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Big Sky Semifinals: ISU vs PSU

Monday, March 9th, 2009 by wiviking in Big Sky, Idaho State, Portland State, basketball



Meeting for the third time after splitting this season’s previous match-ups, the Idaho State Bengals and Portland State Vikings get to take care of some unfinished business. Both teams would really like this win from a standpoint that it would give them bragging rights, but the ultimate prize is the obvious berth in the Big Sky Championship. For the Vikings, a win would give them the chance to prove that they can beat Weber State after playing two close games without a positive result. The neutral court should be interesting. Idaho State is likely to bring more of their own fans, and is also likely to have the support of the Weber State faithful. The solace for the Vikings is that they have led by double figures in both of the previous games. If they can sustain 40 minutes of intensity, they should win.

Match-Ups
Center
ISU: Demetrius Monroe/Deividas Busma/Lucas Steijn/Felix Caspari PSU: Jamie Jones
The player seeing the majority of the minutes at center for the Bengals is anyone’s guess (probably Steijn). Perhaps the lack of a consistent option is the reason, and maybe playing everyone in this group between 10-15 minutes at one of the two big man spots just keeps them all fresh and effective. The main man up front in the most recent match-up was Honorable Mention All Big Sky Lucas Steijn. If Steijn is the answer for Idaho State, he presents major match-up problems for the 6’7” Jones and 6’5” Thomas. The one positive for the Vikings in all of this is that Steijn is primarily a jump shooter with very little power game. Don’t expect him to have his way with the Viking big men the same way Brandon Moore of Eastern Washington did. Jones was a non factor in the February 12 game coming off his foot injury. If he can provide an inside scoring presence, the Vikings are a different team. Look for the coaching staff to call plays that will get him established early as they have in recent games. Ultimately, the majority of both teams’ points will come elsewhere, so the stat to watch for is offensive rebounds, which every team in the Big Sky seems to give up at an astronomical rate.
Advantage: Push

Power Forward
ISU: Chron Tatum PSU: Kyle Coston
Even though he played 25 minutes in the game in Pocatello, Kyle Coston managed just 1 point. Since then, he has averaged 8 points per game, with the only sub-par performance coming at Eastern Washington. Nobody on the Viking coaching staff expects Kyle to match Tatum’s all-around game. However, if he can play tough defense and keep Tatum off the boards by making some 3 pointers, he will make a lot of people happy. Tatum has averaged 13 points and 5 rebounds against the Vikings this season. Expect him to be right on those numbers again. If he’s the one who leads the Bengals in scoring, they have no chance.
Advantage: Bengals

Small Forward
ISU: Amorrow Morgan PSU: Phil Nelson
Morgan is the guy that transforms the Bengals from a mediocre team into the team that was expected to challenge for the Big Sky regular season title this year. Unfortunately, things haven’t turned out quite as expected in Pocatello. Amorrow has averaged 13.6 points per game this season, but gone over 20 just twice during the Big Sky portion of the schedule. That said, this is Idaho State’s chance at redemption. They beat a pesky Northern Colorado squad at home after trailing at halftime and now sit two games from the NCAA tournament. The only problem is that those two games match them up with Portland State, the most physically talented team in the conference, and if they win, Weber State, the best coached and most complete team. Coach Joe O’Brien will need Morgan to have at least 15 points if they hope to move on. He matches up with the frontrunner for next season’s Big Sky player of the year in Phil Nelson. It’s been a bit of an up and down year for Nelson, but the next two games provide him an opportunity to carry the team back towards its goal: a return to the NCAA tournament. However, if he isn’t effective, don’t be surprised to see Andre Murray log heavy minutes at the 3.
Advantage: Push

Shooting Guard
ISU: Donnie Carson PSU: Andre Murray
One never knows what to expect from a match-up like this one. Both Carson and Murray played very strong games the last time these teams met up. What’s different this time around? Well, after scoring 24 points in Pocatello, Andre has averaged just under 8 points per game. Carson has had two big games in his last five, but also had two awful performances. If he expects to play significant minutes in a game of this magnitude, he will need to step up and contribute in the way he has in his better games. After all, he is a far more complete player than Kilpatrick, the other option here.
Advantage: Vikings

