WBB at Florida Gulf Coast

[BelgradeBobcat]

Up 34-28 at halftime.

[rfischer94]

My goodness, Dykstra is a force on the block. Now imagine when we can rotate her with Deden. Watch out, Big Sky!

[MSU01]

Cats by 3 with under 4 to go. FGCU is a very strong mid-major program and is on a 37 game home win streak.

Edit: Cats are going to win this one! FGCU tied it 47-47 but MSU ran off an 11-0 run. Dykstra is an absolute stud.

[grizrunr]

Wow, Lady Cats are really really good. I don't see anyone in the Big Sky beating them. FGCU had the second longest home winning streak in the country. Really impressive win.

[BelgradeBobcat]

Deden and Janssen may have a tough time cracking into this lineup whenever they get back!

[84CatGrad]

Cat D was solid all night. Forced lots of shot clock violations and late-clock shots. Offense was spotty - Morales had a hard time getting shots off - but Dykstra was great in the post and Chirrick had nine 3Q points, mostly on drives to the hoop. Chirrick defended FGCU's best player really well.

[Bocephus]

736 days since they lost at home the broadcast said. Wow. Way to go Cats!

[aucat]

This was a very impressive win!!

[MSU01]

FGCU is ranked #5 in the latest Mid-Major Top 25 poll, while MSU is #26 and the first "also receiving votes" team. One would think that MSU will enter the Top 25 next week, especially since FGCU's head coach is one of the poll voters.

https://www.collegeinsider.com/womens-mid-major-top-25

[TheJoeGoldstone]

That was an impressive win for an away game, especially in the last 2+ minutes with the 11-0 run. I'd agree with 84CatGrad on the play of Dykstra and Chirrick. There was no doubt they were MSU's most valuable players in this game. To call the team really, really good at this point isn't realistically looking at the facts though - 57.1% free throw shooting, 17 turnovers (many unforced), and also getting out-rebounded (Again). Letting GFC get 10 offensive rebounds is embarrassing, esp. for how tall the Cats are. In addition, the Lady Cats would have won by 20 if they would have made 1/2 their missed layups or inside looks. I'm confident Coach Bin is attempting to address these issues. I do think they have a good team and will be in the hunt for the Big Sky title. IF they can clean up the four areas mentioned, they will be dominant.

[aucat]

I agree that we seem to have trouble with the inside game regarding O boards and rebounding in general. I figured that NAU was the obvious favorite to win the Big Sky since they apparently have a strong post game. However I was really surprised to see NAU lose to South Dakota. We beat SD by 30 points. As Joe points out above, I think we will get better with the FT shooting and turnovers; however, I still am concerned at our problem on the boards and stopping easy inside baskets. Still, going on the road and finding a way to beat a team that had won 37 in a row is quite an accomplishment. I will be anxious to begin Big Sky play come Jan. 2nd.

[4Mare]

The whole team contributing in a great W! Can’t wait to see how Dykstra & Esme develop the pick & roll offence. Watch out for that duo.

Big Sky Conference just announced Marah Dykstra as the Player of the Week. More of those to come this season.

[Bobcat4Ever]

I thought Taylee Chirrick stepping up in the third quarter was pretty sporty. ‘Cats had only scored 2 points in the quarter with about 2:50 to go. Taylee came in and scored 9 points in a row in the next 1:43 against a 51 ppg defense. Layup. 3-pt. Layup. (Missed FT). Layup. Along with a rebound and a steal. The announcers couldn’t get over the fact that she’s a true freshman.

Plus/minus leaders were Ella (+16), Taylee (+15), and Marah (+11). Ella only scored two points, so the other team’s offensive production tumbles during her minutes. She had 7 rebounds, 1 block, 1 steal and only 1 foul.

[arvcat2]

I thought Taylee Chirrick stepping up in the third quarter was pretty sporty. ‘Cats had only scored 2 points in the quarter with about 2:50 to go. Taylee came in and scored 9 points in a row in the next 1:43 against a 51 ppg defense. Layup. 3-pt. Layup. (Missed FT). Layup. Along with a rebound and a steal. The announcers couldn’t get over the fact that she’s a true freshman.

Plus/minus leaders were Ella (+16), Taylee (+15), and Marah (+11). Ella only scored two points, so the other team’s offensive production tumbles during her minutes. She had 7 rebounds, 1 block, 1 steal and only 1 foul.

Where do you find the plus/minus stat at? I am curious if the overall season to date is available as, to me, it really defines a players tangible & intangible value to the team.

Chirrick really had a good game, especially that spurt that you pointed out. I big knock I have is her .455 free throw percentage for the year. At the free throw line, it seems she hurriedly fires off a dart at the back of the rim. Hope the coaches (or Morales) do something correct that part of her game.