#BigSkyWBB Weekly Notebook - Jan. 23
WEEKLY NOTTEBOOK (PDF)
OGDEN, Utah (January 23, 2019) -- No team is safe as was evident this past week as the conference schedule starts to heat up and teams are fighting for the top spot in the league standings.
- Weber State and Sacramento State picked up their first wins in conference play this week. Weber State knocked off Northern Colorado on a last second free throw to seal their first conference win 55-54. Sacramento State won both games this week against Northern Arizona and Southern Utah.
- Kennedy Nicholas had a 22-point and 20 rebound performance for the Hornets and was this weeks Big Sky Player of the Week. Nicholas averaged a double double this week with an average of 18 points and 15 rebounds.
- Portland State debuted in the CollegeInsider.com Mid-Major Top 25 this week. The Vikings are ranked 22nd in that poll.
- Eastern Washington’s Violet Kapri Morrow had the second highest single game scoring performance this season with 37 points against Montana State this past Saturday.
- Every team will compete twice this week as a full sate of games are on the schedule for conference play.
EASTERN WASHINGTON
- The Eagles picked up a victory on the road this week at Montana State, 89-87. It took overtime for the Eagles to come out victorious.
- Violet Kapri Morrow led the team in their victory with 37 points in the game. That mark is the second highest scoring total by a player this season among conference schools.
- Morrow currently ranks third in the conference in points per game this season with 19.0 points per game this season. That total also ranks her 40th nationally.
IDAHO
- The Vandals re one of three teams with two losses in conference play. This past week Idaho dropped their only game in a 82-79 decision against Montana.
- Taylor Pierce ranks first nationally in three-point field goals per game with an average of 4.13 per game this season.
- The Vandals will face top seeded Portland State in their final game of the week for a chance to move closer to the top spot.
IDAHO STATE
- The Bengals were defeated in their only game of the week, 60-56, when they faced Northern Colorado.
- ISU is currently in third place in the standings after this week with a 5-2 record.
- The Bengals had the second best scoring defense in the conference and are holding opponents to 62.3 points per game.
MONTANA
- Montana came away with a big win in their only game this week with an 82-79 decision against Idaho.
- Jace Henderson is the third best rebounder in the conference this season and is averaging 8.4 rebounds per game.
- The Lady Grizz face Idaho State this week on Thursday with a chance to move up in the standings with a victory.
MONTANA STATE
- The Bobcats suffered a loss in their only game of the week when the lost in overtime 89-87 to Eastern Washington.
- Clair Lundberg leads the team in scoring this season and has the second highest point total in the conference with 303 points.
- The Bobcats are taking advantage of their opportunities at the line this season and are one of the best teams, making 206 free throws while shooting 73 percent.
NORTHERN ARIZONA
- The Lumberjacks played in two games this week and went 0-2 against Sacramento State and Portland State.
- Kaleigh Paplow is the eighth best scorer this season and is averaging 14.9 points per game for Northern Arizona.
NORTHERN COLORADO
- The Bears went 1-1 this week in conference play after losing on a last second free throw to Weber State and then bouncing back to pick up a 60-56 victory over Idaho State.
- Ali Meyer leads the conference in defensive rebounds per game with an average of 8 rebounds on the defensive glass. Meyer is also the second leading rebounder in the conference this season with a total of 11.2 rebounds per game.
- Savannah Smith continues to lead the Bears on the offensive end and is averaging 18.9 points per game this season.
PORTLAND STATE
- The Vikings moved into the top spot in the standings after going 2-0 after defeating Southern Utah and Northern Arizona. After losing their opening game of conference play, the Vikings are on a 6 game winning streak.
- Portland State boasts the best scoring defense this season in the conference and is allowing just 57.7 points per game to opponents this season.
- Courtney West continues to dominate in the paint and is ranked first in the conference and third nationally in blocked shots per game this season. West is averaging 3.38 blocks per game this year.
SACRAMENTO STATE
- The Hornets picked up their first conference wins of the season and went 2-0 against Southern Utah and Northern Arizona.
- Kennedy Nicholas went off for a 22-point and 20 rebound performance in the Hornet’s game against Southern Utah and earned Big Sky Player of the Week honors.
- Nicholas currently leads the conference in rebounds per game with an average of 11.7.
SOUTHERN UTAH
- The Thunderbirds dropped a pair of games this week to Portland State and Sacramento State to sit at 2-5 in conference play.
- Harley Hansen and Rebecca Cardenas are both ranked in the top 5 in the conference in steals per game. Hansen is averaging 2.63 steals and Cardenas has a 2.23 steal average this season.
WEBER STATE
- The Wildcats picked up their first conference win of the season against Northern Colorado. Weber State hit a last second free throw to secure the victory.
- Jaiamoni Welch-Coleman leads the team in assists per game and with 5.1 assists.
- Dominique Williams and Kayla Watkins rank in the top-10 rebounders in the conference. Williams is averaging 8.2 boards per game, while Watkins is grabbing 7.3 rebounds per game.