While last season ended abruptly without an official Big Sky Championship title winner, University of Idaho women’s basketball is back in action and facing off against Idaho State University in this year’s unique championship.
The Vandals topped the Bengals in last year’s Big Sky semifinals. Previously this season, the rivals faced each other in the “Battle of the Domes,” splitting the games with a win for each.
Vandals have a 14-3 conference record and 17-6 overall. They topped Montana State University in semifinals on Wednesday 80-64. The Bengals will be coming to the court with a record of 15-2, 21-3 overall. Idaho State beat the University of Northern Colorado in semifinals 65-55.
The Bengals have the second-best defense in the league, giving an average of 59.3 points per game, compared to the Vandals with a 67.2 point average. The Vandals hold the best offense of the league, scoring an average of 73.1 points per game, but the Bengals aren’t far behind with a 71.7 point average per game.
The projected starters for the Vandals include two of the three top scorers. Graduate student guard Gabi Harrington, with an average of 16.7 points per game, and sophomore guard/post Beyonce Bea, averaging 16.3 points per game.
The third top scorer and frequent starter junior guard Gina Marxen, who averaged 12.5 points per game, is out for the tournaments. Her position will likely be filled in by senior guard Allison Kirby, who had her first career double-double during the March 5 game against University of Montana, and averaged 6.0 points, 9.5 rebounds and 5.0 assists in tournament play.
Also in projected starters is senior post Natalie Klinker, who had her fourth double-double of the season in Wednesday’s match against Montana State along with a career-high of 19 points and 11 rebounds. The last projected starter is freshman guard Sydney Gandy, who has had a 21-point average in tournament play compared to an average of 10.5 points per game in the overall season.
For live coverage of the Big Sky Championship, follow @VandalNation on Twitter
Cody Roberts can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @CodyRobReports