‘Yote Notes – Nov. 8, 2004

Mike Safford Jr. – Sports Info. Director

msafford@collegeofidaho.edu

 

 

 

 

 

MEN’S BASKETBALL: Coyotes shock Boise State by 21, meet NNU for 182nd time before trip to San Diego

 

LAST WEEK: at Boise State (W 87-66)

 

COMING UP: United Heritage TipOff vs. Northwest Nazarene, Tuesday, 7 p.m. (Idaho Center); at Point Loma Classic, San Diego – vs. Christian Heritage, Friday, 5:30 p.m. (PST); vs. Point Loma Nazarene, Saturday, 4:30 p.m. (PST)

 

TELEVISION: The United Heritage TipOff vs. Northwest Nazarene will be broadcast live in the Treasure Valley on KTVB’s 24/7 Channel – locally Channel 28 for Cable One subscribers.  Sports Director David Augusto and Brian King will have the play-by-play beginning at 7 p.m., with the game re-running throughout the week

 

RADIO: Tuesday’s game vs. Northwest Nazarene and Friday’s game vs. Christian Heritage will be broadcast live on the Home of the Coyotes, 1490 KCID-AM with Mike Safford Jr. calling the action.  Saturday’s game will be broadcast on 1140 KGEM-AM, joined in progress, following Idaho State University football.

 

COYOTES SPOIL TACO BELL ARENA HOOPLA: Albertson College, enrollment 820; Boise State University, enrollment 19,000 – on paper, looks eerily similar to Hickory High vs. South Bend Central from the movie Hoosiers.  The script played out just as the cinema did, as the Coyotes pulled a shockingly easy victory over the NCAA Division I Broncos, 87-66, in the opener at Taco Bell Arena.  After trailing early by scores of 3-0 and 6-3, Albertson used a 13-1 run to jump out to a 16-7 lead – and never led by less than seven points the rest of the way.  The ‘Yotes, who led 44-27 at halftime, extended the advantage to as many as 27 points in the rout – sending the nearly 3,500 Bronco fans home in disbelief.  What was more amazing was the fact that the Albertson starters played 164 minutes in the game, while BSU starters logged 150 minutes.

 

FIRST WIN OVER BOISE STATE SINCE: The victory, albeit an exhibition win, was the first for Albertson over Boise State since 1956.  That win, a 93-51 victory for the College of Idaho over Boise Junior College, was one of only three victories for the ‘Yotes since 1950 over their big brother.  Albertson “ended” a 15-game losing streak to the Broncos with the win.

 

BIG BEND CONNECTION: Leading the Albertson charge on Friday was transfer Dan McFaul (Moses Lake, Wash. / Big Bend CC), who led all scorers in the game with 24 points and eight rebounds.  The junior, who hails from the same junior college as departed All-American Tom Perkes, jumpstarted the Coyote offense with 14 first half points, including ten of the first 16 points in the game.  McFaul shot 10-of-19 from the floor and played solid interior defense.

 

3-POINT ATTACK: Boise State, print newspapers, and local television pointed towards the Coyotes three-point attack as the reason Albertson pulled the upset.  E.J. Costello (Pleasanton, Calif. / Chabot CC) hit five consecutive three-pointers in one stretch, part of his 17 point night.  As a team, the Coyotes hit 10-of-22 shots from behind the arc – not as gaudy of a number as the press would like to think.

 

RICHARD’S REVENGE: Fans had the chance to see senior transfer Richard Fried (Middleton, Idaho / Boise State) return to “The Pavilion,” after leaving Boise State following his junior season.  The 6-9 post did not disappoint against his former club, scoring ten points on 4-of-4 shooting in 13 minutes of action.

 

THE THIEF: KBOI broadcaster Paul J. Schneider broke from tradition on the Bronco Radio Network and gave his Hustle Player of the Game to the Coyotes Joe Green (Pocatello, Idaho / BYU-Idaho).  The senior point-guard had an All-American performance, scoring five points, dishing out seven assists, and tying a school-record with eight steals – along with four more near-steals.  Green hampered the young BSU guards all night, as the ‘Yotes forced 17 Bronco turnovers.

 

UNITED HERITAGE TIPOFF: Thanks to United Heritage, Albertson and Northwest Nazarene will meet at the Idaho Center in men’s basketball for the next five years.  The United Heritage TipOff will be a celebration of Canyon County’s two four-year institutions, showcasing not only the great basketball teams, but the student bodies and the communities.  The ‘Yotes would like to thank Dennis Johnson and his staff for making the game possible.

 

IT’S BEEN A WHILE: A rivalry that spans nearly a century, it was perplexing to fans that Albertson and NNU have not met on the hardwood since 2001.  That night, the Coyotes won their 110th game against their rival – as Kris Cox  scored 17 points, one of six ‘Yotes in double-figures, as Albertson sprinted to a 99-86 win in the Idaho Center.  In fact, Albertson won the only other meeting in the IC against NNU, 73-59, during the 2000-01 season – as Ty Shaw recorded 15 points and 15 rebounds.

