BOZEMAN — Montana State’s Tori Martell capped off her senior year as one of the best perimeter shooters in the Big Sky Conference, but she’s not done wearing a Bobcat uniform just yet. She’ll wear it one last time Thursday shooting for her chance at the national 3-point championship.
“It’s very exciting but kind of intimidating," said the senior guard. "I’ve never obviously been on ESPN or anything, but I think it’s just something that not a lot of people look to in their lives, and I think it’s just going to be a really exciting way to end my whole basketball journey.”
Martell finished her career with the Bobcats third on the all-time 3-point chart with 211 makes, including a new school record this season with eight 3-pointers made in a single game.
She finished first in four different 3-point categories this season in the Big Sky, ultimately landing her a spot on a national stage.
"Coach (Tricia Binford) had actually told the whole team when she told me after the Sacramento (State) game, the last game there, so it was really exciting," Martell added. "The whole team was super excited for me, and it’s just a great honor to obviously get to go shoot on national television."
During Thursday's State Farm 3-Point Championships, Martell will have one minute to shoot at five different spots around the perimeter, which will each have a rack with five basketballs. The first four basketballs at each spot are worth one point, but the moneyball is worth two.
“It’s definitely harder shooting off a rack than having a perfect pass straight to my pocket, so getting used to shooting off a rack has been a little bit more difficult," Martell explained. “Me and (Montana State assistant coach Geoff Golden) have been trying to work through what the best way to run around the racks or putting the rack on my left side so it’s easier for me to pick up and just kind of working out all those little things that will hopefully help with the time so I can take a little bit more time on each shot.”
She was one of eight players selected nationwide to compete in the women’s 3-point contest, which will take place Thursday at 7 p.m. MT in Indianapolis on ESPN2.
“This last opportunity to get to wear a Montana State jersey is really special, and it’s going to be a lot of fun," Martell said.
