GAME NOTES | LIVE VIDEO | LIVE AUDIO
THIS WEEK IN IDAHO STATE BASKETBALLThe Bengals approach the final five games of the season with their hopes of making the Big Sky tournament resting on the outcomes of these contests. ISU hosts three consecutive home games before heading on the road for their final two games of the season.
Conference leading Montana pays a visit to the Idaho Central Credit Union Court on Thursday night at 7 p.m. before Montana State journeys to Pocatello on Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m.
Mark Liptak will call the games live on KISU Radio. Live video will be available on WatchBigSky.com and on the WatchBigSky app.
With five games left on the season the Bengals find themselves tied for seventh place in the Big Sky standings. The top eight teams make the conference tournament. ISU has qualifed for the post-season tournament in 11 consecutive seasons.
| School | Conf | Pct | Overall | Home | Away | Streak |
|---|
| Montana | 10-3 | 0.769 | 17-7 | 10-2 | 6-3 | L1 |
| Sacramento State | 9-4 | 0.692 | 11-13 | 7-2 | 4-11 | W1 |
| Eastern Washington | 8-4 | 0.667 | 15-8 | 8-2 | 6-6 | W4 |
| North Dakota | 8-5 | 0.615 | 16-9 | 10-1 | 5-8 | L2 |
| Northern Arizona | 7-5 | 0.583 | 11-12 | 10-4 | 1-8 | W2 |
| Northern Colorado | 7-6 | 0.538 | 13-11 | 7-4 | 5-7 | W3 |
| Idaho State | 6-7 | 0.462 | 11-13 | 7-4 | 3-8 | L3 |
| Weber State | 6-7 | 0.462 | 11-13 | 7-6 | 4-6 | L1 |
| Southern Utah | 5-7 | 0.417 | 12-10 | 9-4 | 3-5 | W1 |
| Montana State | 5-8 | 0.385 | 11-13 | 8-3 | 2-10 | W1 |
| Idaho | 4-8 | 0.333 | 10-13 | 4-4 | 5-9 | L1 |
| Portland State | 1-12 | 0.077 | 3-21 | 2-10 | 1-11 | L9 |
ABOUT MONTANAThe Griz enter Thursday night's game as the top team in the Big Sky. They are 10-3 in conference play but are coming off a loss in their last game to Northern Colorado. The loss snapped Montana's 23-game home winning streak.
The Griz lead the Big Sky in scoring defense allowing just 56.1 points per game. The Bengals fell 77-65 in the match-up in Missoula earlier this season. UM is led in scoring by Kellie Rubel at 13.8 ppg. She scored 23 against the Bengals on January 10.
ABOUT MONTANA STATEThe Bobcats travel to Weber State on Thursday before making the trip north to Pocatello for the Saturday afternoon tilt against the Bengals. MSU enters the week with a 5-8 record in conference play. They are led in scoring by Jasmine Hommes (17.0 ppg). She is third overall in the Big Sky in that catagory.
The Bengals defeated the 'Cats 65-62 earlier this season in Bozeman. ISU trailed by two at halftime but rallied to pick up the victory. ISU limited MSU to just 34.4% from the field (21-61) in the game including only 25% (8-32) in the second half.
EXECUTION DOWN THE STRETCH
The Bengals are 3-1 this season in games decided by one possession. ISU has won 15 of their last 22 games in that category.
In games decided by five points or less they are 25-13 over that same span.
HIT THE BOARDSThe Bengals are 9-4 this season when they have equal or more rebounds then their the opponent but are just 2-9 when the other team has more rebounds.
MAGIC NUMBER IS 70ISU is 6-2 when they score at least 70 points in a game this season. They are 27-3 in the last four seasons when they reach that mark.
On the reverse side the Bengals are 0-8 when they allow 70 or more points this year and 12-53 under Coach Sobolewski when allowing 70+.
A WINNING NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONThe Bengals finished the first month of 2015 with a 6-4 record. It is the most wins in a month since the 2011-2012 team finished January with a perfect 8-0 mark and went on to win the Big Sky championship.
WORKING INSIDEThe Bengals have attempted and made the fewest amount of three-pointers in the Big Sky Conference this season.
ALL THAT JAZZPoint guard
Jasmine Lemon is coming off a career-high in points (23) against Southern Utah. She has scored in double figures in five of the last six games. She had reached the double-digit plateau just five times in the other 18 games on the season.
Over that stretch she is shooting over 40% from beyond the arc as well as over 80% from the free-throw line.
DOUBLE-FIGURES FOR WOODS
Apiphany Woods has scored in double-figures in every game but six this season including a career-high 23 against Drake, Sacramento State and North Dakota.
In Big Sky Conference games this season she is fourth in scoring at 17.0 ppg
1. Stacey Barr (Idaho) 20.9 PPG
2. Stephanie Lee (Northern Colorado) 18.6 PPG
3. D'Shara Strange (Northern Colorado) 18.4 PPG
4. Apiphany Woods (Idaho State) 17.0 PPG
BLOCK PARTYAnna Lee Policicchio has blocked a shot in 19 of the last 21 games. She had a career-high five against the University of Houston and Utah Valley.
Her 49 blocks so far this season are the sixth most in ISU single-season history.
1 Mandi Ortega 84 1996-97
2 Lori Heeter 71 1991-92
3 Mandi Ortega 69 1997-98
4 Mandi Carver 50 2001-02
Mandi Carver 50 1999-00
6 Anna Lee Policicchio 49 2014-157. Michelle Grohs 48 2008-09
FAB FRESHMAN
Grace Kenyon is the top freshman in the Big Sky in scoring,rebounding and assists.
She has scored in double-figures in 13 of the last 16 games for ISU. The Washington native has pulled down five or more rebounds in every game this year but four.
