Feb. 6, 2009
Complete Women's Basketball Game Notes: Northern Colorado 
Quickly
Idaho State kicks off the second half of the Big Sky series as they host Northern Colorado at Reed Gym Saturday, February 7 at 2:05 p.m. The Bengals host their fourth consecutive match at home against the Bears as they are 1-2 at home as of their late stay dropping their last game with a one point difference in overtime. The last time the Bears and Bengals met up ISU was victorious by five points. Idaho State posts a 3-5 Big Sky Conference record to hold fifth place in the league with Montana State. The Bengals are 6-15 over the course of the season.
About Idaho State
The Bengals come off their first overtime game of the season against Weber State ending in a 78-77 loss. Idaho State who plays with a roster of eight active athletes saw foul trouble hurt their line-up during the overtime period as three Bengals fouled out. However, with the roster down to eight players ISU has seen more players in double-digit scoring as it has had at least three players in double-figure scoring in its last three contests. Senior Jenna Brown comes off her most productive scoring game with a career-high 24 points while junior Oana Iacovita posted her fifth double-double of the season with 16 points and 10 rebounds.
ISU is averaging 61 points while their opponents have averaged 63.3 per game. However, the Bengals are more accurate than their opponents shooting 40.6 percent accuracy from the field while their opponents are hitting 38.1 percent. ISU is also shooting well from the arc converting 35.8 percent of its attempts.
Women's Basketball in the Big Sky
As the second series of the 2008-09 season begins every team in the conference will have an improved plan of their opponent in the second series as they will have a chance to view themselves against the team earlier in the season. However, the Bengals have the possibility to learn even greater lessons as ISU had no video from the previous year of most of their players to view. ISU looks forward to a week to prepare for the Bears and the chance to view their own footage of their players in ISU's games. Conference play is as follows for the week:
Thursday, Feb. 5
Portland State at Northern Arizona, 6:30 p.m. -- Northern Colorado at Weber State, 7:00 p.m. -- Eastern Washington at Sacramento State, 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 7
Northern Colorado at Idaho State, 2:00 p.m. -- Montana at Montana State, 2:00 p.m. -- Portland State at Sacramento State, 2:00 p.m. -- Eastern Washington at Northern Arizona, 6:30 p.m.
* Big Sky Game/Match, - All times are local to site and subject to change
Like the Energizer Bunny, Brown Keeps Going and Going...
Senior Jenna Brown just keeps going like the Energizer Bunny as she upped even her own previous best of 40 minutes to play 45 straight minutes in the overtime game against Weber State. Brown has played all 40 minutes in seven separate games and one 45 minute game totaling 325 minutes of time without getting a sub. Brown posted 40 minutes against Boise State, Utah Valley, Colorado, Northern Colorado, Portland State, Northern Arizona and Sacramento State. Three of those seven games have occurred at Reed Gym (PSU, NAU, SAC). Brown will most likely continue to see 40 minute games or more as she is a productive member of the squad and a leader. Even with all her playing time Brown is staying fresh hitting career-high numbers. Against Sacramento State she pulled down a career-high eight rebounds and posted a career-high 24 points against Weber State.
Rules Say Play On Bengals, Play On
The Bengals come off their first overtime game of the season against Weber State that ended in a 78-77 loss. Idaho State who plays with a roster of eight active athletes saw foul trouble hurt their line-up during the overtime period as three Bengals fouled out. With the possibility that enough players could foul out to reduce the on-court presence to four or less the Bengals are relieved to find that they can still play with the numbers as long as the referee believes that both teams have an opportunity to win if they make it down to one player:
Rule 3, Section 1, Articles 2 and 3 (Page 53):
Article 2: Each team may continue to play with fewer than five players when all other squad members are not eligible or able to play.
Article 3: When there is only one player participating for a team, that team shall forfeit unless the referee believes that both teams have an opportunity to win.
Rebound Average Equals Height
Senior Brown is stepping up in conference play and it is certainly showing on the stats. The 5-3 guard is hitting the boards hard as she averages her height in rebounds during Big Sky Conference games (5.3 per game).
Iacovita Doubles Up
Oana Iacovita posted her fifth double-double of the season against Weber State with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Five Big Sky Conference players have posted five double-doubles this season, including Bengal Michelle Grohs. Only Julie Piper of Eastern Washington has recorded six. Idaho State and Eastern Washington post two players with 5-6 double-double performances for an individual player.
She Will, She Will...Block You!
Michelle Grohs leads the conference in blocked shots. She continues to lead the Big Sky Conference in blocked shots over all games and averages 1.33 per game posting 28 this season.
Rebound Showdown
Idaho State has struggled with offensive rebounds in conference play, but so has Northern Colorado as they post the worst offensive and defensive rebounding efforts in the Big Sky for the 2008-09 season. Northern Colorado averages 9.62 offensive per game and 23 defensive. While Idaho State hovers just a spot above in conference play with 10.88 (11.48 for the season). Idaho State averages 24.10 defensive rebounds.
Grohs to Pass Doma in Blocked Shots
Senior Grohs will more than likely surpass Natalie Doma on the career blocked shots top-ten list, as the Bengal averages 1.33 blocks. Currently, the former teammates are tied at 110 career blocks each for the fourth best record in school history. The all-time school record is held by Mandi Carver who set the record with 180 from 1998-2002.
Threes Sit Right with Senior Grohs
Grohs is also climbing the record book in three-point field goals made as she currently holds the fourth best mark with 113. She will need just four more to hold third place over Stacy Nelson. Grohs' former teammate Andrea Lightfoot holds the record with 182 from 2005-08.
Happy Birthday Coach!
It will be an sweet victory for assistant coach Jordan Green if the Bengals defeat Northern Colorado at home on Saturday, February 7th as game day is his birthday. He is in his fifth season with Idaho State.
