Pocatello, Idaho - Idaho State returns home this week for two Big Sky matchups, beginning Thursday night with the annual Pink Game against Eastern Washington at 7:00 p.m. inside Reed Gym. The Bengals then continue the King Spud Rivalry series Saturday at 2:00 p.m. against Idaho. Idaho State enters the week at 16-7 overall and 9-3 in conference play.
This week marks the second meeting this season between the teams. In Idaho State vs EWU round 1 The Bengals earned a 66-57 win in Cheney on January 17, using a 20-11 second quarter and forcing 19 turnovers that led to 20 points. Piper Carlson scored 15 points and Hallie Wright added nine points and eight rebounds in the victory.
In the first matchup with with the Vandals, the game went Idaho's way as they took down the Bengals 81-68 in Moscow. Tasia Jordan and Alyse Aby led the way with 23 points and 15 points respectively. One of the keys in Idaho's win came from the Bench as they outscored the Bengal Bench by near double 30-17.
What to Watch
Idaho State has won four straight games and six of its last seven. The Bengals are averaging 66.3 points per game while holding opponents to 59.4, and they own a plus-7.7 rebounding margin, 39.0 to 31.4.
Tasia Jordan leads Idaho State at 15.6 points per game. Piper Carlson averages 10.5 points and a team-best 7.9 rebounds, while Kacey Spink contributes 9.2 points, 7.1 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game and leads the team with 72 steals. In conference play, Spink is averaging 11.3 points and shooting 46.9 percent from the field.
Scouting the Eagles
Eastern Washington enters Thursday at 12-12 overall and 5-6 in Big Sky play. The Eagles are averaging 70 points per game and allowing 68. They have four players scoring in double figures and have started the same five players in all 24 games.
Kourtney Grossman averages 13 points and 13 rebounds per game, while Jaycee Eggers adds 12 points and 7.5 rebounds. Guards Elyn Bowers and Ella Gallatin combine to average 29 points per game. Eastern attempts 22 three-pointers per game and is shooting 29 percent from beyond the arc and 67 percent from the free throw line.
Idaho presents one of the most balanced teams in the league. The Vandals are averaging 79.8 points per game and allowing 67.7 while shooting 43.3 percent from the field. Idaho averages 47.2 rebounds per game compared to 35.7 for its opponents.
Kyra Gardner and Hope Hassmann each average 13.7 points per game. Debora Dos Santos averages 11.1 points and 7.7 rebounds, and Ana Pinheiro adds 10.5 points per game. Hassmann leads the team with 104 assists.
Scouting the Vandals
Idaho enters Saturday's King Spud Rivalry matchup at 19-5 overall and 10-1 in Big Sky play. The Vandals are 10-1 at home, 7-4 on the road and 2-0 at neutral sites. They are averaging 79.8 points per game while allowing 67.7, and own a plus-11.5 scoring margin.
Offensively, Idaho shoots 43.3 percent from the field and 31.4 percent from three, averaging 14.7 assists per game. The Vandals have been particularly strong on the glass, averaging 47.2 rebounds per contest compared to 35.7 for their opponents. Idaho has scored 505 points in the first quarter and 514 in the third quarter this season, showing its ability to create separation early and out of halftime.
Kyra Gardner and Hope Hassmann lead a balanced scoring attack at 13.7 points per game each. Gardner also averages 6.9 rebounds and 2.5 steals per game, while Hassmann leads the team with 104 assists. Debora Dos Santos provides interior presence at 11.1 points and 7.7 rebounds per game, and Ana Pinheiro adds 10.5 points and 5.6 rebounds. Idaho has five players averaging at least 8.5 points per game and multiple options capable of scoring at all three levels.
The Vandals combine perimeter shooting, rebounding strength and depth across their starting five, making them one of the most efficient offensive teams in the conference entering the weekend.
Statistical Trends
Idaho State is shooting 41.0 percent from the field and 30.9 percent from three while holding opponents to 37.1 percent overall and 29.6 percent from three. The Bengals force 18.7 turnovers per game and average 10.5 steals.
Idaho is shooting 43.3 percent from the field and 31.4 percent from three and averages 14.7 assists per game. The Vandals have scored 505 points in the first quarter and 514 in the third quarter this season.
Key Players to Watch
Idaho State
Tasia Jordan, 15.6 points per game
Piper Carlson, 10.5 points and 7.9 rebounds per game
Kacey Spink, 9.2 points, 7.1 rebounds, 4.1 assists
Eastern Washington
Kourtney Grossman, 13 points and 13 rebounds per game
Jaycee Eggers, 12 points and 7.5 rebounds per game
Elyn Bowers, nearly 15 points per game
Idaho
Kyra Gardner, 13.7 points and 6.9 rebounds per game
Hope Hassmann, 13.7 points and 4.3 assists per game
Debora Dos Santos, 11.1 points and 7.7 rebounds per game
Bengal Notes
• Idaho State is 16-7 overall and 9-3 in Big Sky play
• The Bengals are on a four-game winning streak
• ISU owns a plus-7.7 rebounding margin
• Kacey Spink ranks sixth all-time in program history with 766 career rebounds and is the school's all-time steals leader with 264 career steals
• Head coach Seton Sobolewski has 302 career wins at Idaho State
