Morales, pegged as one of the top women's college basketball players in the nation, was back practicing for Montana after sitting out six games with foot problems. The Big Sky MVP spent the last part of her workout shooting without a left shoe, easing the strain on her tender toes.
Morales says she's at “80 percent” and has been cleared to play in Friday's Lady Griz Holiday Classic opener against UC Santa Barbara at 7 p.m. at Dahlberg Arena. Unfortunately for her, she'll deal with foot pain probably for the rest of the season.
Morales was sidelined in late November and spent several weeks in a protective boot after tearing a capsule near her big toe. She no longer has swelling and has quit walking on the side of her foot to ease the feeling of bone-on-bone pain, but she's still hesitant to push off.
Morales averaged a team-high 19.8 points and 4.5 assists playing point guard for the Lady Griz (8-3) in their first five games. She'll move to shooting guard and Laura Cote will start at the point on Friday, according to coach Robin Selvig.
Morales' availability is a godsend this weekend. Montana's top defender, starting forward Britney Lohman, has been suspended by Selvig for the Holiday Classic after a team violation over Christmas break.
That makes for an even tougher challenge against the Gauchos, who have played a tough nonconference schedule. Santa Barbara (4-5) beat USC on Nov. 11 and played then-No. 3-ranked Maryland to a 75-71 game on Nov. 23.
Most recently, the Gauchos rallied from seven points down in the final 1:40 to beat Pepperdine, 65-63.
“They're strong, athletic and play a lot of kids,” Selvig said. “They get after you on defense.
“They will press some. But they have good pressure halfcourt defense and they have good athletes to do it.”
Santa Barbara forced 27 turnovers in its win over Pepperdine. Senior guard Jessica Wilson (5-foot-10) is the team catalyst, averaging 11.1 points and a team-high 5.9 rebounds per game. Teammates Chisa Ononiwu (5-7) and Sha'Rae Gibbons (5-7) are each averaging 11.1 points per game.
Montana has used strong defense and Sonya Rogers' steady scoring to put together a five-game win streak. The junior guard has been deadly in five home games, shooting 61.7 percent from the field and 55.6 percent from 3-point range.
Morales, who practiced twice this week, gives the Lady Griz another shooting threat the Gauchos must respect. That may open things up for Tam Guardipee and Sarah Ena in the paint, but don't expect Morales to play her usual 34 minutes.
“Mandy has been off a long time and we won't overdo it,” Selvig said. “I want to make sure we don't put undue pressure on her feet.
“She'll play considerable minutes, but I'll limit her some. I expect her to go out and play well. She's a good competitor.”
Morales said she expects a lot from herself.
“Once you get in a game you're on a totally different high and I think I'll just overcome it,” she said of her foot problems. “A lot of family is coming and they say ‘Don't push it because we're here.' I'll see what's up with my toe.”
In the previous 27 Holiday Classic events, the Lady Griz have posted an impressive record of 51-3. Montana has won the tournament eight years in a row.
Selvig said the Lady Griz tried unsuccessfully to line up a fourth team for this year's event. But because of the caliber of competition in Santa Barbara and Mississippi (5-5) on Sunday, Selvig feels this weekend will prepare his team well for its Big Sky home debut a week from Friday against Montana State.
Santa Barbara advanced to the second round of the WNIT last March. Mississippi reached the Elite Eight in last season's NCAA tournament before falling to perennial power Tennessee.
“You've got an SEC team and a West Coast power, so it's a good field,” Selvig said. “We'll see good quickness.”
Notes: The Gauchos have lost two of their last three games, including a 73-58 setback at Portland State ... Saturday's Holiday Classic game will pit UC Santa Barbara against Mississippi at 7 p.m. at Dahlberg Arena.
UC Santa Barbara at Montana Lady Griz
Friday, 7 p.m., Dahlberg Arena (7,321)
Tickets: $5 general admission, $7-13 for reserved, children 12 and under free in general admission with a paying adult.
Radio: KLCY 930 AM. TV: None.
Records: Montana is 8-3. UC Santa Barbara is 4-5.
Last outing: Montana defeated Montana-Western on Dec. 19, 70-37. UC Santa Barbara defeated Pepperdine on Dec. 17, 65-63.
Series: First meeting.
Up next: Montana plays Mississippi in the Lady Griz Holiday Classic on Sunday at 7 p.m. UC Santa Barbara plays Mississippi in the Lady Griz Holiday Classic on Saturday at 7 p.m.
Probable starters
UC Santa Barbara
2-Whitney Warren, 5-8, jr. 2.6 ppg
3-Chisa Ononiwu, 5-7 sr. 11.1 ppg
5-Jessica Wilson, 5-10, sr. 11.1 ppg
10-Kat Suderman, 6-4, jr. 7.3 ppg
11-Sha'Rae Gibbons, 5-7, jr. 10.4 ppg
Montana
3-Mandy Morales, 5-9, jr. 19.8 ppg
5-Johanna Closson, 6-0, sr. 8.5 ppg
10-Sonya Rogers, 5-7, jr. 14.5 ppg
11-Laura Cote, 5-8, sr. 6.1 ppg
51-Tamara Guardipee, 6-2, jr. 6.5 ppg
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