(Editor's Note: Montana State Press Release)
SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Tori Martell completed the regular season the way any senior would want. The product of Somerset Wis. connected on seven-of-12 three-point attempts and led all scorers with 23 points as Montana State recorded an 81-66 win over Sacramento State on Friday afternoon in The Nest.
Martell hit five triples in the first half to give Montana State (16-6, 13-3) a 39-27 advantage at intermission.
MSU held a 16-point cushion with 3-minutes 23-seconds remaining in the third quarter on a Darian White layup off the fastbreak. Sacramento State (2-21, 2-18) closed the margin to 59-49 heading into the final frame.
The Bobcats converted 9 of 10 free throws in the fourth quarter and built its largest lead at 20 points on two occasions, the last coming with 2-minutes 25-seconds left on a pair of Lexi Deden charity tosses.
Also hitting double-digit for the Bobcats was White with 17 points, connecting on 7 of 15 from the field. The Boise, Idaho native also posted seven assists, five steals and four rebounds. Freshman Leia Beattie came off the bench for nine points, all from long distance. The Bobcat bench outscored the Hornets 23-15.
“I’m proud of how we started and how we finished,” said MSU head coach Tricia Binford. “Tori was in her zone; Darian was impacting the game in every stat category and the team showed our depth is a great strength.”
For the game, MSU shot 43.1% from the floor and 45.2% from beyond the arc, connecting on 14 of 31 triples. The Bobcats also went 11 of 14 at the free throw line.
The Bobcat defense limited Sacramento State to 38.5% from the field and just 26.1% from long distance. The Hornets went 20 of 30 at the line. MSU also forced 18 miscues which led to a 25-10 advantage in points off turnovers.
Each team pulled down 37 rebounds. Montana State was led under the glass by Katelynn Limardo with six rebounds, while Beattie and Deden added five, apiece.
Jordan Olivares paced Sacramento State with 17 points.
Montana State will play at the Big Sky Conference Tournament on Tuesday, March 9 in Boise, Idaho.
