It’s a true test of character.
The Idaho State women went all in against the Montana Grizzlies Thursday night, but the Lady Griz — behind an unlikely hero — overcame the Bengals 57-52.
Now the Montana State Bobcats come calling less than 48 hours later.
And burying the pain of a five-point loss to the Grizzlies is easier said than done.
“Right now, you’ve just got to shake it off,” said Kaela Oakes, who along with Ashleigh Vella scored in double figures against Montana. “That’s what (head coach Seton Sobolewski) keeps emphasizing to us.”
But a gutting loss to a conference rival that dropped the Bengals to 10-8 overall and 5-4 in the Big Sky — squarely in the middle of the pack — is a difficult thing to accept and move on from.
If there is a team, though, that can grab ISU’s attention, it’s Montana State.
MSU — winners of its last seven — are true road warriors. The Cats are 8-1 on the road and 5-0 away from Bozeman in conference.
It’s a dynamic offensive squad, averaging 66.5 points with a 41.3 field-goal percentage (third and second in the league, respectively).
Senior Rachel Semansky, a 6-foot post, is fifth in the conference averaging 13.9 points a game. After her 5-for-7 effort in the Cats’ 67-37 demolition of Weber State Thursday, Semansky is converting 59.1 percent of her field goal attempts — fifth in the nation.
“It’s phenomenal she’s shooting almost 60 percent from the field,” Sobolewski said. “That’s incredible. ... She’s going to be a handful.”
And Semansky isn’t the only scoring threat for the dynamic and diverse Bobcats. Sophomore Kalli Durham chips in 12.7 a game and Ashley Brumwell, a junior, adds 10.4 a night.
Durham is particularly deadly from the perimeter.
“Durham will shoot it from deep and not think twice about any shot,” Sobolewski said. “She’s not shy at all.”
Against Clemson Nov. 23, a 58-52 Bobcat victory, Durham had a season-high 23 points, and at Eastern Washington Jan. 5, the 5-foot-7 guard bombed away 10 times from the 3-point line.
Montana State, however, has proven it’s more than a fluid, effective offensive unit. This season, the Cats are playing defense.
“They’ve probably been paying attention to the history,” Sobolewski said. “The best defensive team in the conference, or one of the best defensive teams in the conference, have won it the last two, three years. I think they’re making that adjustment.”
By holding opponents to 34.5 percent shooting from the field — best in the Big Sky — and snatching the second-most steals a contest, the Cats have been a juggernaut on both ends of the floor.
Like D’Shara Strange at Northern Colorado, MSU’s senior guard Latisha Adams, at 5 foot 9, uses her size and athleticism to bully opposing guards.
“She’ll pick you up full court, but where she’s really dangerous is in transition offensively,” Sobolewski said. “She’s really good at getting to the basket. She’s a big strong point guard so it’s a tough matchup for someone like Kaela Oakes who’s only 5 foot 5.”
The Cats roll out tough matchups all over the floor for Idaho State to pick up, but it’s the second contest of a four-game homestand. Win and the Bengals are in position to remain in the top-half of a deep conference.
In other words, it’s an opportunity to bounce back big from a bitterly disappointing loss.
“If we can get this ‘W,’ it’ll keep us in the top,” Oakes said. “We really need to work towards that.”
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