#BigSkyWBB Weekly Notebook - Feb 5
WEEKLY NOTEBOOK (PDF)
OGDEN, Utah (February 5, 2019) -- As we eclipse the midway point in the conference season there is a only one change at the top of the standings this week. More movement is expected as we inch closer to the Big Sky Championships in Boise.
- Two teams sit at the top of the standings with a 9-2 record in conference play. Idaho State and Northern Colorado currently hold down the top spot.
- A total of three teams have two losses in conference play after this week. Idaho State defeated Portland State 58-57 loss to hand the Vikings their third loss of the season.
- The Big Sky has a current RPI of 16 this season with Idaho State boasting the highest RPI among conference teams. The Bengals come in at No. 74 in the latest rankings.
- A key game this week that could shake up the standings some more will be this Saturday, February 9 when Northern Colorado travels to Portland State to take on the Vikings. The Bears beat Portland State earlier this season.
Eastern Washington
- Eastern Washington went 1-1 this week that included a 64-62 win over Northern Arizona.
- Violet Kapri Morrow is the fourth best offensive player in the conference and is averaging 18.7 points per game this season.
Idaho
- The Vandals picked up a pair of wins against Northern Arizona and Southern Utah to stay in the hunt for the top spot in the conference standings.
- Taylor Pierce remains the best three-point shooter this season in the nation and leads the country with an average of 4.37 made three-pointers per game.
- Idaho boasts the best scoring offense in the conference this season and is the 25th best in the nation. The Vandals are currently averaging 77.5 points per game this season.
Idaho State
- The Bengals picked up two wins this week including a crucial victory over Portland State that helped keep ISU at the top of the standings with a 9-2 conference record.
- ISU has one of the best defenses this season in the Big Sky and is only giving up 58.7 points per game to opponents.
- Grace Kenyon continues to rise to the challenge for the Bengals. This week she averaged 15 points, 5.5 rebounds per game and shot 46.4 percent from the field.
Montana
- The Lady Grizz played in only one game this week and suffered a 74-52 set back to Montana State.
- Jace Henderson is the third best rebounder so far in conference this season and averages 8.3 boards a game.
Montana State
- The Bobcats went 1-1 including a victory over in-state opponent Montana.
- Claire Lundberg continues to lead Montana State offensively and is sixth in the conference in points per game with an average of 17.2.
Northern Arizona
- The Lumberjacks suffered a pair of losses this week that included a two point loss to Eastern Washington.
- Kaleigh Paplow currently ranks in the top-10 in the conference in points and rebounds per game. Paplow is currently ninth in points per game and seventh in rebounds per game.
Northern Colorado
- Northern Colorado picked up an 84-73 victory against Montana State on Monday to split the home and home series with the Bobcats.
- Savannah Smith scored a program high 37 points in the game and shot over 60 percent from the field.
- Smith is second in the conference in points per game and is averaging 19.5 points per game this season. In conference play, Smith is the leading scorer with a 23.6 points per game average against Big Sky opponents.
Portland State
- The Vikings split their games this week after picking up a win against Weber State and then suffered a loss to Idaho State to finish the week 1-1.
- Portland State has the best defense this season and is only allowing opposing teams to score an average of 58.2 points per game.
- Kylie Jimenez and Ashley Bolston both lead the conference in steals per game with 2.74 and 2.58 steals per game respectively.
Sacramento State
- The Hornets picked up a 77-62 victory over Weber State to go 1-1 this week. Their loss was against league leader Idaho State
- Hannah Friend had an exceptional week and posted back-to-back double-doubles and averaged 19.5 points and 10.0 rebounds while shooting 52 percent from the field and 45.5 percent from three-point range during the week.
- Friend also ranks third in scoring per game this season in the conference and is averaging 18.9 points per game.
Southern Utah
- The Thunderbirds went 1-1 this week that included a 73-63 win against Eastern Washington.
- Harley Hansen and Rebecca Cardenas lead the SUU defense that is third in the conference in steals per game. Hansen averages 2.5 and Cardenas averages 1.88 steals per game.
Weber State
- The Wildcats went 2-0 this week after suffering losses at Sacramento State and Portland State.
- Jaiamoni Welch-Coleman is third in the conference for total points scored this season. Welch-Coleman has scored 3.49 points this season for the Wildcats.