eb. 4, 2021 – BOZEMAN, Mont. – Montana State point guard Darian White posted a game-high 17 points in 18-minutes of action, while back-up Ashley Van Sickle recorded a career-high 13 points and seven assists as the Bobcats routed Weber State 102-53 on Thursday night in Worthington Arena.
In all, twelve of MSU’s 14 players scored, including four in double-digits.
For the second straight game, Montana State (10-5, 7-2) jumped out early taking a 25-6 lead after the opening 10-minutes. MSU shot 47% in the first period and connected on 4-of-6 three-pointers. The Bobcat defense limited Weber State (0-12, 0-9) to 22% from the field.
“How you set the tone; how you set the tone on both ends of the floor always matters,” said MSU head coach Tricia Binford. “What I loved about our start was the defense. I think the very first possession we got a deflection and got a stop right from the start.
“Everything with our identity starts on the defensive end,” Binford added. “And we certainly did it.”
MSU built its advantage to 54-24 at intermission. White and Katelynn Limardo went to work in the second quarter scoring eight and five points, respectively, while Lexi Deden added five points and two rebounds in 3 ½- minutes of action.
The Bobcats shot 58.8% in the second frame and connected of 5-of-10 from long distance.
“We did a nice job not getting the ball stuck,” Binford commented. “When we get the ball reversed and keep it simple, we find very good shots and that’s where we start to see our flow, offensively.”
MSU built a 48-point cushion with just over a minute left in the third period and finished the quarter with an 82-37 advantage.
The fourth quarter featured freshmen Sydney Stensgard and Kenzie Stumne playing all ten-minutes, while three other first-year players- Taylor Janssen, Ava Ranson and Leia Beattie filled in around them. Janssen posted nine points in the final frame.
“Those kids work as hard as everyone else every day,” Binford said. “One of my favorite moments was seeing the starters on the bench and celebrating their teammates. We want to celebrate every person on this team, every value matters, every role matters. We want to be at an elite level. I’m really proud of that group to win the fourth quarter.”
Also finishing in double-figures were Deden 15, and Janssen, with a career-best 14 points, including a pair of 3-pointers.
MSU shot 53.6% from the field, connected on 15-28 from long distance and was 13-of-16 at the free throw line. The Bobcats also held a 40-28 edge under the glass, paced by Limardo with a team-high six rebounds.
Daryn Hickok led Weber State with 13 points and five rebounds.
MSU hosts Weber State on Saturday at 12 p.m. in Worthington Arena
Press Release courtesy of Tom Shulz – Montana State Sports Information.
Photos by Garrett Becker – Montana State Sports Information – All Rights Reserved.
