Idaho State at Weber State
Date: Thursday, Feb. 24
Site: Dee Events Center
Tip-off: 7:05 p.m.
TV: Big Sky TV
Live Stats: Weber State Live Stats
Radio: The Bengal Radio Network, KISU 91.1 FM, Pocatello. (Play by play:
Mark Liptak, Color Commentary:
Brad Bugger). Carried throughout Southern Idaho and on the Internet at www.isubengals.com.
Game Notes: Weber State
BENGALS IN ACTION THIS WEEK
Idaho State (16-9, 7-5 BSC) needs a win or a Northern Arizona loss to earn a spot in the Big Sky Tournament. The Bengals will get to control their own destiny when they play at Weber State (5-19, 1-11) on Thursday, Feb. 24 at 7 p.m. at the Dee Events Center. Due to the unique scheduling of Big Sky contests this season, it will be the first meeting of the year playing Weber State and Northern Colorado. ISU will switch from two road contests to hosting the final two games of the season.
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 play-by-play announcer
Mark Liptak. Fans can follow along through video streaming online at www.bigskytv.com as well as through live stats available on the ISU schedule page through www.isubengals.com.
SECOND BEST HOME ATTENDANCE RECORD AGAINST MONTANA
Idaho State set the second highest home attendance record since 2003 at Reed Gym with 1,818 fans. Unfortunately, Montana handed Idaho State its first loss at home for the season, in a back and forth battle 63-60, dropping ISU's home record to 10-1 and ending the second longest home win streak in school history at 14. Idaho State has averaged 1080 fans per game at Reed Gym this season. Under Sobolewski Idaho State has posted a 24-11 (.686) record at Reed Gym. The longest home win streak was 17 games from the end of the 1999-00 season to the start of the 2001-02 season.
NORTHERN ARIZONA CAN DECIDE ISU'S FATE
A Northern Arizona loss can earn the Bengals a spot into the post season tournament. The Lumberjacks host Sacramento State on Thursday, Feb. 24 at 6:35 p.m.
THE ROAD TO THE TOURNAMENT
Idaho State needs a win or a Northern Arizona loss to earn a Big Sky tournament appearance. If ISU qualifies it will be the Bengals eighth straight appearance, a school record, and third straight under the current coaching staff. ISU's farthest advancement in the Big Sky tournament was the semifinals its first season under Sobolewski.
PICKERING AND OAKES EARN FIRST ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICA
Senior guard
Chelsea Pickering and sophomore guard
Kaela Oakes are the first women's basketball players at Idaho State to earn Academic All-America awards for their outstanding achievements on the floor and in the classroom. Pickering and Oakes were both named to Capital One Academic All-America All-District VIII Second Team. Pickering holds a 3.66 GPA while double majoring in Health Care Administration and MBA. Oakes holds a 3.85 GPA while majoring in nursing.
QUICK NOTES ON OAKES
• Oakes leads all sophomores in assists averaging 3.4 per game.
• Recorded five 20-point performances this season.
• Holds the second best three-point field goal percentage for the season at 41.9 for all games.
• Holds the eight best scoring average in league play at 14.6 per game.
• Oakes has made her last 17 free throws dating back to ISU's contest against Portland State at home. She missed her first attempt against the Vikings hitting 3-of-4 from the line.
• Oakes' next made free throw marks her eligibility for top-ten career status in free throw percentage. She is currently hitting 79.2 percent from the line with a 99-of-125 effort. Her current free throw percentage would put her in seventh place.
LAST WEEK'S STANDOUTS
OAKES - Sophomore Oakes led the Bengals with 22 points on Thursday when the Bengals defeated Big Sky leader Montana State 74 -65. Oakes was 5-of-11 from the field and put away a game-high four three-pointers. She was 4-of-6 from the arc. She also pulled down two rebounds, made two assists and recorded a steal. Oakes recorded back-to-back perfect 6-of-6 efforts from the line against Montana State and Montana. Oakes scored eight points against Montana, had three assists, two rebounds and two steals.
VELLA - Sophomore forward Vella recorded back-to-back double figure scoring games with 12 points against Montana State and 15 points against Montana. She was 12-of-23 (52 percent) for the weekend and was 7-of-10 from the field against Montana. She also pulled down 10 rebounds three assists and one steal against both teams.
PICKERING - Senior guard Pickering recorded back-to-back double-figure scoring games including 13 points against Montana in 28 minutes where she fouled out. She posted 14 points against Montana State. She hit 54.5 percent from the field against Montana and averaged 6.5 rebounds over the weekend. She also had five assists against the Griz.
FAST BREAKS ON IDAHO STATE...
• Idaho State leads the Big Sky for all games in field goal percentage at 41.9 percent (73rd in the nation), three-point field goal percentage at 35.1 percent (40th in the nation) and in free throw percentage at 77.2 percent (8th in the nation).
• Idaho State has had four contests where Bengals have been perfect from the line with a 6-of-6 effort., a season-high. Oakes owns three of those records including back-to-back performances against Montana State and Montana at Reed Gym.
• Pickering is tied for the eighth best record in school history for made three-point field goals at 88.
• Idaho State has hit 40 percent or better from the field 14 times, 40 percent or better from three-point range 13 times and 90 percent or better from the line. Idaho State has had 10 games this season where they have hit 40 percent or better from both the field and from the arc.
WIN TOTAL EXCEEDS LAST SEASON'S
Idaho State improved to 16 wins for the season tying for the fifth most victories for a Head Coach at Idaho State. If Idaho State wins its last five games of the regular season the Bengals have the opportunity to earn 21 wins for the second most in a single season at Idaho State. ISU's record is held by Ardie McInelly with 25 wins during the 2000-01 season.
ABOUT WEBER STATE
Weber State has captured just five victories this season and one in conference play overcoming Portland State 65-52 at home. The Wildcats are on an eight-game losing streak falling most recently at Eastern Washington 55-52. Justine Johnson led Weber State with 17 points while Mikell Woodfield had a team best six rebounds. Weber State is down to eight players on the roster due to injury.
SERIES INFO AND LAST MEETING WITH THE WILDCATS
Weber State leads the series 41-28 with Idaho State on a two-game win streak. Idaho State has won seven of the last nine meetings and nine of the last 12.
The Bengals posted their first sweep of Weber State last season under Sobolewski and were swept their first season with the head coach. They have played two overtime contest under Sobolewski resulting in a 1-1 effort.
ISU comes off a 79-75 victory over the Wildcats at Reed Gym. In the last meeting, Videbeck led ISU with 20 points, five assists and five steals. Vella chipped in 15 points, hitting 6-of-8 from the field, and Pickering recorded 17 points, 11 from the line. The Wildcats had two players with double-doubles, Caitlin Anderson with 27 points and 10 rebounds and Tonya Schnibbe with 12 points and 13 assists. Sarah Conner notched 15 points.
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