MSU's arch-rivals. The Cats scored 17 of the game's first 21 points and never allowed the lead to shrink to single-digits after the game's opening salvo.

"Every team wants to set the tone with a fast start," she said. "Sometimes you get off to a great start, sometimes you don't. We just want to play four complete quarters."

Junior Ella Johnson set a career high with 17 points, including seven in the first quarter. She also added six rebounds, two steals and two blocked shots. "I think it was the most complete game on both ends of the floor that she's played," Binford said.

While the Bobcats forced 18 Lady Griz turnovers on Saturday, eight fewer than the team's season average, but held UM to 39 percent shooting. That included 17 percent in the first quarter.

UM guard

Montana State got off to its accustomed quick start. Addison Harris scored on a second-chance opportunity to open the game, then Jamison Philip hit a short jumper to give MSU a 2-0 lead. After a Mack Konig basket halved the lead, Ella Johnson triggered a 10-0 Bobcat run that spilled into the second quarter.

In fact, the run grew to 28-6 and included six turnovers forced by Montana State. Johnson scored seven points in the first quarter, when MSU shot 10-16 from the floor while holding the Lady Griz to 3-16 shooting.

UM mustered a second-quarter rally, trimming a 34-10 Bobcat lead with a 12-0 run. Avery Waddington connected on a pair of triples , and Kennedy Gillette finished it with back-to-back baskets.

But in the last minute, the Bobcat defense and Chirrick's inevitability rose to the top. MSU's three stops to close the half allowed Chirrick and Johnson the opportunity to expand the lead to 40-22 with back-to-back three-pointers.

"It's huge when you have veterans that don't show a reaction," Binford said. "When things are going against you, there are two ways you can go. You can go, 'Next play, move on,' or you can let it affect you. We moved on."

Montana State finished the first half shooting at a 55 percent clip, and limited the Lady Griz to 29 percent. MSU actually turned the ball over eight times before halftime, forcing only seven, but the Cats out-rebounded UM 22-14 before the intermission.

The Bobcats proved to be a steady and relentless force throughout the second half, intent on closing the game. Montana State's lead never grew past 20 after the intermission, but never shrunk smaller than 13.

While Johnson's 17 points led all players, Addison Harris scored 15 points, Chirrick 14 and Jamison Philip 11 for the Bobcats. Johnson and Philip each grabbed six boards, and Chirrick added four steals and three assists. Kennedy Gillette scored 12 points for UM, Avery Waddington 11 and Rae Ehrmann 10.

The Cats now own five straight wins against UM, and 15 of the last 17. Saturday's win was MSU's 10^th all-time in Dahlberg Arena, and Binford owns seven of them.

Montana State raised its record to 18-6 overall, 11-2 in Big Sky play, with the win. Montana falls to 7-17, 4-9. The Bobcats host Weber State on Thursday at 7 pm.

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