Montana State University guard Taylee Chirrick has been recognized as the U.S. Basketball Writers Association (USBWA) National Women’s Player of the Week and the Big Sky Conference Player of the Week. This marks the first time a Montana State player has received the USBWA award, and it is also the first such honor for any Big Sky Conference athlete this season.
Chirrick’s recent performances have contributed to her receiving these honors. Over two home games last weekend, she scored a total of 43 points, collected 19 rebounds, made seven assists, and recorded 16 steals. During Thursday’s game against Sacramento State, Chirrick played a key defensive role with five steals and seven rebounds in a 66-31 win. She also contributed 12 points and five assists in that game, achieving her fourth Division I-leading “4-by-5” game this season—meaning at least five points, rebounds, assists, and steals.
On Saturday against Portland State, Chirrick achieved her second career triple-double with 31 points, 12 rebounds, and 11 steals in a 91-43 victory. According to sports-reference.com and NCAA Stats, her performance had the highest game score in women’s college basketball on that day. The triple-double was notable for being only the fourth on record in Division I women’s basketball history to include at least 30 points along with rebounds and steals—and it was accomplished in less than 28 minutes of play.
Chirrick now ranks second nationally with an average of 4.3 steals per game. Within the Big Sky Conference, she stands second in scoring with an average of 18.3 points per game and seventh in rebounding at 7.2 per game.
“The USBWA award is the first for a Bobcat. It’s also the first by any Big Sky player this season, and the first of Chirrick’s career,” according to Montana State University officials.
She has earned three Big Sky Conference Player of the Week awards over the past five weeks and now has five such honors this season.
