They're also two reasons the Bobcats, who dropped a pair of 25-point decisions to UM last winter en route to a 3-23 record, have hopes of springing the upset in front of what figures to be a lively crowd at Worthington Arena. The 7 p.m. tip-off will be beamed to a statewide audience on KPAX-TV and other MTN stations.
“They're a better team, especially in terms of their overall quickness and depth,” said Coach Robin Selvig, whose sharpshooting Lady Griz (2-0 Big Sky, 14-1) opened conference play with easy home victories over Portland State and Eastern Washington. “Last season they were capable of dumping people, which they did. But they didn't have that capability night in and night out. That's changed.”
“Everyone talks about us being better, and then Robin turns around and his team gets better,” the former Boise State star said with a chuckle. “They're playing with great confidence. That's something we're still working on.”
While UM's best start in two decades has been fueled by familiar faces, most notably the talented sophomore backcourt of Mandy Morales and Sonya Rogers, newcomers have keyed MSU's resurgence. Australian native Rebecca Mercer is the Cats' leading scorer and best athlete, while fellow junior-college transfer Krislyn Wallace is the team's top rebounder. Erica Perry, a true freshman from Lynwood, Calif., starts at the point alongside Mercer and veteran Alyssa Nelson in what is essentially a three-guard lineup.
Unlike recent years, when taller UM teams powered past MSU in the halfcourt, this one should be an up-and-down affair.
“I think transition defense is going to be critical for both teams,” Binford said.
The Lady Griz, with Morales cracking the whip, lead the nation in 3-point accuracy (42.9 percent) and the Big Sky in scoring (79.9) and assist-to-turnover ratio. The Bobcats, using an array of pressure defenses, are the league runner-up in steals with a 10.4 average.
“They're a good transition team, they like to get after you and get out and go,” said Selvig, who has guided the Lady Griz to 16 NCAA appearances in 28 years. “I don't know about a high scoring game. But I certainly don't think it'll be a slow tempo.”
The 5-foot-9 Morales, a former Billings West star who signed with Arizona State before transferring to UM, has forged one of the most distinctive seasons in Big Sky annals. She's fifth in the nation in scoring (22.4), 11th in assists (6.2) and fourth in 3-point percentage (.494). Her ability to score from anywhere and get to the free-throw line, where she's an 89.6 percent shooter, create a matchup headache.
“Mandy just does things that make you shake your head,” said UM forward Britney Lohman, a Bozeman product who has blossomed as a sophomore into one of UM's key reserves.
EWU held Morales without a field goal last Saturday, but she still hit 11-of-12 free throws and dished five assists in 22 minutes as UM rolled 92-55, its second highest scoring game. Rogers, who scored a career-high 27 points against PSU, is also a dangerous perimeter threat.
Selvig has also been encouraged by the progress of 6-2 sophomore Tamara Guardipee, who pounded inside for a career-best 18 points and 10 rebounds against EWU, and is coming off consecutive double-doubles. She'll duel MSU's 6-2 Nubia Garcia, who scored 16 points last Saturday in a 72-63 victory over PSU.
“We're not the most physical team in the world, but we do have speed and quickness,” Binford said. “We have to attack them and make sure they earn everything they get.”
NOTES: Rogers shared Big Sky player of the week honors with Idaho State center Natalie Doma. Morales had won or shared the honor the previous five weeks, a league record. ... MSU reserve guard Brandie Buckless matched her career high with 15 points against PSU. Buckless was a high-school teammate of Lady Griz forward Johanna Closson at Whitefish. ... Selvig is 57-12 against the Bobcats. ... UM has won the past three games in Bozeman by an average of 20 points. ... MSU ranks fourth in the Big Sky in scoring defense and third in rebound margin. The Cats were last in both categories last season. ... Morales' three field-goal attempts against EWU were the fewest in her 38-game career. ... MSU reserve center Whitney Connolly, a 6-3 senior from Ennis, averages 10.6 points. ... Wallace is third in the Big Sky in rebounding (7.2), Guardipee fourth (6.9).
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