Montana State University’s women’s basketball team secured a 78-57 victory over Montana on Saturday, marking their 24th win of the season. This achievement is the fourth-highest number of wins in program history, following previous records set in recent years under head coach Tricia Binford.
Taylee Chirrick continued her strong performance with her sixth “four-by-five” game this year, recording at least four points, rebounds, assists, and steals. She now holds the second-most such games in Division I this season. Chirrick’s defensive play was also notable; she collected five steals during the game. Her first-quarter steal brought her total to 125 for the season—a new single-season record for both Montana State and the Big Sky Conference. By game’s end, Chirrick increased that total to 129 steals.
In tournament play, Chirrick has accumulated 23 steals across four career Big Sky Tournament games.
Ella Johnson contributed defensively with four blocked shots against Montana. This is the second-highest total by a Bobcat player in a Big Sky Tournament game and brings her tally to nine blocks in six tournament appearances.
The Bobcats finished with 18 team steals during Saturday’s contest—just two short of tying the single-game record for steals at the Big Sky Tournament.
Montana State has now achieved three consecutive wins against Montana’s Lady Griz in each of the past two seasons. This marks the first time in program history that MSU has gone undefeated (3-0) against its rival in back-to-back seasons.
Additionally, MSU has posted double-digit offensive rebounds in 19 straight games and recorded double-digit steals in 28 out of its 30 games this season.
Looking ahead, Montana State will face either Eastern Washington or Northern Colorado on Tuesday after sweeping both teams during regular season matchups.
