Montana State secured a dramatic 79-77 overtime victory against Eastern Washington on March 10, advancing to the Big Sky Championship Game for the second consecutive season.
The win was highlighted by freshman Brianne Bailey’s three-point shot in the final seconds of regulation, tying the game and sending it into overtime. Addison Harris described the moment, saying, “I swung her the ball and yelled, ‘Shoot it!'” Harris added, “I watched it go up, and, like, touch the ceiling. I’m pretty sure I saw God reach down and touch the ball, it touched heaven and went straight through (the hoop), perfect swish. Never seen anything better.”
Head coach Tricia Binford said, “Eastern played an incredible game.” Montana State had led by as many as 19 points late in the second quarter but saw its lead disappear as Eastern Washington rallied in the second half. The Bobcats managed to hold off several comeback attempts before Bailey’s shot forced overtime.
In overtime, both teams traded baskets until Montana State made six of eight free throws in the final minute and successfully defended a last-second shot from Eastern Washington’s Jaecy Eggers. Taylee Chirrick contributed key plays throughout the game and said about Bailey’s performance: “The thing about Bri is that she’s a confident player. That’s something that you can’t really teach necessarily. In situations like that it’s important to have a player that’s going to take that shot and be confident in it. Obviously confidence is going to be important when you take that shot.”
Harris credited teamwork for their success: “Our will power won that game for us,” she said. Bailey also spoke about her faith during crucial moments: “Before I subbed in (prior to the decisive possession of regulation), I prayed, ‘Heavenly father, this is all for you.'”
Montana State (25-6 overall, 16-2 Big Sky) will face Idaho (28-5, 17-1) on Wednesday at 3 pm for the championship title.
