Big Sky Conference

Binford adds pair of Seton Hall transfers

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MONTANA STATE SPORTS INFORMATION

Montana State head women’s basketball coach Tricia Binford has announced two NCAA Division I transfers have signed financial aid agreements and will join the two-time reigning Big Sky Conference champions’ roster for the 2017-18 season.

Claire Lundberg, a 6-1 forward from Andover, Minn., and Martha Kuderer, a 5-11 forward from Eden Prairie, Minn., both transfer to MSU from Seton Hall. Both players will sit out the 2017-18 campaign under NCAA rules. Lundberg will have one year of eligibility remaining, while Kuderer has two seasons left.

Montana State head coach Tricia Binford/ by Brooks Nuanez

Montana State head coach Tricia Binford/ by Brooks Nuanez

“We are thrilled to announce the additions of Claire and Martha to our Bobcat family,” Binford said. “They are a natural fit for our program and the direction we are heading.  Next year, they’ll help make practices competitive and will bring championship experience to the gym. In addition, they’ll get a year to pick up the system and will be able to come in and make an impact right away.”

Lundberg, who played three seasons at Seton Hall, played in 26 games for the Pirates last winter, including 22 starts. She averaged 7.2 points and three rebounds per game. The Anoka High School graduate also connected on 51 3-pointers and shot 85 percent from the line, while averaging 25.7 minutes per contest. Lundberg posted a season-high 18 points against Marquette – all coming from beyond the 3-point arc. On the season, she posted seven double-digit scoring games.

“Claire is somebody that can really shoot it and has incredible scoring potential,” Binford said. “She is a great athlete and runs the floor very well. She’s played in a competitive conference and has been on teams that went to the NCAA Tournament.”

As a sophomore, Lundberg helped Seton Hall to a 23-9 overall mark and a 12-6 Big East ledger as the Pirates earned an at-large berth the NCAA Tournament, where they fell to Duquesne in the opening round. As a freshman, Seton Hall went 28-6 overall and 15-3 in league play and faced Rutgers in the first-round of the NCAA Tournament.

“Academics was also a key selling point for Claire,” Binford said.  “MSU’s engineering program was her No. 1 priority. She’ll pursue a dual degree in engineering and physics.”

Claire Lundberg

Claire Lundberg

Lundberg prepped at Anoka High School where she totaled 1,451 career points over her four-year career to rank second in school history. As a senior, she averaged 15.8 points and led the Tornadoes to a 22-8 overall mark and a sectional championship. She garnered All-Northwest Suburban honors for her efforts.

Due to illness, Kuderer was limited to just 16 games this past season, where she shot 52 percent from the field and 71 percent from the line. She tallied a pair of 10-point games against Butler and Georgetown, respectively. As a freshman, Kuderer played in 20 games and notched 10 points for the Pirates in its first-round NCAA Tournament game against Duquesne.

“Martha was heavily recruited out of high school and her upside is tremendous,” Binford said. “She is very versatile and can really shoot it as well. She’s a tough kid, she’s a physical kid and I am excited about what she brings to the table at the guard position.”

Kuderer prepped at Chanhassen High School and averaged 18.1 points and 9.0 rebounds per game as a senior. She was named all-state for her efforts. As a junior, she led the Storm to a third place finish at the Minnesota State Tournament as well as a Metro West Conference title.

“With the addition of Claire and Martha to our strong fall signing class we feel we have been able to strengthen the experience and future of our program,” Binford said.

Martha Kuderer

Martha Kuderer

The Seton Hall transfers are among six total players signed by Montana State. Kuderer, Lundberg and incoming freshman Tori Martell all played for the Minnesota Fury club team. MSU also has commitments from Fury players Sidney Zieske and Gabby Mocchi to sign in the fall of 2017 and join Montana State in 2018.

Bismark, North Dakota guard Coral Gillete, Denver-area forward Laura Pranger and Denver-area guard Ashley Van Sickle will also join MSU in the fall.

The Bobcats lose Big Sky MVP Peyton Ferris, All-Big Sky forward Riley Nordgaard and backup point guard Margreet Barhoum to graduation. Ashton Siegner, a 6-1 forward from Albany, Oregon, has been granted a medical hardship waiver. She will retire before appearing in a game for MSU after struggling for her entire career with knee injuries.

2016-17 Montana State Recruiting Class:

Coral Gillette                      G             6-0         Fr             Bismarck, ND/Bismarck HS

Martha Kuderer               F              5-11       Jr               Eden Prairie, MN/Chanhassen HS/Seton Hall

Claire Lundberg                F              6-1         Sr             Andover, MN/Anoka HS/Seton Hall

Tori Martell                         G             5-8         Fr             Somerset, WI/Somerset HS

Laura Pranger                    F              6-2         Fr             Centennial, CO/Cherry Creek HS

Ashley Van Sickle             G             5-7         Fr             Arvada, CO/Ralston Valley HS

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