Bobcats top Lady Griz in Bozeman

Saturday, January 17

Bozeman, Mont.

2 PM

Montana

Montana State

1/17/2026 5:17:00 PM | Women's Basketball

By: Montana Sports Information

Big Sky Conference leader Montana State raced out to a quick 13-0 lead and led from start to finish in an 82-44 victory over the Montana women's basketball team at Brick Breeden Fieldhouse in Bozeman on Saturday afternoon.

One of the nation's top teams at creating turnovers, the Bobcats (12-4, 5-0 BSC) turned the Lady Griz (3-13, 0-5 BSC) over 14 times in the first quarter, 32 times for the game.

Combined with 16 offensive rebounds for Montana State, the Bobcats took 68 shots in the game to Montana's 41.

"Credit to Montana State. They played better than us today. We thought we had a plan to break the press," said Lady Griz coach Nate Harris.

"Montana State is relentless. (Montana State coach Tricia Binford) has done such a good job of getting her kids to play super hard with very active hands and just attack, attack, attack. When they snowball you with some turnovers and with offensive rebounds, they are really, really good."

Aby Shubert led Montana with eight points, Jocelyn Land and Kennedy Gillette both scored seven as the Lady Griz shot 34.1 percent.

Jamison Philip scored 23 points for the Bobcats, Taylee Chirrick scored 19, the two combining to shoot 16 for 21.

Despite the slow start and trailing 21-7 after the first quarter, Montana got off the deck and played a strong second period, holding Montana State to 4-of-18 shooting and forcing nine straight misses during one stretch.

But Montana's offense could never do quite enough to get fully back in the game. The Lady Griz had it down to an 11-point game, 28-17, in the final minute of the first half before two late Bobcat baskets made it 32-17 at the break.

Montana shot 2 for 10 in the second quarter, 5 for 19 in the first half.

A Land 3-pointer early in the third quarter pulled Montana within 15 at 35-20, but Montana State answered with a decisive 14-0 run to go up 49-20 and pull away for good.

The Bobcats shot 18 for 32 (.563) in the second half, going 6 for 12 from the 3-point line.

"I thought our zone was great in the second quarter. Gave us a chance, had we made some buckets, to get it under 10, which I think would have helped us a ton mentally," said Harris.

"Got a couple stops to start the third, had it to 15, then missed a couple lay-ups. If you can just get a little bit of doubt to creep in, you can help yourself. We missed a couple, then they got too comfortable against our zone and buried a couple threes. Next thing you know, it goes from 15 to 25."

Montana was playing its third consecutive game without senior point guard Mack Konig.

"You play any game without your primary ball-handler and it hurts. You play this game without your primary ball-handler and it's pretty daunting," said Harris.

Montana will have a quick turnaround, hosting Northern Arizona (7-12, 3-3 BSC) on Monday afternoon in Missoula. The Lumberjacks won at home Saturday, defeating Portland State 80-68.

"I believe in our team. You'll never get me to say otherwise," said Harris. "I'm going to relentlessly believe in my team until there are no more days left.

"We'll show up tomorrow and prepare for Monday. Our group is going to start winning. Our group is going to turn the corner."