Cats dominate in seventh straight win over Lady Griz

The Bobcat women’s basketball team capped off a stellar week of play with a 73-59 win over in-state rival Montana on Monday, Jan. 24. The victory extended the Cats’ winning streak to four games and improved their record to 11-8 this season, including a third best 6-2 record in Big Sky conference play.

The Cats were led by sophomore forward Taylor Janssen, who came off the bench to record a team high 14 points and six rebounds in just over 25 minutes of playing time. Janssen’s scoring was fueled by stellar three point shooting as she went 4-4 from beyond the arc. “We were all really super excited to play this game,” Janssen said. “We all brought the energy right away. We all know how big this game is for everyone.” 

MSU also got help from junior guard Darian White and sophomore forward Katelynn Limardo, who both put up double-digit scoring totals. White finished with 13 points and five assists, and leads the Cats in both of those categories this season. “We're resilient, we are hungry to say the least and we've taken some really big steps these last couple of games,” White said of MSU’s performance on Monday night.

Although the Cats led by only four points at halftime, MSU was able to blow the game wide open in the third quarter, extending the margin to 13. By the time the clock ticked down to the final few minutes, it was clear the Bobcats had turned in a dominant performance.

The Cats’ victory on Monday night continues a pattern of dominance over the Lady Griz. MSU has won 12 of its last 14 meetings with UM, and has not lost a game to the Griz since February of 2018. “The Cat-Griz matchup definitely gets me more pumped up and excited to play them because of the atmosphere and people supporting and cheering for us,” White said in an interview with the Exponent. “The team and I try to focus on what is asked of us while executing the plays, and getting the defensive stops that we need to win and play the game that we play,” she added.

MSU’s current winning streak also includes wins over Idaho, Northern Arizona and Portland State. All four games were Big Sky conference matchups, as will be the remainder of the Bobcats’ schedule.

Looking ahead, the Cats travel to Cheney, Washington, to face off against the Eastern Washington Eagles on Thursday, Jan. 27. The Cats’ Saturday matchup against Idaho was postponed due to COVID-19 protocols within the Vandals program. MSU’s next matchip against the Lady Griz will be on Saturday, Feb. 26, in Missoula at 7 p.m. All Bobcat basketball games are broadcasted on ESPN+ or the Bobcat Radio Network.