Point Guard
ISU: Matt Stucki PSU: Jeremiah Dominguez
Although this should be the most fun match-up to watch, it seems like one of the two stars is always guarding somebody else. When the two teams met in Portland, Stucki shadowed Phil Nelson the entire game. In the second game, he played more off the ball and let Sherrod Baldwin and Amorrow Morgan handle it while he carried the team offensively. Perhaps third time’s the charm? I wouldn’t bet on it. In all likelihood we’ll see one of the first two scenarios relive itself. If Morgan is having a good shooting night, we’re likely to see Stucki shadow Nelson. If he isn’t, look for Stucki to try to match the multifaceted Viking offensive attack with his ability to hit the outside shot and get to the line. Either way, don’t expect him to be one on one with Dominguez the whole game. Last week, Jeremiah was rewarded with another First Team All Big Sky selection for his second great season in a row. He will be sorely missed next season, and the team will have to find somebody new to take and make the big time shots. Both players have put on a great show for Big Sky fans in the past couple years and should have opportunities to play basketball somewhere in Europe next year if they choose to.
Advantage: Push

Bench
Given that these teams have already played each other twice, we know the story of the bench players. Dominic Waters and Felix Caspari get to see each other again after their fight on the way to the locker room in Portland. Other contributors for the Bengals include Austin Kilpatrick, a shooter, and Sherrod Baldwin. The Vikings rely on Julius Thomas’ energy and Tyrell Mara’s defensive prowess off the bench.
Advantage: Vikings

Prediction: PSU 78 ISU 73

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Idaho State @ Portland State

Tuesday, January 6th, 2009 by wiviking in Big Sky, Idaho State, Portland State, basketball


The Idaho State Bengals will enter the Peter W. Stott Center on Saturday night with a tough assignment: Trying to beat a team that has won 17 Big Sky games in a row and 15 in a row at home. They will also be only one rest day removed from a tough conference road game at Eastern Washington. The good news for the Bengals is that their tough non-conference schedule is finally over. After being picked to finish near the top of the Big Sky by almost everybody, the Bengals had 3 straight overtime losses to begin the season to go along with the bagel in the win column for road games. One bright spot is the continued development of junior small forward Amorrow Morgan, who has stepped up his production to become the team’s star.

For the Vikings, the story is quite different. Saturday night should be another chance to extend their great conference and home streaks while continuing a dream season. The Viks won all 3 match-ups between the two teams last season, including a 72-61 result that propelled PSU to the Big Sky Championship game. Stucki was the main point of damage, scoring 20 or more points in two of the three contests, so look for the Viks to really focus their defensive attention around him.

Match-Ups
Center
ISU: Demetrius Monroe/Deividas Busma PSU: Jamie Jones
Demetrius Monroe has had an up and down season for the Bengals, going for a double-double in his first four games and then seeing a vast drop-off in production since mid-December (averaging under 3 points per game in his last 6). Given his lack of success, 7’0” center Deividas Busma has seen more time as of late. His size could give Jamie Jones a lot of problems on the inside, but his inability to keep up with Jones may force Joe O’Brien to leave Monroe on the floor. It’s hard to envision a situation in which Jones would have any sort of advantage here unless Busma is on the court and it becomes a track meet. Look for the Bengals to exploit this mismatch and see where it takes them.
Advantage: Bengals

Power Forward
ISU: Chron Tatum PSU: Kyle Coston
After not seeing much time at the beginning of the season, Chron Tatum has recently worked his way into the rotation as an important body in the front line. His preference for inside play will likely make Kyle Coston uncomfortable, as he prefers to hover around the three point line. The winner of this match-up will depend on who gets the ball more often in places where he can be successful, as neither is much of a creator on his own. Given that Tatum’s preference is for easier shots, look for him to produce more than Coston.
Advantage: Bengals

Small Forward
ISU: Amorrow Morgan PSU: Phil Nelson
The junior from Memphis has become the go-to guy for the Bengals this season, at one point scoring 31 points (versus Boise State). Fortunately for the Bengals, he has the opportunity to be guarded by a player who could be called a project defensively. Nelson is making strides and can make amazing plays on either end, but is also one to take plays off and let his marks score easily. Nelson will get a chance to prove all of the doubters wrong here, and perhaps put the Big Sky on notice. One game after the exciting show down between two of the premier point guards in the Big Sky, Viking fans will get to see the first iteration of a dandy of a small forward match-up in person. I’m hesitant to pick either one, as they are two of the conference’s brightest stars, and should be exciting for the rest of this season and next at least.
Advantage: Push

