#BigSkyWBB Weekly Notebook - Jan 30

#BigSkyWBB Weekly Notebook - Jan 30

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WEEKLY NOTEBOOK (PDF)

OGDEN, Utah (January 30, 2019) -- The top of the standings remain unclear as we head deeper into the conference schedule.  With a couple key matchups this weekend the race for the top will become a lot clearer.
  • There continues to be a four way fight for the top of the standings with four teams with two losses this season.  Northern Colorado currently holds down the top spot on the table with an 8-2 record.
  • Idaho State had a great defensive performance this week in their game’s against Montana and Montana State.  The Bengals held Montana to a season low 34 points in their victory.
  • Northern Colorado’s Savannah Smith was named the Big Sky player of the week for the second time this season.  Smith had an outstanding performance in two games including scoring 22 points in one quarter against Northern Arizona.
  • Montana and Montana State still remain in the hunt for the regular season crown with only four losses each on the season.  Both teams sit tied in the standings with a 5-4 record in conference play.
  • Sacramento State’s Kennedy Nicholas had another great week with an impressive 18 point and 19 rebound performance against Idaho.
Eastern Washington
  • The Eagles dropped a pair of games this week to Portland State and Sacramento State
  • Violet Kapri Morrow continues to put up offensive numbers and is in the top three in scoring among conference teams.  Morrow is averaging 19 points per game this season.
  • Eastern Washington is third in the conference in three-point shooting percentage with a 33.3 percent on the season.

Idaho
  • Idaho picked up a crucial win over Portland State last week to stay in the hunt for the top spot in the standings.  It took all 40 minutes for there to be a winner decided and it came down to a pair of late game free throws that became the difference maker.
  • The Vandals continue to have the best scoring offense in the conference with an average of 76.7 points per game.  That average is the 31st best average in the NCAA.
  • Taylor Pierce and Mikayla Ferenz lead the charge for the Vandals and are leading the conference in three point field goals per game.  Pierce is also leading all other players in the country and is averaging 4.18 per game.

Idaho State  
  • The Bengals had a great showing this week and went 2-0 in their games against Montana and Montana State.  Idaho State’s defense held Montana to 34 points and then followed up that defensive performance against Montana State when they held the Bobcats to 43 points.
  • Idaho State is currently second in the standings and has emerged as a strong contender for the regular season crown.
  • Idaho has a crucial match up this week against Portland State.  Saturday’s match up has the potential to vault the winner to the top spot in the league standings.

Montana
  • Montana struggled this week and went 1-1 in their two conference games.  After a poor offensive showing against Idaho State the Lady Grizz bounced back with a victory against Weber State.
  • The Lady Grizzlies total of 34 points against Idaho State was the lowest total of points scored in a game this season.
  • Montana will play in just one game this week when they travel to Montana State on Saturday, February 2.

Montana State
  • The Bobcats went 1-1 in their two games this week after picking up a 66-59 win over Weber State.  
  • Claire Lundberg continues to be the Bobcats leading scorer and is sixth in the conference in total offense with 17.6 points per game.  
  • Montana State will host two games this weekend with Montana and Northern Colorado coming to town.  The Bobcats previously beat Northern Colorado earlier this season.

Northern Arizona
  • The Lumberjacks defeated Southern Utah on Monday night to go 1-1 this past week after dropping their first game on the road to Northern Colorado.
  • Kaleigh Paplow is currently in the top 10 in points and rebounds per game in the conference this season.  She is averaging 14.6 points per game and 7.7 rebounds per game.
  • Northern Arizona hosts Idaho and Eastern Washington this weekend in a pair of big match ups with Idaho coming to town on Thursday night.

Northern Colorado
  • The Bears returned to the top of the table with an 8-2 record in conference play.  
  • Savannah Smith continues to lead the way for the Bears and she picked up player of the week honors from the Big Sky Conference office for the second time this season.  Smith had an impressive performance against Northern Arizona and Southern Utah this past week.
  • The double threat of Smith and Ali Meyer make Northern Colorado a difficult opponent.  Meyer is second in the conference with 11.1 rebounds per game, while Smith is second in the conference with 19.5 points per game this season.

Portland State
  • As a team the Vikings sit at the top of nearly ever team statistical category.  Portland State currently boasts the best scoring defense in the conference and is only allowing 59.4 points per game this season.
  • The Vikings only loss this week came at Idaho on a pair of last second free throws that handed them their second conference defeat of the season.
  • Portland State will face Idaho State later this week.  Both teams currently have two losses in league play.

Sacramento State
  • The Hornets went 1-1 this week after picking up a win against Eastern Washington to close out the week.  
  • Kennedy Nicholas had another impressive week for Sacramento State.  Against Idaho, she went off for 18 points and 19 rebounds.
  • The Hornets will host Idaho State and Weber State in a pair of games this weekend.
 
Southern Utah
  • Southern Utah hosts Eastern Washington and Idaho this weekend.  The Thunderbirds are on a three game conference losing streak and are looking to turn things around this weekend.
  • Southern Utah is active on the defensive end of the ball and has two players in the top five in steals per game this season.  Harley Hansen is currently third with 2.5 steals per game and Rebecca Cardenas is fifth with 2.07 steals per game.

Weber State
  • The Wildcats will face Sacramento State and Portland State in a pair of games this week.  The Wildcats are looking to get their second conference win of the season.
  • Jaiamoni Welch-Coleman continues to be the teams leader and is seventh in the conference in offensive production.  Welch-Coleman is currently averaging 16.8 points per game this season.