POCATELLO, Idaho – Idaho State women's basketball (9-4, 2-0 BSC) returns to Reed Gym this week for Week 2 of Big Sky Conference play, hosting Northern Colorado on Thursday, Jan. 8 at 7:00 p.m., followed by a Saturday afternoon matchup against Northern Arizona on Jan. 10 at 2:00 p.m. Both games will be streamed on ESPN+, with radio coverage available on KISU 91.1 FM and play-by-play from Mark Liptak.
The Bengals open the conference home slate after six consecutive road games and look to continue building momentum as league play continues.
Storylines
• Idaho State enters Thursday's home matchup against Northern Colorado with a 69.2 winning percentage, ranking second in the Big Sky Conference, and renews a series that spans 42 all-time meetings, with the Bengals holding a 27–15 advantage.
• The Bengals return to Reed Gym for the first time since Dec. 3 vs Omaha, a span of 36 days on the road.
• Idaho State has established itself as one of the top defensive teams in the Big Sky, ranking first in the conference and 40th nationally in scoring defense, allowing 56.6 points per game.
• Opponents are shooting 36.1 percent from the field against the Bengals, which ranks first in the Big Sky and 35th nationally in field-goal percentage defense.
• Idaho State controls the glass, ranking third in the Big Sky and 86th nationally in rebounds per game at 40.0, while posting a +9.4 rebounding margin that ranks second in the conference and 28th nationally.
• The Bengals average 9.8 steals per game, ranking fourth in the Big Sky and 97th nationally, while forcing 18.46 opponent turnovers per contest.
• Idaho State is averaging 65.0 points per game and owns a +8.4 scoring margin, ranking fourth in the Big Sky Conference.
• Tasia Jordan leads Idaho State in scoring at 16.1 points per game, ranking fifth in the Big Sky and 115th nationally in scoring average.
• Piper Carlson leads the Bengals on the glass at 8.4 rebounds per game, ranking third in the Big Sky, and ranks fourth in the conference with 109 total rebounds.
• Kacey Spink contributes across the stat sheet, averaging 7.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game, and ranks fourth in the Big Sky and 51st nationally in steals per game at 2.62.
Scouting the Bears
Northern Colorado enters Thursday's contest with a 10–5 overall record and a 1–1 mark in Big Sky Conference play. The Bears are riding a one-game winning streak and are 6–2 at home, 3–3 on the road, and 1–0 at neutral sites this season.
Through 15 games, Northern Colorado has relied on its defensive identity and rebounding to control tempo. The Bears are allowing 59.0 points per game as of this writing and regularly apply pressure defense, extending full court before dropping into 1-3-1 and 1-2-2 zone looks in the half court.
Northern Colorado uses its size to its advantage, averaging 5.7 more rebounds per game than its opponents. The Bears have four players listed at 6-2 or taller and emphasize unselfish play offensively, looking to create transition opportunities while moving the ball effectively in the half court.
The Bears have already been tested in close games this season, posting a 2–0 record in overtime games and a 2–1 mark in games decided by four points or fewer. Northern Colorado is shooting75 percent at the free-throw line as of this writing, while three-point shooting has been more situational at 26 percent.
Last 10 vs Northern Colorado Bears
02/03/25 – at Northern Colorado – L, 59–50
01/04/25 – vs Northern Colorado – W, 58–50
03/02/24 – at Northern Colorado – L, 61–53
02/02/24 – vs Northern Colorado – W, 76–56
02/27/23 – vs Northern Colorado – L, 53–46
12/31/22 – at Northern Colorado – W, 63–42
02/17/22 – at Northern Colorado – L, 53–52
01/29/22 – vs Northern Colorado – W, 68–56
03/10/21 – vs Northern Colorado (Big Sky Semifinals) – W, 65–55
12/16/20 – at Northern Colorado – W, 63–50
Record over last 10 meetings: 6–4
Average margin over last 10 meetings: +5.9 points per game
(Idaho State outscored Northern Colorado by a combined 59 points across the 10-game span)
Scouting the Lumberjacks
Northern Arizona enters Saturday's contest with a 5–9 overall record in its first season under head coach Laura Dinkins. The Lumberjacks are 3–2 at home, 2–5 on the road, 0–0 in overtime games, and 0–2 at neutral sites this season.
NAU is in a rebuilding year after coming off three of the best seasons in program history, a combined 73–32 record over the previous three years. The Lumberjacks lost their entire core from last season, including head coach Loree Payne and multiple double-figure scorers, and now feature a roster heavy on transfers and new contributors.
Offensively, Northern Arizona plays at an up-tempo pace and is averaging 74 points per game, among the top marks in the Big Sky Conference. That pace has come with tradeoffs, as the Lumberjacks are also allowing 74 points per game. NAU has been effective from the perimeter, shooting 35 percent from three-point range as of this writing.
The Lumberjacks' offense is driven by Naomi White, who is averaging 23 points per game and has emerged as one of the top scorers in the league. White is shooting 42 percent from the field, 41 percent from three-point range, and 73 percent at the free-throw line, while taking more than twice as many shots as any other NAU player. Northern Arizona also features multiple transfers and veteran guards capable of pushing tempo and generating transition offense.
Northern Arizona has won five straight meetings against Idaho State and six of the last 10 overall, despite the Bengals holding a long-term edge in the series. The Lumberjacks' ability to stretch the floor with high-volume three-point shooting has been a deciding factor in recent matchups.
Last 10 vs Northern Arizona Lumberjacks
03/03/25 – at Northern Arizona – L, 83–71
01/02/25 – vs Northern Arizona – L, 79–71
02/29/24 – at Northern Arizona – L, 89–74
02/03/24 – vs Northern Arizona – L, 73–59
02/06/23 – vs Northern Arizona – L, 64–54
12/29/22 – at Northern Arizona – W, 69–64
02/24/22 – vs Northern Arizona – W, 76–66
12/04/21 – at Northern Arizona – L, 81–74 (OT)
01/09/21 – vs Northern Arizona – W, 78–65
01/07/21 – vs Northern Arizona – W, 70–66
Record over last 10 meetings: 4–6
Series note: Northern Arizona has won five straight meetings and six of the last 10