Shooting Guard
ISU: Kal Bay PSU: Andre Murray
Kal Bay is a bit of an unknown to the Viks, but he will definitely be one to keep an eye on. After playing his freshman season at the University of Colorado, Bay transferred to the College of Eastern Utah where he had a solid year. He is the least of the Vikings worries from an offensive standpoint, but they will make sure to get a hand in his face when he is shooting the 3 ball because he can fill it up if given the chance. Andre Murray will get a chance to prove his mettle in this match-up. This is one of the games when the Vikings will need a big scoring night from both Murray and Dominic Waters if they are going to have any chance at winning. They both have the potential to score 20 or more points and I have no doubt that they will both do that in this game.
Advantage: Vikings

Point Guard
ISU: Matt Stucki PSU: Jeremiah Dominguez
This should be another of the intriguing point guard match-ups to watch this season. It is also unique because Stucki stands a full foot taller than Dominguez. While one player has the size and power advantage, the other has the quickness and hand speed advantage. No matter who is more productive, these two all-conference performers should put on a show. Stucki and Dominguez matched up 3 times last season, with Stucki getting the better of Dominguez in two of the three. The good thing for Viking fans is that Dominguez outperformed Stucki at the Stott Center. The Vikings will need him to do that again if they are going to win this one.
Advantage: Vikings

Bench
Depending on who starts for the Bengals, they could have two seven-footers available to come off the bench. Although neither is a huge scoring threat, they should be able to affect the way PSU chooses to defend the rest of the team. The Bengals also have Donnie Carson and Austin Kilpatrick on the bench, two players who have the potential to make a difference if they get enough shots. The Viking bench will again include Dominic Waters, Tyrell Mara, and Wendell Wright, with the potential for Mickey Polis to make an appearance. Ken Bone and Viking fans will have to hope that Waters can continue to impact games as he has so far this season. Mara may also have an important role in this game if Coston has trouble being physical with Tatum down low.
Advantage: Vikings

I’m not sure why, but I think the Bengals match up really well with the Vikings this season. If any team has the athletes at the right positions to knock off the Vikings at home, it’s either the Weber State Wildcats or these Bengals. On this night I think the Vikings will prevail. Perhaps a game later in the season would allow a different outcome, but given the current records and production I’m going with the Vikings at home.
Prediction: PSU 76 ISU 71

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Posted in Big Sky, Idaho State, Portland State, basketball | No Comments »

Soccer recap

Monday, August 25th, 2008 by isusuperfan in Big Sky, Idaho State

Well, school has started and now all of us students gotta get back to the grind of homework, papers, and summoning up the energy to attend class.  That includes moi!  Anyways, last week saw the first two Idaho State games, both of which were soccer and one of which was just an exhibition.  I’ll recap that too!

Exhibition vs Northwest Nazarene (ISU wins, 4-0)

This game saw several new things for this season.  For one, this was the first game where I had chest paint (and got one horrible sunburn) and had a stadium horn to start out with.  Second, we utilized the flip-throw plenty this game, and it was very effective in getting ball in to the goal area where we can threaten to score off the bat better than a usual throw in.  Third, there were plenty of new faces this year with 8, count ‘em 8 freshman.  Fourth, we attempted more shots in that game than we did in 3 games last year.  The entire game featured 31 shots attempted with 17 of those coming in the first half alone.  This had to be influenced by last year’s tough season which we tied 6 times (more than we lost with 5; we finished 7-5-6).  We scored early on in the first half twice, with one goal coming from Kilee Quigley and later Katie Miller.  We picked up where we left off last year with a stifling defense (one of the league’s best) allowing only 4 shots all game from NNU.  The other two goals in the game were by freshman Ashley Askwig, who is looking very good thus far and Noelle Sanders, who is also looking sharp.  Actually, now that I think about it, all the freshman are looking good.  Freshman Alex Hansen took 4 shots in the game, giving us all a hint of how aggressive this team is going to be this year (maybe a tad too aggressive, we were whistled for offsides 11 times and fouled 13.  Ah well, better to attack than to wait for the opponent to come for us, I say.  A new attitude for ISU!)

