Bobcat Basketball Update

Classes may not have been in session, but the Bobcat basketball teams were as busy as ever during the break, collecting important preseason wins and starting conference play. Up to this point in the season, each team has played 16 games, with the women off to a 9-7 start (4-2 in Big Sky play) and the men building a 7-9 record (4-2 in Big Sky play). With eyes on the NCAA tournament, the conference season has heated up for both teams with heavy-hitting games arriving early in the season.

Women’s

The women’s team came into the year with a fresh offense, with senior forward Claire Lundberg and junior guard Martha Kurderer alongside a collection of returning underclassmen. The Cats opened against Carroll College and defeated the Saints with ease, running away to a 64-48 victory. With the honor of participating in the prestigious Preseason Women’s National Invitational Tournament, the Cats went on a long road trip where they faced off against high-level competition. Showing the grit that defines MSU Athletics, the Cats came away with two impressive victories, taking down the University of Delaware and Texas State University. A loss to the University of Marquette, the 19th-ranked team in the nation, was their only blemish of the tournament.

A trip across the state border had the Cats facing off against the University of Wyoming. A tightly contested game throughout saw Wyoming sneak away with the win 66-58. Home wins against Long Beach State and the University of Omaha had the Cats on the prowl heading into conference play with an even 5-5 record.

The opening game of conference had the Cats pitted against the Southern Utah Thunderbirds. Tough defense and timely shots down the stretch left the Cats with a 69-64 victory. Northern Arizona University followed shortly after where the Cats grabbed an 80-70 victory. Looking to remain unbeaten in conference, the Cats journeyed to Portland to face off against Portland State University. Despite a valiant effort, the Cats left empty handed after a 55-53 loss. The women’s team next made a quick journey down the coast to Sacramento for a bout against the Sacramento State Hornets. An explosive second half pushed the Cats back in the win column with a 69-53 victory. A well-earned return home found the Cats staring at the pre-season favorites to win the conference — the University of Idaho. Despite finding the way in the paint, the Vandals sank the Cats by virtue of 16 three-pointers to hand the Cats their second conference loss 82-66.

With the toughest matchup of the conference season, the Cats took on the University of Northern Colorado (UNC) in Greeley, Colo. on Jan. 14. UNC came into the game undefeated in conference play. The Cats went on to take care of business with an impressive outing defeating the Bears 79-66. Sophomore guard Tori Martell led all Cats with a career high 19 point outburst.

Next up, the Cats return home with a bout against Eastern Washington on Saturday, Jan. 19 at the Brick.

Men’s

The men’s team returned much of the starting lineup from the previous year while adding several impressive freshmen and Livingston native, junior guard Ladan Ricketts. With a powerhouse of talent, the Cats began the season with their eyes on a Conference championship.

Early on the Cats saw a fair amount of struggles as they looked to find their identity on both sides of the court. They won just one of their first seven games and just three of their first ten. Since that point, the Cats have won four of their last six bringing them to a respectable 7-9 record on the season. In the non-conference, the win to hang their hats on was a dazzling 95-90 victory over PAC-12 opponent Washington State University.

The Cats opened conference play against Southern Utah where they breezed by with an emphatic 92-62 victory. A slight hiccup on the conference schedule followed as the Cats dropped a game to Northern Arizona 74-68. A return home brought the winning spirit back as they rolled off two straight at home handling Portland State and Sacramento State 98-88 and 84-70, respectively. A road trip to Moscow, Idaho brought their winning streak to three games as they topped the Vandals 77-67.

With a three-game winning streak on the line and the first place University of Northern Colorado Bears coming to town, the Cats were in for a fight on Jan. 14. The game came with many ups and downs throughout. The Cats snagged the lead several times during the contest, but in the end they fell just short, 73-70, their second loss in conference play. Senior guard Tyler Hall dropped 25 points, but it was not enough to swing the tide in the favor of the Cats.

Next, the Cats travel to Cheney, Washington to battle the Eastern Washington Eagles on Saturday Jan. 19.

Come back next week to talk some three’s with Z.