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OGDEN, Utah (January 23, 2017) – This week’s upcoming Big Sky Conference men’s basketball schedule might be a little strange for fans of the conference. Weber State and Idaho State will resume a previously suspended game on Wednesday before playing their regularly-scheduled game in Ogden, Utah on Friday.
A big matchup is coming to Missoula, Mont., on Thursday as Eastern Washington travels to take on Montana. North Dakota and Northern Colorado make the road swing to Southern Utah and Northern Arizona while Sacramento State hosts rival, Portland State on Saturday.
Last Week’s Top Performers
Victor Sanders (UI) - Sanders was stellar over the weekend as Idaho righted the ship and got over .500 for the first time this season. The junior from Portland averaged 20 points, four rebounds and two assists per game as Idaho swept Southern Utah and Northern Arizona.
Sanders opened the weekend by tying his career-high with 33 points, against Southern Utah. He saved his best work for late, out-dueling SUU’s Randy Onwuasor and scoring 23 points in the second half on 7-of-12 shooting. On the night, Sanders made 4-of-9 attempts from deep and hit 11-of-12 free throws.
He followed that performance up with 17 points on 7-of-14 shooting against NAU. Sanders wasn’t needed as much on Saturday night, allowing fellow junior Brayon Blake to take on some of the scoring load, but he was instrumental to Idaho’s 13-0 run midway through the second half that helped put things away.
Sanders shot 16-of-33 (48.5%) from the floor and 7-of-14 (50%) from beyond the arc.
Tyler Hall (MSU) - Tyler Hall logged his second double-double of the season against Portland State, helping Montana State clinch a weekend sweep with a a 71-65 win in the Stott Center. Hall’s 22 points on Saturday led the team, and he also scored 17 points in MSU’s 74-65 win at Sacramento State on Thursday. MSU’s weekend wins snapped an 11-game losing streak away from Worthington Arena.
Quinton Hooker (UND) - Hooker averaged 19.0 ppg, 4.5 rpg and 4.0 apg in helping UND pick up a home sweep in Big Sky play with victories over Weber State and Idaho State this week. The Big Sky Preseason MVP scored 22 points and pulled down six rebounds in helping the Fighting Hawks hand the Wildcats their first league loss of the season. He went 8-for-14 from the floor and 4-for-4 from the foul line in the victory.
In Saturday’s 25-point win over Idaho State, Hooker finished with 16 points, six assists and three rebounds, while once again shooting 50 percent or better from the field. He went 5-for-10 on field goals and knocked down 4-of-6 from beyond the arc. For the week, he shot 54.1 percent from the field and 54.5 percent from 3-point range, while making all six of his free throws.