Idaho State 2, Utah State 1 (Double Overtime)

WOW!  What a game that was!  In fact, that was a WAR!  I can’t begin to describe how incredible that game was!  Both teams came out and fought like mad, like it was a championship!!!  All that was needed was some rain, hahaha!  Anyways, Utah State came out and drew first blood and stifled our attack for awhile.  We were a little timid and a little out of it, until Coach Gibson put in Alex Hansen, who gave us a shot of much needed aggression.  That did it a few minutes later when Lauren Ryan, a sophomore, scored to tie the game at 1-1.  And it stayed that way through regulation.  Both teams were playing with guts, passion and relentless grit.  I tip my hat to the Aggies, they played us tough and fought the good fight.  I love those kinds of games.  Even their goalie was aggressive to the point she kept running out of her net area to chase balls down to prevent us from shooting (which cost the Aggies the game, you’ll see why in a bit).  Both overtimes were the same, both teams just fighting it out and had several very close encounters (Utah State damn near gave me a heart attack several times), but it all came down to this: In the 2nd overtime, there was 16 seconds left.  We had the ball in their territory having driven it down.  It was just Alex Hansen, the goalie, and Ashley Askwig.  Hansen, for whom I’m very proud of, finally did what I wanted to see: she ran right into the goalie who chased the ball down (I’m SO glad that’s not a penalty, aggressive goalies gotta pay for their actions at times, unless they’re our goalies hahahaha).  Skwig took the ball and just nailed it down the net…WITH 16 SECONDS LEFT!!!  It was incredible, the place went nuts (and there was 450 people there…good job everyone!  That’s what ISU needs!!!  Crowds like that!)!!!!  Some football players who were there helped me lead the crowd in chants, including the now popular Aggie Meat chant and after Skwig nailed that shot (her 2nd in two games, she’s just awesome!!!) the football players all ran down to the first row and celebrated and mobbed me and anyone in sight.  It was just so awesome!!!  I’m still trying to get my voice back from that game!

Well, we travel to Air Force and Colorado College (who is actually a powerhouse; they’ve beaten Texas A&M, Oklahoma and LSU), and then we gotta go to Moscow for the Governor’s Cup (we should host the damn thing, we’ve won it twice in a row now…winner hosts the tournament, none of this sharing crap.  20 bucks says the Governor goes to Moscow after shirking us last year in Pocatello…he should’ve come out here last year).  And I’m off for 3 long weeks as ISU is on the road everywhere (thanks to Paul Bubb, who HAD to schedule just 5 home games this year in football…the first home game is the 18th).  Until then, it’s just watching college football and keeping up with the teams on the road.  My Buckeyes play USC on the 13th, so I’m gonna be jacked up for that one.  I will see you all later!  GO BENGALS!!!

Posted in Big Sky, Idaho State | 2 Comments »

PSU VS ISU (3/11) Big Sky Semifinals

Tuesday, March 11th, 2008 by wiviking in Big Sky, Idaho State, Portland State

Idaho State comes into the Big Sky semi-finals on the heels of a two point victory over Montana. They are the real unknown of the four remaining teams. They are young, and should be in the upper-echelon of the Big Sky for the next few years.

For the Vikings, there is a different story. After a 23 point win at home against the Bengals, and a 10 point win on the road, there is little reason to doubt Portland State’s chances to advance to advance to the Big Sky Championship game. If there is one unknown, it is how the Viking players will react to the Rose Garden. The only other game there this year, the Vikings only beat Division III Lewis & Clark by 1 point. Needless to say the current Viking team has come a long way. They give up the friendly confines of the Stott Center for the added seating capacity and big game atmosphere of the Rose Garden. One would hope the great season Ken Bone’s squad has had would bring more than a thousand fans to championship games.

