Nov. 21, 2009

Game Notes: Boise State and Montana Western

Pocatello, ID-- Idaho State (0-3) looks to snap a three-game losing streak when the Bengals play its first home games of the season against Boise State (3-0) and Montana Western (4-4). Idaho State hosts its home opener against Boise State on Saturday, November 21 at 3:35 p.m. in the middle of a triple-header at Reed Gym. The Bengals will have two days to recover before hosting Montana Western on Tuesday, November 24 at 7:05 p.m. at Reed Gym completing ISU's three game stretch in six days.

Live stats will be available at the Idaho State main athletic web page at www.isubengals.com. All of Idaho State's home games are broadcast by KISU 91.1 FM by play-by-play announcer Mark Liptak. He will be joined by Brad Bugger who will be doing the color commentator. Fans can also access the broadcast through a web link on ISU's athletic web page at www.isubengals.com. All of Idaho State's home games are also video broadcast on www.bigskytv.org with the KISU radio broadcast linked with the video.

Idaho State has faced tall, strong opponents that have reduced ISU's ability to hit shots inside the paint thus reducing the team to a .318 field goal percentage. Even after handing tough pressure the Bengals have hit .348 from the arc even while posting 1-of-8 (12.5 percent) against Nebraska. Freshman Brea Matthews was the only Bengal to post a trey against Nebraska. Idaho State has struggled in two categories while facing top-notch opponents including rebounding and turnovers. Idaho State averages just 30.3 rebounds per game while its opponents average 50.3 rebounds. While ISU struggles on rebounds overall, it is the offensive boards that have hurt ISU the most recording 32 over its first three games. Senior Oana Iacovita leads the Bengals with seven offensive rebounds.

Senior Iacovita's leadership isn't the only thing she leads in. Iacovita also leads the Bengals in minutes played, points, points per game, made field goals, free throw percentage, rebounds, rebounds per game, as well as offensive rebounds and defensive rebounds. She averages 13 points per game, 32.3 minutes per game, and 6 rebounds per game. She posts a .354 field goal percentage hitting 16-of-44 and holds a .500 three-point field goal percentage hitting 2-of-4 from the arc. Her free throw percentage is at 71.4 percent. She has recorded 7 offensive and 11 defensive rebounds. Iacovita has recorded double-figures in points in all three of ISU's games this season and led ISU in rebounds against Nebraska with eight.

Even with the tough competition Idaho State averages a .382 accuracy from the arc which is the third best average in the Big Sky Conference. Freshman Kaela Oakes and Iacovita are tied for fourth in the Big Sky for three-point field goal percentage, while freshman Morgan Wohltman leads the Bengals in three-point field goals made with four to tie for seventh most in the Big Sky.

Boise State opened the 2009-10 season with a three-game victory streak including two wins over Big Sky schools Weber State (66-58) and Portland State (92-80). Boise State is a high-scoring team averaging 78 points and holding its opponents to just under 60 points per game. Guard Tasha Harris leads the Bengals averaging 17 points per game. Interesting fact, Harris is both an BSU and ISU student. Graduating from Boise she is currently enrolled in the ISU/BSU cooperative program. Boise State leads the series 40-18 with the Broncos capturing the last six meeting including a 65-58 win over the Bengals at the Taco Bell Arena last season.

Montana Western is 4-4 for the season and are on a two-game win streak posting victories over the College of Idaho and Dickinson State. Montana Western will have a game on Sunday, November 22 against Minot State at home before heading to Reed Gym on Tuesday, November 24 at 7:05 p.m. Montana Western pots a .387 attack percentage and are led by Nicole Tams who averages 12.9 points per game. She also posts 4.9 rebounds per game. Megan Crist averages seven rebounds per game. Idaho State leads the Bulldogs 9-1 with Montana Western's only victory coming in the 2001-02 season when they prevailed 80-73. The last time these teams met was last season at Reed Gym where the Bengals posted an 83-60 win on December 3rd.