The Montana women’s basketball team aims to extend its three-game winning streak as they enter a critical week in the Big Sky Conference. Set to host Portland State and Sacramento State at Dahlberg Arena, the Lady Griz (6-13, 3-5 BSC) will face the Vikings (5-14, 1-6 BSC) on Thursday at 7 p.m., followed by a match against the Hornets (10-10, 4-3 BSC) on Saturday at 2 p.m. This weekend’s game against Sacramento State will be the team’s annual N7 game.
Montana is riding high after last week’s victories over Northern Arizona, Weber State, and Idaho State, all in just six days. Noteworthy was their overtime win at Idaho State, marking their first time achieving three consecutive wins in nearly a year. The victories were closely contested, with the Lady Griz winning by a combined margin of only eight points—demonstrating their grit in tight situations. The team has shown resilience in close games, having won four straight that were decided by five or fewer points this season.
Last Thursday’s game against Weber State ended with a score of 51-50, where the Lady Griz’ win was encapsulated by a stellar performance from Lexie Waddington, who scored all of Montana’s fourth-quarter points to secure the win. This season has seen impressive bench contributions, especially from freshman Delaney Ehrman and Wacker, each stepping up significantly in the absence of senior point guard Maddy Konig, who has missed the last six games.
Looking ahead, Montana faces Portland State, which is currently struggling with a 1-6 conference record under first-year coach Karlie Burris. The Vikings’ leading scorer, sophomore guard Kyleigh Brown, averages 18.6 points per game and has demonstrated her scoring ability throughout the season. On the other hand, Sacramento State brings back Big Sky Preseason MVP Benthe Versteeg, aiming to maintain their competitive edge after a rocky middle stretch of their season.
Montana holds a significant historical advantage over both teams; they lead the series with Portland State 57-23 and have maintained a strong home record against the Vikings, winning four consecutive meetings. Their dominance over Sacramento State is equally pronounced, leading the series 51-9 with a 30-1 record at home.
The Lady Griz are on track to boost their momentum further before embarking on a road trip to play Eastern Washington and Idaho. The upcoming matchups will test their resolve and aim to improve their standing, offering both players and fans hope for the remainder of the season. The games will be broadcast on ESPN+ and radio coverage will be available on KGRZ and the Varsity Network, making it accessible for fans to cheer on their team.