THE MATCHUP
The Montana State women’s basketball team and the Southern Utah Thunderbirds entered their Saturday afternoon matchup tied for 2nd place in the Big Sky. The two teams met last Thursday, where SUU pulled out a 70-60 overtime victory.
MSU came into today’s game coming off of a tough loss to a lowly Eastern Washington team, a performance in which MSU gave up an 11-point 4th quarter lead. SUU, meanwhile, came in off of a 77-53 blowout over Northern Colorado.
THE RESULT
On an emotional and energetic Senior Day, the Bobcats simply outplayed Southern Utah from start to finish, cruising to a 65-47 win and taking sole possession of 2nd place in the Big Sky. Eight different Bobcats scored five or more points and seven different ‘Cats collected five or more rebounds, which completely overmatched the Thunderbirds’ defensive efforts.
Southern Utah committed seven turnovers in the first six minutes of the game and were limited to a dismal 17 percent field goal percentage in the first half.
THE STANDOUTS
While several MSU players contributed on Saturday afternoon, sophomore forward Kaitlynn Limardo finished as the team’s leading scorer with 12 points. Limardo hit two threes, went 4-4 from the stripe, and brought down seven rebounds. Seniors Gabby Mocchi and Ashley Van Sickle each contributed as well; both players knocked down a 3-point shot in the second half to help the Bobcats pull away.
Senior forward Darri Dotson led the Thunderbirds with 13 points on an efficient 5-7 shooting, the lone bright spot on an SUU team that finished shooting 26.8 percent from the field.
QUOTABLE
“Every senior leaves a different legacy in a program, and I will tell you that both of these players (Mocchi and Van Sickle) have overcome tremendous obstacles and challenges while continuing to be selfless teammates.”
Montana State head coach Tricia Binford
“I’m grateful I’ve been in every position you can be in, so everyone on the team can relate to me in a way.”
MSU senior forward Gabby Mocchi
SOCIAL
This is a photo of Montana State AD @leonmcostello & #MSUBobcatsWBB head coach @CoachBin
— Skyline Sports (@SkylineSportsMT) February 19, 2022
But really it’s a photo of All-#BigSkyWBB point guard Darian White sitting on the court to take pics of her senior teammates. Thanks to @blamberty for the great shot! pic.twitter.com/e7AqBsgyOd
Darian finds senior Gabby Mocchi on the fastbreak and she hits the trey!
— Montana State WBB (@MSUBobcatsWBB) February 19, 2022
Bobcats up by 7 late in the 1st quarter. #GoCatsGo pic.twitter.com/boQs0gKZWW
ANOTHER And One as Darian goes up and she's fouled! She's got 6 points as the 'Cats continue to lead in #TheBrick pic.twitter.com/nOLrtk9mvB
— Montana State WBB (@MSUBobcatsWBB) February 19, 2022
Limardo connects from deep to open the Bobcat scoring in the 3rd quarter!
— Montana State WBB (@MSUBobcatsWBB) February 19, 2022
🎥 ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/L0ZXSGw7O9
A 3-pointer by the senior Ashley Van Sickle!
— Montana State WBB (@MSUBobcatsWBB) February 19, 2022
Bobcats up by 16 in #TheBrick. #GoCatsGo pic.twitter.com/IgS3dSSz3b
WHAT’S NEXT
Montana State’s final four regular season games will come on the road; they will visit Portland State on Monday and travel to Missoula for the second edition of Cat-Griz next Saturday.
Three of Southern Utah’s final four regular season games will come at home in Cedar City, highlighted by a matchup with the current No. 1 team in the Big Sky, Idaho State, on March 2nd.
