Kalispell's Patrick O'Connell records first tackle in NFL

SEATTLE — Former Glacier High and Montana Grizzlies football star Patrick O’Connell made a big splash on his birthday Sunday by making his first NFL tackle for the Seattle Seahawks, against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Lumen Field.

The Wolfpack product was elevated from the practice squad to the 53-man roster on Saturday along with former Montana State safety Ty Okada due to a wave of injuries to the Seahawks on defense.  

O’Connell made an impact on special teams with his first career tackle coming in the third quarter as a part of the kickoff team. After a Seahawks field goal on the ensuing kick O’Connell and teammate Artie Burns combined to bring down Steelers return man Godwin Igwebuike to put the former Griz linebacker in the stat sheet.

O’Connell has been a member of the Seahawks practice squad throughout this season after landing with the team as an undrafted free agent. 

The Seahawks made the same move on Dec. 9 for their game against San Francisco, making him the first Glacier Wolfpack football product to play in the NFL. He was moved  back to the practice squad on Dec. 11.

Lady Griz win 5th straight

MISSOULA — Carmen Gfeller and Gina Marxen scored 12 points each and the Montana women’s basketball team won their fifth straight game Sunday, beating Big Sky Conference foe Idaho State 66-55 at Dahlberg Arena. 

The Lady Griz (8-3 overall, 2-0 in the Big Sky) put up 27 points in the first quarter and held the lead the rest of the way, earning their first win over ISU (4-7, 0-2 in league) in six tries.

Nine players scored for UM, with six scoring between seven and 12. Maggie Espenmiller-McGraw had 11 points.  Maria Dias scored 15 points to lead the Bengals.

Montana led 40-29 at halftime and a 3-pointer by Espenmiller-McGraw made it 62-43 early in the fourth quarter.

Dani Bartsch added eight points and seven rebounds for the Lady Griz. Marxen hit three 3-pointers, and Bartch and Espenmiller-McGraw had two each.

The Lady Griz host South Dakota (11-4) on Wednesday at 7 p.m. and play at Nebraska-Omaha (4-9) on Saturday at 1 p.m., as part of the Big Sky-Summit Challenge. Wednesday’s game will be the last at home for Montana until Jan. 25. 

Bobcat women tip Weber by 14

BOZEMAN — Madison Hall’s 13 points led four Montana State players in double figures, and the Bobcats put away Weber State 57-43 Sunday afternoon at Breeden Field House.

Katelynn Limardo added 12 points and 10 rebounds for MSU (7-6, 2-0 in the Big Sky), which never trailed and built a 34-20 halftime lead.

Marah Dykstra and Natalie Picton chipped in 10 points each. The Bobcats hit just one 3-pointer in 11 attempts, but still led 57-38 with 1:26 left on a Taylor Janssen layup.

Laura Taylor led the Wildcats (5-11, 0-2) with 11 points, including three 3-pointers.

Montana State hosts North Dakota State on Wednesday, Jan. 3 at 5:30 p.m. as part of the Big Sky-Summit League Challenge.