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NCAA WOMEN’S BASKETBALL: Canby native Nordgaard helps lead Montana State to Big Sky Conference title

RENO, Nev. – In the biggest game of the season, the Montana State University women’s basketball team went to its senior co-captains.

Big Sky Conference MVP Peyton Ferris posted 23 points and seven rebounds, while Riley Nordgaard added 16 points and 10 rebounds as the Bobcats punched their ticket to the NCAA Tournament with a 62-56 win over Idaho State University on Saturday.

The Big Sky Tournament title was MSU’s first since the 1993 campaign.

“When you talk about tournament time, it’s when your experience and seniors need to carry your team,” said MSU 12th-year head coach Tricia Binford. “And, I felt like they did that today.”

A pair of Ferris baskets sandwiched a layup by junior Rebekah Hatchard and MSU built its largest lead at 52-44 with 3:52 left. ISU’s Grace Kenyon answered with a 3-pointer, but once again, Nordgaard responded calmly hitting a triple from the left wing to push the margin back to eight points.

MSU was able to convert five of eight from the free throw line to secure the win in the final minute.

“The shot was feeling good today and I let ‘er fly,” said Nordgaard, an all-tournament selection on her three-point dagger. “And it went in, so it was good.”

Nordgaard finished the game converting six of 13 from the floor and four of six from long distance. She also posted her fourth straight double-figure rebounding game, corralling 13 rebounds.

For the game, MSU shot just 34 percent from the field, but connected on 54 percent in the fourth quarter when it needed it the most.

MSU will find out its NCAA Tournament First Round opponent tonight.

Content courtesy

of MSU Athletics

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