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EASTERN WASHINGTON (0-1)
The Eagles got off to an 0-1 start last week, falling to Fresno State 56-81. In the loss, veteran forward Delaney Hodgins poured in 28 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and recorded 7 steals to get the campaign started with a Double-Double. Hodgins is now in fourth place on Eastern Washington’s all-time career scoring list with 1,456 points. Eastern Washington will travel to Air Force and host BYU this week.
Eagle Personnel Picture
Starters Returning/Lost: 2/3
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 9/4
Incoming Freshmen/Transfers: 4/0
IDAHO (1-0)
Idaho scored an impressive road victory over the Colorado State Rams to begin the 2017-18 campaign. The Vandals put up 83 points to Colorado State’s 69 with the majority of Idaho’s points coming from guards Taylor Pierce and Makayla Ferenz. Pierce and Ferenz combined for 46 points and 11 3-point field goals made. The Vandals would go on to make a total of 18 3-point field goals in the contest, which ties the school record for 3-pointers made in a game. Furthermore, the Vandals shot fifty percent from deep as a team. Idaho will see if that shooting rhythm continues as they play on the road against Ohio State, who is ranked No. 9 in the nation in the AP poll. The Vandals will also travel to Abilene Christian this week.
Vandal Personnel Picture
Starters Returning/Lost: 3/2
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 6/8
Incoming Freshmen/Transfers: 4/1
IDAHO STATE (2-0)
The Bengals began the season with a 74-69 win over Seattle and then a 79-59 victory over No. 25 Washington. After missing last season due to injury, senior guard Brooke Blair shot the lights out in her return to the court, shooting 64.2 percent from beyond the arc in week one. Blair had 30 points alone in the Bengals upset of Washington. In fact, Idaho State’s victory over the Huskies marks the programs first-ever win against a nationally-ranked opponent. As a whole, Idaho State has a very balanced attack with five players averaging 10 points or more a game after two contests played. Idaho State will catch a quick home game against The College of Idaho, then travel to UC Irvine this week.
Bengal Personnel Picture
Starters Returning/Lost: 2/3
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 5/5
Incoming Freshmen/Transfers: 5/3
MONTANA (0-1)
Montana kicked off the season with a 67-62 loss at Wyoming. Sierra Anderson and Madi Schoening both recorded 14 points in the loss to lead the Lady Griz in scoring. Jace Henderson led the team in rebounding with eight boards, while several freshmen gained some valuable experience in a tight game. Montana is back at it on Thursday against Kentucky, followed by Gonzaga on Saturday.
Lady Griz Personnel Picture
Starters Returning/Lost: 5/0
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 9/1
Incoming Freshmen/Transfers: 2/1
MONTANA STATE (1-1)
Montana State had trouble scoring in its first game as they lost on the road to USC 98-47. The defending Big Sky champions rebounded will in the second game of the season in a 62-51 victory over Long Beach State. In that win, Caudill powered the offense, shooting 60 percent from three-point range and sinking six-of-six free throws to total 24 points in that game. The Bobcats will play Providence (Mont.) and Omaha this week.
Bobcats Personnel Picture
Starters Returning/Lost: 3/2
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 7/4
Incoming Freshmen/Transfers: 5/2
NORTH DAKOTA (0-1)
North Dakota lost a hard-fought battle against No. 17 Oregon State in its first game of the 2017-18 season. in the 55-65 defeat, newcomer Melissa Dailey led the Fighting Hawks in scoring with 15 points. As a team, North Dakota outrebounded the Beavers 42-39. North Dakota will travel to South Dakota and then return home to face Masachussetts this week.
Fighting Hawk Personnel Picture
Starters Returning/Lost: 4/1
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 7/4
Incoming Freshmen/Transfers: 4/3
NORTHERN ARIZONA (1-1)
The Lumberjacks lost a pair of games at home this week to UC Santa Barbara and Rice. Both games saw both sides reach 80 or more points. NAU’s Kenna McDavis averaged 24.0 points per game and 10.5 rebounds per game. The forward was on fire, shooting 48.7 percent from the field and 50 percent from the three-point line. Senior guard Olivia Lucero is currently dishing out 7.5 assists per game and is second on the team in scoring with 39 total points in two contests. NAU will play both Boise State and Hawai’i this week.
Lumberjack Personnel Picture
Starters Returning/Lost: 2/3
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 3/6
Incoming Freshmen/Transfers: 5/4
NORTHERN COLORADO (2-0)
The Preseason favorite to win the Big Sky Championship did not disappoint in its first two games. The Bears upset No. 20 DePaul on the road in a 94-88 shootout. Northern Colorado’s guard Savannah Scott dropped 35 points on the Blue Demons, shooting 4-of-6 from three. Scott also went 13-of-13 from the charity stripe. Northern Colorado also outlasted Denver 71-63 last week to go 2-0 on the young season. The Bears have three players averaging over 13 points or more per game. Northern Colorado will host both LSU and San Francisco this week.
Bears Personnel Picture
Starters Returning/Lost: 5/0
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 9/2
Incoming Freshmen/Transfers: 2/0
PORTLAND STATE (0-2)
The Vikings lost a pair of games last week to UNLV and Nevada. Sydney Reilly led the Viks in scoring in both games, recording 19 points against UNLV and 20 against Nevada. Reilly has now scored 20 points or more in a game for the 12th time in her career. Freshman guard Kylie Jimenez definitely seems to fit right in as the underclassmen scored a total of 32 points last weekend and went 6-of-12 from beyond the arc. Portland State will play UC Davis and San Jose State this week.
Vikings Personnel Picture
Starters Returning/Lost: 4/1
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 8/7
Incoming Freshmen/Transfers: 4/1
SACRAMENTO STATE 0-2
The Hornets suffered losses to both Kentucky and Morehead State last week. Hannah Friend led Sacramento State in scoring against Kentucky with 19 points. A trio of Hornets, including Friend, Johnson and Degraffenreid had 13 points to lead the scoring against Morehead State. Sacramento State will take the court against West Virginia, who is No. 12 in the national AP poll, and Arizona State.
Hornet Personnel Picture
Starters Returning/Lost: 2/4
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 4/4
Incoming Freshmen/Transfers: 4/1
SOUTHERN UTAH (0-1)
The Thunderbirds nearly pulled out a win over BYU, but fell in overtime 75-67. SUU was very balanced on offense as five players had nine or more points. Center Whitney Johnson was the leader with 12 points, while sophomore guard Rebecca Cardenas got it done on both ends with 6 assists and four steals. Southern Utah will play San Diego and Binghamton this week.
Thunderbird Personnel Picture
Starters Returning/Lost: 3/2
Letterwinners Returning: 5
Incoming Freshman/Transfers: 4/3
WEBER STATE (1-0)
Weber State took care of business at home, topping in-state rival Utah Valley 75-57. Kailie Quinn had 20 points, draining six three-pointers on the Wolverines. Quinn also had four steals and three rebounds to further stuff the stat sheet. Forward Briana Gray was also a solid option for the Wildcats, recording 16 points and 10 rebounds to complete the Double-Double. Weber State will take on Utah and Antelope Valley this week.
Wildcat Personnel Picture
Starters Returning/Lost: 3/2
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 8/2
Incoming Freshmen/Transfers: 3/2