POCATELLO, Idaho – Idaho State returns home to Reed Gym on Wednesday evening, hosting UC Irvine in its third game of the 2025–26 season. Tipoff is set for 7:00 p.m. MT with live coverage on ESPN+ and radio broadcast on KISU 91.1 FM and KISU.org with Mark Liptak on the call.
HOW TO FOLLOW
Tipoff: 7:00 p.m. MT
Location: Reed Gym – Pocatello, Idaho
Watch: ESPN+
Listen: KISU.org (KISU 91.1FM) – Play-by-play with Mark Liptak
Live Stats: StatBroadcast
Idaho State Notes
TIPPING OFF
Idaho State returns to Pocatello looking to extend its perfect start after back-to-back wins over Westminster and Grand Canyon to open the 2025–26 campaign. The Bengals earned a 67–55 road victory at Grand Canyon on Saturday, closing the game with a decisive third-quarter surge.
Tasia Jordan led all scorers with 20 points and nine rebounds, while Piper Carlson added 16 points on 7-of-9 shooting. Kacey Spink filled the box score with 13 points, five assists, four steals, and four rebounds. The Bengals shot 41 percent from the floor and 83 percent from the line while forcing 24 turnovers and outrebounding GCU 35–28.
Through two games, Idaho State leads the Big Sky in scoring (83.0 ppg), assists (20.5 apg), field-goal percentage (.500), and steals (15.0 spg). The Bengals have also limited opponents to 33.7 percent shooting and just 51.0 points per game, a nine-point improvement from last season.
Wednesday's matchup marks the first home meeting between Idaho State and UC Irvine since 2016. The Bengals lead the all-time series 6–1 and have won six straight overall.
SCOUTING THE ANTEATERS
UC Irvine continues a successful stretch under 10th-year head coach Tamara Inoue (N-O-way), entering off four straight 20-win seasons and a 90–38 record since 2021–22. The Anteaters were picked second in the Big West preseason poll behind Hawai'i after a 21–10 finish last year.
UCI opened the season with a 72–54 win over San Diego before falling 75–61 at Arizona on Sunday. Senior guard Hunter Hernandez, a Preseason All-Big West selection, led the Anteaters with 23 points and eight rebounds, while senior Jada Wynn added 12 points and nine boards.
Only one starter returns from last year's lineup, and the 2025–26 roster features just five upperclassmen. Probable starters include #9 Daniela Hernandez, #10 Madsen, #12 Nahum, #20 Hunter Hernandez, and #23 Wynn. Five international players represent Australia, Israel, Spain, France, and Greece, while JUCO All-American #24 Zonzon adds scoring depth off the bench.
Coach Inoue's teams are known for man-to-man defensive pressure, rebounding focus, and an up-tempo transition attack. The best outside shooters are Madsen and Wynn, while Hunter Hernandez anchors the offense as the team's leading scorer. UCI will be without #14 Hanson, a former Sacramento State standout who averaged 11.3 points and 10.3 rebounds in three career games against Idaho State, and #8 Wormly, who remains sidelined in a boot.
A familiar connection between programs is former Bengal guard Diaba Konate, who transferred to UC Irvine after leading Idaho State to back-to-back Big Sky titles. She later helped UCI to another championship and now resides in France with her family.
BY THE NUMBERS
|
Category
|
Idaho State
|
UC Irvine
|
|
Points Per Game
|
83.0
|
66.5
|
|
Field Goal Percentage
|
50.0%
|
39.4%
|
|
Three-Point Percentage
|
44.1%
|
32.5%
|
|
Free Throw Percentage
|
69.0%
|
75.4%
|
|
Rebounds Per Game
|
35.0
|
36.0
|
|
Assists Per Game
|
20.5
|
11.5
|
|
Blocks Per Game
|
2.5
|
2.5
|
|
Steals Per Game
|
15.0
|
6.5
|
|
Scoring Defense (PPG)
|
51.0
|
64.5
|
|
FG % Defense
|
33.7%
|
35.8%
|
|
3FG % Defense
|
22.6%
|
27.1%
|
|
Rebound Margin
|
+7.0
|
+0.5
|
|
Assist-to-Turnover Ratio
|
1.9
|
0.7
|
RECORD WATCH – KACEY SPINK
Senior guard Kacey Spink continues to climb Idaho State's all-time steals leaderboard. With 200 career steals, she is now three away from second place and within 27 of breaking the program record held by Greta Garver (227). A two-time Big Sky All-Defensive Team selection, Spink is averaging 4.5 steals per game this season and has been a catalyst on both ends for the Bengals' 2–0 start.
IDAHO STATE CAREER STEALS LEADERS
1. Greta Garver – 227 (1987–91)
2. Angela Munger – 203 (1996–00)
3. Kacey Spink – 200 (2022–Present)
4. Theresa Mallak – 170 (1995–98)
5. Shelley Hand – 165 (1981–85)
6. Nancy Imhoff – 164 (1985–89)
7. Callie Bourne – 158 (2018–23)
8. Dora Goles – 157 (2017–22)
9. Estefie Ors – 156 (2016–22)
10. Chelsea Pickering – 153 (2007–12)
UPCOMING CAREER MILESTONES
#1 Kacey Spink – 45 points to reach 700; continues pursuit of ISU all-time steals record.
#2 Aspen Caldwell – 5 points shy of 100 career points.
#3 Cam Collman – 5 rebounds from 50; 29 points from 200 career points.
#4 Alyse Aby – 4 games from 50 played; 6 points from 200 career points.
#5 Tasia Jordan – 2 games from 50 played; 23 made field goals from 250; 51 points from 600 career points.
#12 Mackenzie Marenchin – 31 points from 50 career points.
#14 Piper Carlson – 3 made field goals from 200; 31 rebounds from 350; 35 points from 500 career points.
#18 Maeva Gauffrenet – 31 points from 50 career points.
#22 Sophia Covello – 7 games from 100 played; 8 made field goals from 200; 2 three-pointers from 100; 18 points from 600 career points.
WHAT'S NEXT
Idaho State continues its two-game homestand on Sunday, Nov. 16, hosting South Dakota at 2:00 p.m. MT inside Reed Gym. The game will air live on ESPN+ with radio coverage on KISU 91.1 FM and KISU.org.
