Game Notes
POCATELLO, Idaho- Idaho State begins Big Sky Conference play with two straight home games, beginning Dec. 31 vs. Sacramento State at 2 p.m. at ICCU Court at Holt Arena. Prior to the start of the game there will be a ribbon cutting ceremony with ICCU as Friday will be the first game played on the new court. Idaho State then plays host to Portland State on Sunday, Jan. 2 at 2 p.m. There is also a Holiday three-pack ticket offer where fans can purchase a ticket to Friday's game, the women's 2 p.m. game on Saturday and the men's 2 p.m. game on Sunday for $10.
Idaho State leads the overall series 23-12 but Sacramento State has won three of the last four meetings. Sac State swept the season series last year winning 64-63 in Sacramento and 72-55 in Pocatello. ISU's last win over the Hornets was a 74-39 victory in Pocatello on Feb. 26, 2009.
Sacramento State is 3-9 and 0-1 in Big Sky play. The Hornets lost 88-79 in overtime at Eastern Washington on Wednesday. Sultan Toles-Bey leads the team in scoring at 12.8 points. Zach Nelson is the top rebounder at 5.2 a game. The Hornets are scoring 62 points a game, averaging 34.8 rebounds and shooting 41 percent from the floor.
Bengals in Big Sky Openers
Joe O'Brien and the Bengals are 2-2 in Big Sky Conference openers. This is the first year since the 2004-05 season that Idaho State has opened conference play at home. That year ISU lost at home to Montana, 70-41. The last time ISU won a conference opener was Jan. 3, 2008 at Northern Colorado, a 76-65 victory. Since 1998 the Bengals are 4-8 in Big Sky Conference openers.
ISU in Big Sky Home Openers
Joe O'Brien is 4-0 in Big Sky Conference home openers. On Dec. 31, 2009 ISU defeated Montana 67-65. ISU has two wins over Eastern Washington and two over Montana in conference home openers. In the last 12 years Idaho State is 7-5 in conference home openers.
New Year's Eve Party
Friday is only the fourth time the Bengals have played on New Year's Eve. The previous three meetings have all been since 2004 when ISU beat Great Falls 87-48. In 2007, ISU lost at Washington on New Year's Eve, 82-50 while last year the Bengals defeated Montana, 67-65.
Playing Neutral
Idaho State is 2-1 in nonconference neutral court games since Joe O'Brien has been the head coach. Prior to this season the only other neutral court game was a 66-57 win vs. Maine at Marquette in 2006. This is also the first in-season tournament Idaho State has played in since 2006.
Lets Play Three
The World Vision Invitational at Utah State was the first time since 2003-04 that Idaho State has played three basketball games in three days. In the 2003 season, Idaho State participated in the Top of the World Classic in Fairbanks, Alaska where it went 2-1. That year ISU lost the opening game to Rice then beat Binghamton and UTSA. Before 2003, the last time Idaho State played three games in three days was in the 1986-87 season.