Match-Ups
Center
ISU: Lucas Steijn PSU: Scott Morrison
This match-up is not fair. Out of the 3 options the Bengals have here, none can guard Scott Morrison, none can rebound with Morrison and none can score against Morrison. In the first game, Morrison had a very solid all-around game while holding Steijn to just 3 points and 3 rebounds. The second match-up saw Morrison have a little less success offensively, while giving the Bengal centers 2 points and 4 rebounds. Even JR Moore had success. I don’t see much changing. As I said before their last game, ISU doesn’t really have any post presence, so PSU may be able to put a little more pressure on the wing players.
Advantage: Vikings

Forward
ISU: Logan Kinghorn PSU: Kyle Coston
Kinghorn was outplayed by his backup, Chron Tatum in the second game against the Vikings. If Kinghorn starts slowly this time, look for the Bengals to go to Tatum early. They can’t hold anything back, as this is likely the last game of their season. Kyle Coston had a so-so game the last time he played against the Bengals, with 8 points and 2 rebounds. Considering how ineffective the other options for the Vikings were at the 4, he had a solid game. PSU doesn’t necessarily need a great effort from this position to win the game, but a little extra cushion couldn’t hurt.
Advantage: Push

Guard/Forward
ISU: Amorrow Morgan PSU: Deonte Huff
Morgan has had decent success against Huff, going for 11 points in both contests. However, he hasn’t been able to equal Huff’s success (20 points and 6 rebounds the last game between the two.) As I pointed out the last game between the two, Morgan is only a sophomore, so he could one day become the player Huff is. However, he is not ready to beat out the Big Sky first-teamer at this point in his career.
Advantage: Vikings

Off Guard
ISU: Donnie Carson/Austin Kilpatrick PSU: Andre Murray
Kilpatrick won the last battle between the two with 14 points to Murray’s 6. However, Murray went only 2-10 from the field. Assuming he can hit an average percentage of his shots, Andre should be able to keep pace. He outrebounded Kilpatrick 5-1 in the first match-up, something he probably won’t have to do in this match-up for the Vikings to have success. Can Kilpatrick seize the initiative and provide the much-needeed scoring punch aside Stucki and Morgan? If not, this game won’t be close. Recently, Carson has been receiving a lot of playing time. Against Montana he turned that into 10 points and 5 rebounds. If he can pitch in and contribute the same amount tonight, that will help keep the game close, and perhaps Stucki can pull something out of the bag late, who knows?
Advantage: Push

Point
ISU: Matt Stucki PSU: Jeremiah Dominguez
Stucki may be the one player who gives Dominguez serious problems defensively. Dominguez has been great all year, but the 6’6” Stucki is a full foot taller than Dominguez. Here, I gave the advantage to Stucki in the Stott Center game based on their outputs in the first game. Dominguez was able to hit right on his averages, but Stucki was great, going for 26 points. However, Dominguez had a very solid all-around game in the second match-up that superceded Stucki. As this season progressed, one could tell Jeremiah went out every night to send a message. He was rewarded for his outstanding play with the Big Sky Player of the Year award. He is clearly the factor that made last year’s mediocre squad into this year’s Big Sky champions.
Advantage: Vikings

Bench
The Vikings have the advantage here. The Bengals have three bench players who average 5 or more points per game, but none who is a real threat to go for a bunch of points. At home, the Viking bench players just tend to do better. Alex Tiefenthaler had 16 points the first time around against ISU, but failed to score a single point in the second contest. JR Moore stepped up with 6 points and 9 big rebounds in the second contest. With Julius Thomas healthy, Moore may not even see time. Hard to believe that even JR was dominant in the post against the Bengals.
Advantage: Vikings

Well… now comes the time for a prediction. The Bengals won only two conference games away from home: Northern Colorado and Montana. I predicted 76-60 at the Stott Center, and the game came out 81-58. This time, I’m expecting the Vikings to score a few less points in the unfamiliar atmosphere at the Rose Garden. However, I think they should still have plenty to get by the Bengals for a championship match-up with Northern Arizona or Weber State.
Prediction: PSU 73-60

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PSU VS ISU (2/14)

Wednesday, February 13th, 2008 by wiviking in Big Sky, Idaho State, Portland State


It would surprise most people around the league if this game was really close, even though the Bengals are 6-4 in conference. PSU beat them by 10 in Pocatello, and Matt Stucki went for 26 in that game. It is possible he can equal that effort, but in all likelihood that won’t be enough to pull off what would be a major upset. The only way the Bengals can win this one is if the Vikings beat themselves. We have seen it happen this year, but not recently. Games that come to mind are the awful home meltdown against San Jose State, and the road loss to Eastern Washington. The current rotation for the Viks is a very confident one, and for good reason.

