Since the Big Sky Conference began sponsoring women’s sports in the fall of 1988, just one league team has won games at the NCAA basketball tournament.
The Montana Lady Griz, coached by the legendary Robin Selvig, were no strangers to winning NCAA Tournament games prior to the Big Sky putting its brand on women’s sports. Selvig guided his Lady Griz juggernaut to the NCAA Tournament in 1984 and 1986 as members of the old Mountain West.
The Lady Grizzlies’ captured victories as a member of the Big Sky in 1989, 1992, 1994 and 1995. Those victories combine to rank seventh on the list of the Big Sky Conference’s “25 Greatest Women’s Moments.’’
A year after nearly losing a heart-breaking 74-72 overtime game to Stanford at Maples Pavilion, the Lady Grizzlies were back in the tournament in 1989. Paced by 22 points from Jeanne McMulty, Montana beat Cal State Fullerton 82-67 in front of 6,074 at Dahlberg Arena to give the Big Sky its first official win in the NCAA women’s tournament.
Montana’s next tournament victory came in 1992, but getting there was difficult. Boise State, Montana and Montana State were all involved a tight race in the regular season. Boise State won the regular-season title, but the Lady Griz won the tournament to secure a bid to the NCAA Tournament for the fifth straight season.
“The conference was good,” Selvig said. “It was a battle between us, Boise State and Montana State for first. Boise won the regular season and we went down there and won the tournament. Shannon (Cate) was having some huge games at the time and it was very competitive.”
The Lady Griz beat rival Montana State 73-69 in the first round, and then defeated host Boise State 82-67. Cate, a Kodak All-American, was named the tournament Most Valuable Player after scoring a tournament-record 75 points in two games.
Montana headed to Madison, Wisc., to face the No. 6 seeded Wisconsin Badgers. In its previous six tournament appearances, Montana opened with home games at Dahlberg Arena, so this would be a huge challenge.
Cate, who battled a shoulder injury part of her senior year, exploded for 34 points as the Lady Griz upset the Badgers 85-74.
“Wisconsin was ranked,” said Selvig. “It was a nice crowd down there and we were able to get the win. Shannon had a good game.”
Montana found itself just one game away from the Sweet 16. Despite the shoulder injury, Cate poured in 26 points, but lost to USC 71-59 in Los Angeles. The Lady Trojan team featured Lisa Leslie, who went on to win four Gold Medals as a member of the USA Women’s Basketball Team.
The 1993-94 season is considered by many as the best in the history of Big Sky women’s basketball. Boise State and Montana were both ranked in the Top 25. Both teams finished 12-2 in conference. Montana won a coin toss to earn the right to host the conference tournament.
The Lady Griz were ranked 17th, while Boise State was ranked 21st in the Associated Press’ Division I women’s basketball poll. Montana beat Boise State 81-65 in the championship game. Anna Lake was named the tournament MVP, and teammates Kelly Pilcher and Kristy Langston were also named to the all-tournament team.
The Lady Griz were rewarded with a first-round game at home against UNLV. With nearly 8,000 fans packed at Dahlberg Arena, Lake, a Missoula native, scored 20 points, as the Lady Griz won 77-67.
“It was a nice thing,” said Selvig about hosting. “That was when they were going by attendance and you obviously had to have a good season. It obviously gave you a better chance to win and it was pretty exciting. It helped to host NCAA Tournament games. The crowds were great and it was pretty cool.’’
Montana headed to face No. 2 seed Stanford, which won the 1992 national championship. Selvig’s club stood toe-to-toe with the Cardinal, before falling 66-62. Trish Olson led the Lady Griz with 14 points. Trish Olson is now known as Trish Duce, and is an assistant for Selvig along with Cate-Schweyen.
"That was one we could have won,” said Selvig about the Stanford game.
The Lady Griz returned to the NCAA Tournament in 1995 after winning the Big Sky Conference regular-season title with a 12-2 record, and downing Montana State in the championship game. Kristy Langton-Schlimgen was named the tournament MVP.
The Lady Griz traveled to play San Diego State in the first round in Southern California. Montana’s Jody Hinrichs scored 16 points to lead her team to a 57-46 win.
“San Diego State was a good team,” said Selvig. “We beat them at their place. We had two road wins in NCAA.”
In the second round, Purdue ended UM’s season with a 62-51 win.
“I remember Kristy (Langton-Schlimgen) blew her knee at the start of the Purdue game,” added Selvig. “We played them very tough. They were big and long. It was obviously a good year. We won a road game and we had a chance to get to the Sweet 16.”
Unfortunately, a Big Sky team hasn’t won a game since Montana’s win over San Diego State. The Lady Griz have played in the tournament 10 times since 1995, giving them 20 total NCAA tournament appearances.
In 2004, Montana hosted first and second-round tournament games. UM nearly pulled off an upset of Louisiana Tech in front of 7,413 at Dahlberg Arena. The late Julie Deming scored 29 points in the loss.
