Idaho State Hosts Northern Arizona in Big Sky Opener Thursday

Idaho State vs. Northern Arizona
Date: Thursday, January 6, 2011
Tip-off: 7:05 p.m.
Site: ICCU Court at Reed Gym
TV:  Big Sky TV
Live Stats & Ticket Information: www.isubengals.com
Radio: KISU 91.1 FM (Mark Liptak play-by-play and Brad Bugger color commentary) and on the Internet at www.isubengals.com.

Game Notes: Northern Arizona


BENGALS IN ACTION THIS WEEK
Idaho State (9-4) hosts its Big Sky season opener against Northern Arizona (5-8) on Thursday, Jan. 6 at the ICCU Court at Reed Gym.  Tip-off begins at 7:05 p.m.  The Bengals are on a six-game win streak and a nine-game home win streak.  Idaho State is undefeated at home with a 5-0 record at Reed Gym this season and is on a six-game Big Sky opening win streak. 

MULTIMEDIA INFORMATION
ISU's contest will be broadcast by KISU 91.1 FM and online at www.isubengals.com.  The action will be brought to you by women's basketball play-by-play announcer Mark Liptak with color commentary from Brad Bugger.  Fans can follow along through video streaming online at www.bigskytv.com as well as through live stats at www.isubengals.com.  Fans can purchase tickets at www.isubengals.com or by calling 208-282-FANS.  Individual game tickets can also be purchased one hour before tip-off.

ABOUT THE BENGALS
Idaho State leads the Big Sky Conference shooting percentage from every spot on the floor including field goal percentage at 41.3, three-point field goal percentage at 35.8 and free throw percentage at 78.6.  Idaho State is averaging 67.8 points per game leading the Big Sky in scoring margin at +6.8. 

BENGAL STANDOUTS
Idaho State is led in scoring by Chelsea Pickering averaging 18.2 points per game while hitting 43.5 percent from the floor.  She also leads ISU with 32 steals this season.  She is two away from a career 100 steals.  Ashleigh Vella leads the Bengals from the field at 51.9 percent (55-of-106) and in rebounds averaging 6.1 per game.  Kaela Oakes leads ISU from the arc at 46.3 percent (19-of-41).  Three Bengals average over 80 percent from the line, but Vella tops them all hitting 82.6 percent (38-of-46).

FOUR BENGALS IN DOUBLE FIGURE SCORING
Idaho State has four players in double-figure scoring for the fourth straight week.  Senior guard Pickering not only leads the Bengals but the Big Sky Conference with 18.2 points per game.  ISU's other three players to average double-figures in scoring is sophomore forward Vella with 12 ppg followed by sophomore guard Oakes and freshman guard Lindsey Reed with 11.1 ppg.  All four players are starters for the Bengals along with senior guard Andrea Blodgett who averages six ppg. 

IDAHO STATE LEADERS
Pickering leads the Big Sky in consecutive double-digit scoring games with 11 straight.  She has led Idaho State in scoring eight times and is on a three-game streak.  Freshman Lindsey Reed  has led the Bengals three times in scoring for the second most for ISU.  Vella, Reed and freshman forward Cydney Horton have led the Bengals in rebounding four times.  Horton has led in rebounding in the last two games pulling down seven rebounds in each game. 

ABOUT NORTHERN ARIZONA
Northern Arizona snapped its five game losing streak with a convincing 74-57 victory over Iona at the Rolle Activity Center on Dec. 30.  NAU's longest win streak was three games giving NAU a 3-0 home start for the season.  The Lumberjacks are tied for fourth in the league rankings with a 5-8 record.  NAU posts the third best field goal percentage in the Big Sky at 39 percent. 

LUMBERJACK STANDOUTS
Sophomore guard Amy Patton leads the Lumberjacks in scoring averaging 16.1 points per game.  She is the only 'Jack to average double-figures.  Patton has led NAU in scoring five times this season.  She posted a season-high 28 points against San Jose State in a 67-53 victory for NAU.  Not only does she lead the team in scoring but in rebounding as well pulling down 5.8 per game. 

SERIES INFO AGAINST NORTHERN ARIZONA
Idaho State leads the series 30-23 with ISU on a three game win streak.  Idaho State has overcome Northern Arizona six of its last eight meetings.  The Bengals swept NAU last season capping off the run with a 71-64 victory on the road.  Head Coach Seton Sobolewski is 2-1 against Northern Arizona.