Montana State Bobcats

   
            Montana State senior standout Erica Perry was named to the All Big Sky Conference First-Team, while junior Sarah Strand garnered second-team accolades; and sophomore Katie Bussey, honorable mention kudos. The all conference teams were released by the Big Sky Conference office, Monday afternoon.

          “I’m proud of our team, and proud of the way these three individuals stepped-up to be leaders on the floor,” said MSU head coach Tricia Binford.  “Each is very deserving of the honors, and shows how balanced a team we have. Erica is one of the best in the league; Sarah is an outstanding defensive player; and Katie is a great outside threat and as ‘clutch’ a player there is in the Big Sky Conference.”

            Perry, a point-guard from Lynwood, Calif, earned her second straight first team honor after guiding the Bobcats to a 16-13 overall mark and a 9-7 Big Sky slate. One of the top point-guards in the Big Sky the last four seasons, Perry averaged 13.2 points, ranking among the top 10 in the league. She also led the Big Sky in steals and was seventh in assists.

          Aside from earning second-team honors, Strand, a 6-1 forward, was named Co-Defensive Player of the Year, along with Eastern Washington’s Brianne Ryan. Strand finished the regular-season averaging 13.4 points, 7.3 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game. In conference games, she ranked among the top ten in all three categories, as well. In addition, Strand set a new MSU single-season blocks record (59) and is only two swats away from becoming the Bobcat career leader as just a junior.

          Bussey, a 5-9 guard, was MSU’s leading scorer, averaging 13.6 points per game. She also led the squad with 69 three-pointers, which ranks second on MSU’s single-season list. The native of Alamosa, Colo., was second in the Big Sky in three-point makes and three-point field-goal percentage.