Match-Ups
Center
ISU: Lucas Steijn PSU: Scott Morrison
This match-up was ugly the last time around. Morrison had a very solid all-around game while holding Steijn to just 3 points and 3 rebounds. I don’t see much changing. Steijn has only averaged 7.3 points and 3.3 rebounds all season. The other option for the Bengals, Demetrius Monroe, has rebounded a bit better, but is no more of an offensive threat. In fact, ISU doesn’t really have any post presence, so PSU may be able to put a little more pressure on the wing players.
Advantage: Vikings

Forward
ISU: Logan Kinghorn PSU: Kyle Coston
ISU tends to go with a 4 guard lineup, one of which being Kinghorn. However, he is the best rebounder, so he will likely match-up on whoever the Vikings have inside other than Morrison. He only managed one rebound in their first game, but he only played for 17 minutes. He has outplayed Coston in every offensive category so far this year, but in their head to head match-up he had no points and just one rebound. Factor in Alex Tiefenthaler’s 16 points in the first game, and PSU dominated at this position. You have to figure that Kinghorn will be able to fare a little better in the second game.
Advantage: Push

Guard/Forward
ISU: Amorrow Morgan PSU: Deonte Huff
Morgan had a very solid second half the first game. He had a tough time in the first half, but was able to salvage 11 points. The sophomore may become one of the better players in the conference in years to come. Like Huff, he has the ability to score in many ways. All that said, I have to again give the advantage to the consistent senior. He has been solid for the Vikings all year, and there has been no indication that he will do anything less in the future. At home, he has been even better, averaging 15 points per game. I’ll take 15 against 10 any day.
Advantage: Vikings

Off Guard
ISU: Austin Kilpatrick PSU: Andre Murray
If Kilpatrick is going to beat Murray, it will be with his size. At 6’6” he may be the tallest player Murray has to match up against. If Murray is going to win, he’ll have to beat Kilpatrick with his quickness and athleticism. As PSU should have the inside advantage in this game, Murray will be allowed to stick to the role of shooter, unless the game gets close. He has shot the ball well at home, and has adapated well to a starting role. With no clear advantage in this one, we’ll have to see what wins out.
Advantage: Push

Point
ISU: Matt Stucki PSU: Jeremiah Dominguez
Stucki may be the one player who gives Dominguez serious problems defensively. Dominguez has been great all year, but the 6’6” Stucki is a full foot taller than Dominguez. This match-up is an accented version of the one at shooting guard. Height and power versus speed and quickness. Here, I give the advantage to Stucki based on their outputs in the first game. Dominguez was able to hit right on his averages, but Stucki was great, going for 26 points.
Advantage: Bengals

Bench
The Vikings have the advantage here. The Bengals have three bench players who average 5 or more points per game, but none who is a real threat to go for a bunch of points. At home, the Viking bench players just tend to do better. Alex Tiefenthaler had 16 points the first time around against ISU, and will try to duplicate that on Thursday. Other players may see extended time, as they did against Sac State, if this game has the kind of spread one would expect.
Advantage: Vikings

I am hard pressed to predict the score in this one. The teams hit right on their season averages in the first match-up. On Thursday, the question is whether the Vikings are looking past ISU to their weekend match-up with Weber State. If so, this could be a close game. Both Amorrow Morgan and Matt Stucki are very solid players. I don’t think the Vikings will have trouble here. The upperclassmen have pulled the team out of their tailspin, and really righted the ship. The role players should get their minutes, and save a major injury, the Viks should roll at home.
Prediction: PSU 76-60

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Ex-Bobcat Coaches Land In Big Sky

Wednesday, July 18th, 2007 by catbob in Idaho State, Montana State, Weber State

Don Bailey, former offensive coordinator for Montana State, is reported to be heading to Weber State to coach WRs.  Bailey was scrutinized in his time in Bozeman, for a vanilla playback and predictable calls.  But then again, that just described every fanbase’s opinion of their OC.  Bailey was highly thought of in regards to recruiting, however.

ISU has announced they have hired former linebackers coach and defensive coordinator Rob Christoff.  Christoff will coach linebackers for the Bengals.  He was promoted to DC last year when former DC Pete Kwiatkowsk left the team to accept a position at Boise State.  Many Cat fans were hoping Christoff would be retained, but that was not the case.

