ISU Hosts Bakersfield on Saturday in Holt Arena

Game Notes | Audio | Video | Tickets | Live Stats


POCATELLO, Idaho- Idaho State returns to the floor after Christmas break to host Bakersfield, a first-year member of the Western Athletic Conference, on Saturday, December 28, at 7 p.m. at ICCU Court in Holt Arena.

Bakersfield leads the series 3-1.  The most recent game was in Bakersfield on Nov. 23 when the Bengals dropped a 71-69 decision. The Bengals lost 75-56 in Bakersfield on Dec. 7, 2010 and 82-79 in Pocatello on Feb. 15, 2010.

Bakersfield is 6-7 and led in scoring by Issiah Grayson's 14.4 points per game. The team is averaging 71.5 points per game and shooting .450 percent from the field. The Bakersfield defense is giving up 68.2 points a game.

Bengals Ranked in the NCAA Statistics (as of Dec. 22)
Idaho State is ranked 19th in the nation in 3-point field goal percentage at 40.9 percent and ninth in steals at 9.9 a game. Jeff Solarin is ranked 26th in field goal percentage at 60 percent and Chris Hansen is 68th in 3-point field percentage at 40 percent. Tomas Sanchez is 60th in steals at two a game.

Tough Schedule
The Bengals Division I opponents are a combined 45-26 as of December 27.  Only Bakersfield and Idaho boast losing records at 6-7.  Utah is currently 10-1, Arizona State 10-2, Washington 6-5 and USF is 7-5.

Beyond the Arc
No Bengal basketball team has finished the season shooting 40 percent or greater from the 3-point line.  The school record for the best 3-point field goal percentage in a season is .392 (235-599) by the 2000-01 team. This year's team is currently shooting 40.9 percent from beyond the arc.

Where the Bengals Rank in the Big Sky Stats
Scoring: 3rd 74.4  Scoring Defense: 8th, 73.6  Scoring Margin: 7th, + 0.8
FT %: 3rd, 72.3  FG %: 5th, 45.8   FG% Defense: 11th, .487
3-point FG%: 1st, .409 Steals: 1st 9.9   Blocks: 7th 2.8   Assists:  7th 12.1  3-pointers made per game:  8th, 5.9

Individual Big Sky Conference Stat Leaders
Scoring: Chris Hansen, 6th, 16 PPG; Tomas Sanchez, 7th, 15.8 PPG
Rebounding: Jeffrey Solarin: 5th, 7.7 rebounds a game. Andre Hatchett: 8th, 6.9
FG%: Jeffrey Solarin: 3rd, 60.0 percent
Assists: Tomas Sanchez, 3rd, 4.9
Free Throw%: Tomas Sanchez, 10th, .829 percent
Steals: Tomas Sanchez, 2nd, 2.0; Evann Hall, 5th 1.8; Chris Hansen, 8th, 1.5
3-point field goal %: Tomas Sanchez, 6th, .452
3-point field goals made: Chris Hansen, 2nd, 2.8
Block Shots: Ayibakuro Preh, 4th, 1.4