Weber State
The Idaho women’s basketball team has a huge road weekend in front of them with seeding implications and a trophy on the line. The Vandals will travel to Ogden, Utah, to take on the 7-18 (4-8) Weber State Wildcats, who defeated Idaho 61-56 at ICCU Arena on Jan. 20. The Vandals and Wildcats second go around will tip off from the Dee Events Center on Thursday, Feb. 15 at 5 p.m.
Senior forward Jadyn Matthews caused Idaho problems in the last matchup with 19 points and 11 rebounds. The Vandals will look to contain her and the Wildcats to get back in the win column. Head Coach Carrie Eighmey discussed the mindset of the team’s upcoming road trip.
“Staying focused on one game at a time anyway, we’re trying to win that game,” she said. “We’ll keep that mentality of focusing on Weber State first. We’re going to try and win that game, and then we’ll get over to Idaho State and try to do the same.”
Leaders are huge, especially on the road, and one for the Vandals stepped up substantially last game and will be counted on this weekend. Graduate guard Sarah Schmitt exploded for a season-high 16 points and five rebounds in Saturday’s loss to Eastern. Schmitt will be crucial in walking out of Ogden with a win.
Idaho State
The Bengals and Vandals round two of the Battle for King Spud will tip off from Reed Gym on Saturday, Feb. 17 at 1 p.m.
The second annual King Spud trophy is up for grabs. The Vandals need a huge day to return that slippery potato trophy to the Palouse. With the Bengals defeating the Vandals 61-56 in the ICCU arena, the Vandals know the importance of the game and the rivalry with Idaho State.
“It’s an important in-state rivalry. Our players are disappointed they dropped the game here,” Eighmey said. “We felt like we had an opportunity to win that game and didn’t close it. So yeah, I think both games are important. The one Saturday because it’s an in-state rivalry that our players are looking forward to.”
The Bengals are 10-13 (6-6), looking to get back on track after losing back-to-back games to Sacramento State and Portland State.
With bragging rights, the King Spud trophy and potential Big Sky tournament seeding implications, Saturday might be the biggest game of the Vandals’ season. The Vandals look to avenge their loss this weekend and improve their seed for the Big Sky tournament in just under a month.
Jayden Barfuss can be reached at [email protected] or on X @JaydenBarfuss10