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Bobcat women hold off Lady Griz in Missoula

by UM and MSU Communications
| January 26, 2025 12:00 AM

MISSOULA — Esmeralda Morales scored 17 points, including a tie-breaking free throw with 4.6 seconds left, and Montana State escaped Robin Selvig Court with a 67-66 women’s basketball win over Montana Saturday afternoon.    

The Bobcats’ 11th straight win was in doubt until the very end: The Lady Griz called time out and worked freshman Avery Waddington free for a pass under the basket. Her shot was contested by MSU sophomore Ella Johnson and fell short. Johnson secured the rebound and win.   

Morales added six assists and six rebounds.  

“It’s just pride,” said Morales, playing in her first Cat-Griz game after joining the Bobcats as a grad transfer from Portland State. “I wanted to make sure I did everything to get the win for Montana State and my teammates. We’re family, so anything we can do to get the win.” Dylan Phillip added 13 points and Marah Dykstra 11 for the Bobcats (18-2 overall, 8-0 in the Big Sky Conference).   

Waddington had a game-high 21 points, 15 coming in the fourth quarter. It was the freshman that started Montana (7-12 overall, 3-5 in league) back from a 51-39 deficit with a basket at 1:44 of the third quarter.  

After Morales hit two free throws for MSU, UM’s Aby Schubert drained a three to cut the gap to 53-42 heading to the fourth quarter.  

Waddington sandwiched two layups around a 3-pointer as the Lady Griz pared the gap to 56-51 with 8;20 left in the game; she hit another three with 4:03 left to cut it to 60-59.  

There were four lead changes in the final 2:57, starting with two Mack Konig free throws that put Montana in front 63-62.  

Philip hit a baseline jumper to get MSU back in front, but Waddington hit her third 3-pointer with 1:31 left to make it 66-64, Montana.  

Morales answered with a driving layup for MSU with 1:18 left, and after Waddington missed a tie-breaking three with 21 seconds left, she fouled Morales under the Bobcat basket. Morales missed the first free throw and made the second.  

In front of 3,422 fans, Montana held up reasonably well against Montana State’s vaunted pressure, committing 17 turnovers.  

Katelynn Martin added nine points and six boards for the Cats. MSU freshman Taylee Chirrick had eight points, three steals and five assists.  

“We’re fortunate that we have some seasoned veterans in big moments,” MSU coach Tricia Binford said. “But we also have a freshman class that’s fearless and doesn’t know any better.” 

Waddington was 9 of 17 from the floor. Dani Bartch hit a pair of 3-pointers and scored 10 points to go with 16 rebounds. Taylor McCliment-Call also had 10 points for UM.  

“You don’t play to be close. You play to give yourselves a chance to win,” said acting head coach Nate Harris, who is 2-2 guiding the Lady Griz in the absense of head coach Brian Holsinger, who has been placed on leave.  

“Our group is proving that they belong. They are proving that they are going to be a problem in March.”