WBB Travels to Pacific Northwest

GAME NOTES | LIVE VIDEO | LIVE ISU RADIO AUDIO

THIS WEEK IN IDAHO STATE BASKETBALL
Idaho State returns to action this week with a pair of games in the Pacific Northwest against Sacramento State and Portland State.  The Bengals take on the Hornets on Thursday before facing the Vikings on Saturday.  Both games are scheduled for 8 p.m. mountain time.

Mark Liptak will call both games live on KISU Radio. Live video will be available on  WatchBigSky.com and on the WatchBigSky app.


ABOUT SACRAMENTO STATE
The Hornets enter Thursday night's game as the top team in the Big Sky Conference at 5-1. They are fourth in the NCAA in scoring at 84.4 points per game but last in scoring defense allowing 88.3 points per game.

They attempt an average of 41.7 three-pointers per game while making 12.8 per game. That is the most in the NCAA while also holding the second best turnover margin +10.53/game.

Idaho State leads the overall series 35-4. The two teams split their matchups last season.

Guard Adella Randle-El is the niece of former NFL player Antwaan Randle-El
 
COACH SOBOLEWSKI ON THE HORNETS OFFENSE
"The key is to not try and play their style because they are going to be better at it then you. If you want to run up and down and press they are going to be better at it than you. It's tough to play against because you never have any more games like this your whole season. I think they have a really good coach. Coach Harkleroad has done a good job of what Jamie Craighead has done. He's brought in some really good players who have kept it going."

ABOUT PORTLAND STATE
The Vikings host Weber State on Thursday before welcoming ISU to the Rose City on Saturday.  They are just 1-5 in Big Sky play this season but their victory was over pre-season favorite and last year's champion North Dakota.  PSU jumped out to a 17-3 lead in that game before eventually winning 73-70.

ISU leads the All-Time series 28-20 and has won eight of the last 10.  

PSU is led in scoring by Emily Easom (13.5 ppg) and Mikaela Rivard (11.0 ppg).

COACH SOBOLEWSKI ON THE VIKINGS
"If you want to take Portland State for granted just think about what happened to North Dakota. One of the better teams in our conference went to Portland and lost by three. You have to go there and play hard. They are not just going to lay down.

LAST GAME RECAP FOR IDAHO STATE
ISU overcame a double-digit second half deficit for the second time this season to defeat Northern Arizona.  Grace Kenyon's shot with three second left on the clock proved to be the game-winner for the Bengals.  

Anna Lee Policicchio and Apiphany Woods led the way with 15 points each.

EXECUTION DOWN THE STRETCH
The Bengals are 3-0 this season in games decided by one possession.  ISU has won 15 of their last 21 games in that catagory. In games decided by five points or less they are 25-12 over that same span.

HIT THE BOARDS
The Bengals are 7-2 this season when they have more rebounds then their the opponent but are just 1-7 when the other team has more rebounds

MAGIC NUMBER IS 70
ISU is 4-1 when they score at least 70 points in a game this season.  They are 25-2 in the last four seasons when they reach that mark.

On the reverse side the Bengals are 0-6 when they allow 70 or more points this year and 12-51 under Coach Sobolewski when allowing 70+.

BLOCK PARTY
Anna Lee Policicchio has blocked a shot in 13 of the last 14 games.  She is 52nd in the nation with 2.12 blocks per game and 36 total. She had a  career-high five against the University of Houston and Utah Valley.

The Idaho State record for blocks in a season is 84 by Mandi Ortega in 1996-97.
 
DOUBLE-FIGURES FOR WOODS
Apiphany Woods has scored in double-figures in every game but five this season including a career-high 23 against Drake.  

FAB FRESHMAN
Grace Kenyon is the top freshman in the Big Sky in scoring (12.3 ppg) and rebounding (7.4 rpg)