Event Preview
Overview
The Montana State Bobcats are set to host the North Dakota Fighting Hawks in a women's basketball matchup on Saturday, December 6, 2025, at 6 p.m. Mountain Time (MT) in Worthington Arena, Bozeman, Montana. This game is part of the Big Sky Conference/Summit League Challenge, a series of inter-conference games aimed at fostering competition and camaraderie between the two leagues. The Bobcats lead the all-time series 14-7, with the most recent meeting on November 18, 2023, where Montana State secured a 60-53 victory. (msubobcats.com)
Season Snapshot
Montana State Bobcats
The Bobcats enter this game with a 5-2 overall record. Their most recent outing was a 90-65 loss to North Dakota State on December 3, 2025. In that game, junior Issy Bunyan led the team with a career-high 22 points, including six three-pointers. Sophomores Taylee Chirrick and Addison Harris also contributed 15 points each. (msubobcats.com)
North Dakota Fighting Hawks
The Fighting Hawks have struggled this season, holding a 1-8 record. Their most recent game was a 86-56 loss to Montana on December 3, 2025. In that matchup, Mackenzie Hughes led the team with 15 points, while Skyler Volmer added a career-high 12 points off the bench. (fightinghawks.com)
Recent Form
Montana State has faced challenges in their recent games, particularly in their loss to North Dakota State, where they allowed the Bison to shoot 55.8% from the field and 61.1% from three-point range. Defensive lapses have been a concern, as highlighted by head coach Tricia Binford's comments on the team's defensive performance. (msubobcats.com)
North Dakota, on the other hand, has been struggling to find consistency, with their lone win coming against Southeastern University on November 10, 2024. Their recent loss to Montana underscores the team's ongoing challenges in both offense and defense. (fightinghawks.com)
Talking Points
- Defensive Adjustments: Can Montana State improve their defense after allowing high shooting percentages in recent games?
- Offensive Consistency: Will North Dakota find a reliable scoring option to support Mackenzie Hughes?
- Home Court Advantage: How will the Bobcats leverage their home-court advantage in this matchup?
- Big Sky-Summit Challenge Implications: What impact will this game have on the overall standings in the Big Sky-Summit Challenge?
Players to Watch
- Taylee Chirrick (Montana State): A sophomore guard averaging 19.6 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game, Chirrick has been a consistent offensive threat for the Bobcats. (foxsports.com)
- Mackenzie Hughes (North Dakota): Leading the Fighting Hawks with 11.6 points per game, Hughes has been the team's primary scoring option. (foxsports.com)
- Issy Bunyan (Montana State): After a standout performance with 22 points against North Dakota State, Bunyan will look to continue her strong play. (msubobcats.com)
- Ava Miller (North Dakota): Averaging 10.0 points and 11.5 rebounds per game, Miller provides a significant presence in the paint. (foxsports.com)
Key Matchups & Storylines
- Guard Play: The battle between Montana State's Taylee Chirrick and North Dakota's Mackenzie Hughes will be pivotal, as both are central to their teams' offenses.
- Rebounding Battle: With Ava Miller's presence in the paint for North Dakota, Montana State's frontcourt will need to step up to control the boards.
- Defensive Strategies: Montana State's ability to adjust defensively after recent high-scoring games will be crucial against North Dakota's offense.
Fun Facts
- Montana State leads the all-time series against North Dakota 14-7. (msubobcats.com)
- The Bobcats' 22-point loss to North Dakota State on December 3 was their largest margin of defeat this season. (msubobcats.com)
- North Dakota's 86-56 loss to Montana on December 3 was their largest margin of defeat this season. (fightinghawks.com)
Things to Chirp About
- "Can Montana State's defense bounce back after allowing high shooting percentages in recent games?"
- "Will North Dakota find a reliable second scorer to support Mackenzie Hughes?"
- "How will the Bobcats leverage their home-court advantage in this matchup?"
- "What impact will this game have on the overall standings in the Big Sky-Summit Challenge?"
Prediction
While both teams have faced challenges this season, Montana State's home-court advantage and offensive firepower, led by Taylee Chirrick and Issy Bunyan, may give them the edge in this matchup. However, North Dakota's resilience and the presence of Mackenzie Hughes and Ava Miller could make it a closely contested game. Overall, Montana State is likely to secure a victory, but the outcome may be closer than anticipated.