POCATELLO, Idaho - Idaho State women's basketball closes in on the final stretch of the 2025-26 regular season with two critical Big Sky Conference road games this week. The Bengals will face Montana in Missoula before traveling to Bozeman to take on Montana State. These contests mark the first two of the final four regular season games for Idaho State.
The Bengals enter the week at 17-8 overall and 10-4 in conference play. Idaho State is 8-3 in true road games this season and has won five of its last seven contests away from Reed Gym. Both matchups present different challenges, with Montana relying heavily on the three-point shot and Montana State ranking among the league's top overall teams.
Storylines
Idaho State continues to be one of the most balanced teams in the Big Sky. The Bengals are averaging 66.1 points per game while allowing 59.9, a +6.2 scoring margin. They are shooting 40.8 percent from the field and hold opponents to 37.0 percent.
Rebounding and defensive activity remain cornerstones of Idaho State's success. The Bengals average 38.2 rebounds per game compared to 32.0 for opponents, a +6.2 margin. ISU also forces 19.2 turnovers per game while committing 15.9, creating a +3.3 turnover margin.
Individually, Tasia Jordan leads the team in scoring at 15.8 points per game, while Piper Carlson averages 10.6 points and a team-best 8.0 rebounds per contest. Kacey Spink contributes 9.1 points, 6.9 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game and leads the team with 85 steals.
Scouting the Opponents
Montana
Montana is 7-17 overall and 4-9 in Big Sky play. The Grizzlies are 3-7 at home, 3-9 on the road and 2-0 in overtime games.
In the first meeting on January 24 in Pocatello, Montana defeated Idaho State 70-67 in overtime, connecting on 15 three-point field goals. The Grizzlies outscored ISU 45-15 from beyond the arc in that contest.
Montana attempts 30 three-pointers per game and averages 9.5 made threes, ranking among the top 10 nationally in both categories. The Grizzlies have scored 678 points from three-point range this season, accounting for 45 percent of their total scoring. They are also shooting 76 percent from the free throw line, but struggle on the glass, being out-rebounded by 9.8 boards per game.
Montana State
Montana State enters the week at 18-6 overall and 11-2 in conference play. The Bobcats are 10-0 at home and 7-5 on the road.
In the first meeting on January 22 in Pocatello, Idaho State earned a 79-60 victory, shooting 58 percent from the field, 54 percent from three and 80 percent from the free throw line. The Bengals also out-rebounded MSU 40-23 and forced 21 turnovers.
Montana State averages 76 points per game and shoots 42 percent from the floor. The Bobcats shoot 29 percent from three and 66 percent from the free throw line. Taylee Chirrick leads the team at 18 points per game and is the reigning Big Sky Defensive Player of the Year.
Statistical Trends
Idaho State has held opponents under 60 points per game this season at 59.9. The Bengals are averaging 10.8 steals per game and have recorded 271 steals through 25 games.
ISU is shooting 73.0 percent from the free throw line overall, while Montana is shooting 76 percent from the line and Montana State is at 66 percent.
The Bengals average 4.6 made three-pointers per game, compared to Montana's 9.5 per game and Montana State's 29 percent team percentage from beyond the arc.
Key Players to Watch
Idaho State
Tasia Jordan, 15.8 points per game
Piper Carlson, 10.6 points and 8.0 rebounds per game
Kacey Spink, 9.1 points, 6.9 rebounds, 4.0 assists per game
Montana
Mack Konig, preseason All-Big Sky selection
Avery Waddington, averaging 11.5 points per game and shooting 42 percent from the field, 37 percent from three and 80 percent from the line
Jocelyn Lind, 12.8 points per game and 113 three-point attempts
Montana State
Taylee Chirrick, 18 points per game, 2026 Mid-Major player of the year semifinalist
Addison Harris, one of the team's top scorers
Historical Series Context
Montana leads the all-time series 77-20. Montana State leads its all-time series with Idaho State 55-41.
Bengal Bites
• Idaho State is 17-8 overall and 10-4 in Big Sky play
• ISU averages 66.1 points per game and allows 59.9
• The Bengals hold a +6.2 rebounding margin
• Kacey Spink ranks sixth all-time at Idaho State with 776 career rebounds
• Spink owns 277 career steals and is the program's all-time leader
• Head coach Seton Sobolewski has 303 career wins, all at Idaho State
• ISU recorded its 700th program victory on January 17 with a 66-57 win over Eastern Washington
With four regular season games remaining, Idaho State will look to build momentum and strengthen its conference positioning heading into the Big Sky Tournament.