Posted in Idaho State, Montana State, Weber State | 1 Comment »

Bengal Making Big Waves!

Friday, July 6th, 2007 by votb in Idaho State

Natalie Doma Leads Team Canada

Women’s Basketball

Doma Leads Team Canada to Three Wins at U21 FIBA World Championships

2007 All-American fronts canada in both scoring and rebounding

Natalie Doma scores against host Russia at the 2007 FIBA U21 Women’s Basketball World Championship.

July 6, 2007

Moscow, Russia–Idaho State’s Natalie Doma has helped the 2007 Canada U21 national team to a 3-2 record at the FIBA Women’s U21 World Championship at the SK Vidnoje Basketball Hall in Moscow, Russia. Doma will continue play in the semi-final round on July 7 against Brazil.

Looking forward to her senior season at Idaho State, Doma leads team Canada in both scoring (10.8 ppg.) and rebounding (8.5 rpg.) through six games at the world championship.

The all-time ISU point scorer ranks fourth in rebounding at the championship, just ahead of team USA and Oklahoma standout Courtney Paris. Doma, a 2007 All-American, has led team Canada to wins over China, Mali, and Belgium.

Doma recorded an 18-point, 15-rebound double-double effort in a 78-54 route of China. She also scored double digits with 13 points in a win over Belgium and 10 points in a loss to France.

Team Canada currently sits in third place behind France and Russia in Group A. Canada dropped a 98-57 decision to Australia in the quarter finals, a team that lost only one game in the preliminary round, to top-ranked USA by two points.

Canada now moves on to play in the semi-final round on July 7 against Brazil. The team will then move on to play in the final round on July 8.

Team Canada’s U21 roster consists of current Canadian born NCAA Division I basketball players around the nation, including Alisha Tatham (UMass), Tata Watts (Rice), Kadie Riverin (Rice), Kendel Ross (Dayton), Courtnay Pilypaitis (Vermont), and Miranda Ayim (Pepperdine).

For more information on the 2007 FIBA U21 World Championships, including live stats for games, visit http://www.russia2007.fiba.com. For more information on Canada Basketball, visit www.basketball.ca. Natalie Doma scores against host Russia at the 2007 FIBA U21 Women's Basketball World Championship.

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“Killer” of a Coach passes away…

Tuesday, June 12th, 2007 by votb in Idaho State

Former Idaho State Basketball Coach Jim Killingsworth Passes Away at Age 83

Killer led ISU to upset of UCLA in 1977 and a win from the Final Four

Jim Killingsworth

June 11, 2007

Owasso, OK — Jim Killingsworth, the basketball coach who took Idaho State to heights never before reached in 1977 when he led ISU to perhaps the greatest pure upset in the history of the NCAA Tournament, ending UCLA’s epic run of 11-straight Final Fours, died on Sunday in Owasso, Oklahoma from complications of a stroke.

Killingsworth, who would have turned 84 on June 19, coached Idaho State from 1971-77, and ranks tied for second on the all-time wins list at Idaho State with a record of 109-54. In his six seasons, he led the Bengals to three regular season titles, and two NCAA Tournament trips, in 1974 and 1977. The Bengals never finished lower than second place in any of Killer’s six seasons.

The 1974 team lost to New Mexico in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, but it was the 1977 team that brought fame and notoriety to Killingsworth and the Bengals. After winning the league title and dispatching of Long Beach State 83-72 in the first game of the tournament in Pocatello, the Bengals traveled to Provo, Utah to take on the #2 UCLA Bruins. All UCLA had done was make 11 consecutive Final Fours, but a 12th appearance was denied as the Bengals took down the mighty Bruins 76-75.

Had the game happened perhaps 10 years later, when March Madness first started to really creep into the American lexicon, the Bengals and Killingsworth would have been famous. As it was, the Bengals lost in their shot at the Final Four, losing to UNLV 107-90. That would be Jim’s final game with the Bengals, as he became the head coach at Texas Christian, eventually leading their stagnant basketball program to the NCAA Tournament as well.

Killingworth, who suffered a stroke nearly a month ago while at home, died at St. John’s Hospital. A service will be held at 10:30 am on Friday morning at First United Methodist Church in Glen Rose, Texas. Former ISU Basketball Coach Jim Killingsworth

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