 

HISTORY OF SERIES: The recorded history of the Albertson-Northwest Nazarene series began in 1933, with the College of Idaho knocking off NNC, 23-16.  Overall, the two teams have met 181 times in men’s basketball, with the Coyotes holding a 110-71 advantage.  The Coyotes have had three seven-game win streaks in the series (1952-56,1960-62. 1984-86), while NNU has won five games in a row three times (1975-76, 1977-80, and 1996-97).

 

TEAMS ON A NATIONAL SCENE: Both the Coyotes and Crusaders have been very successful on the national stage over the course of the last four decades.  Albertson has advanced to 15 NAIA national tournaments, including three of the last four years – winning the 1996 crown.  Northwest Nazarene, before their move to the NCAA Division II made nine appearances in the NAIA tourney, with a second and three third-place finishes.  The two schools combined have a 31-22 record at nationals.

 

ABOUT THE CRUSADERS: A year after posting a 10-16 record, Northwest Nazarene has a new coach and a new intensity going into Tuesday’s game at the Idaho Center.  The Crusaders went through a tumultuous 2003-04 season, seeing then head coach Ed Weidenbach suffer a stroke midway through the season –putting players minds anywhere but the court.  With new head man Mike Terpstra at the helm, NNU looks for improvement in 2004-05.  The inside game will be key, thanks to returners Daniel Nyom (11.0 ppg, 6.3 rpg) and Mesut Ademoglu (16.5 ppg, 7.5 rpg), along with transfers Wade Joseph, who scored 18 in the Crusaders final intrasquad scrimmage, and Raymond Butler.  NNU returns guards Ryan McCarthy (8.3 ppg), who missed most of last season with a knee injury, and David Lehrschall (6.0 ppg). 

 

GAME AN EXHIBITION FOR NNU, NOT FOR THE ‘YOTES: Unlike Friday’s game in Boise, Tuesday’s United Heritage TipOff will be the first regular-season counter for the Coyotes.  However, the game will be one of two exhibitions for Northwest Nazarene – as the Crusaders will also tangle with Boise State later this week.

 

OFF TO SAN DIEGO: The game against Northwest Nazarene is not the only contest for the Coyotes this week, as Albertson heads south on Thursday for a two-game swing in Southern California.  The ‘Yotes open play against Christian Heritage, an NAIA Division I club from El Cajon.  The Hawks (2-0) opened up the 2004-05 season over the weekend with games at Bethany College (W 83-65) and Pacific Union (W 75-61), and are coming off a runner-up finish at the NCCAA national tournament.  Sophomore post Rowan Gray (16.3 ppg, 9.3 rpg) leads the CHC charge and is looking for a better performance against the ‘Yotes, after Albertson posted a 91-68 victory over the Hawks last season.  It will be the fifth meeting between the schools since 1990, with both teams winning two contests.  Saturday, the Coyotes meet tournament host Point Loma Nazarene.  The Sea Lions (0-3) had a rough trip to the Westminster Invitational over the weekend, losing three consecutive games to Lewis-Clark State (L 76-64), Westminster (L 80-60), and Montana-Western (L 92-83).  Point Loma was led by 6-8 post Tim Kruge (15.0 ppg, 9.7 rpg), along with guard Nick Nicholsen, who had nine three-pointers and 30 points in the lost to UM-Western.  Albertson has not faced the Sea Lions since the 1999-2000 season and trail the all-time series, 3-1.

 

‘YOTES RANKED #21 TO START SEASON: Fresh off their Round of 16 finish at the NAIA Division II national tournament, the Albertson men’s basketball team was ranked No. 21 in the preseason NAIA Division II Top-25 poll.  The ‘Yotes were one of four Cascade Conference teams in the group – Oregon Tech (No. 1), Southern Oregon (No. 16), and Western Baptist (No. 34). 

 

PRESEASON RANKINGS BECOMING FAMILIAR: For the fourth consecutive season, the Coyotes have been ranked to start the season.  Last season, Albertson began the year No. 12 and ascended as high as No. 3 in the nation.  During the 2002-03 season, the ‘Yotes began at No. 15, fell out of the poll, then rebounded for a second-round appearance at the NAIA tournament.  The 2001-02 team began the year at No. 8, but injuries plagued the team, as it failed to get out of the Cascade Conference tournament.  The last team not to be ranked to start a season was the 2000-01 club, Mark Owen’s first as head coach, a team that eventually advanced to the Elite Eight of the NAIA Tournament.

 

OWEN NEARING 100 WINS: Heading into the 2004-05 season, head coach Mark Owen is two wins away from No. 100.  In his first four years as head coach, Coach O has a 98-42 overall record.

 

MORE INFORMATION ON THE COYOTES: For game stories, statistics, and information regarding the Albertson men’s basketball program, head to the official site Coyote Basketball: www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/mensbasketball.htm.

 

CROSS COUNTRY: Coyotes to send three runners to NAIA Championships after solid regional races

 

LAST WEEK: at Cascade Conference / NAIA Region I Meet, Lents Park, Portland, Ore. – Men finished 4th in CCC, 7th in NAIA Region I; Women finished 5th in CCC, 8th in NAIA Region I.

 

COMING UP: at NAIA National Championships, Louisville, Ky., November 20.

 

COYOTES TO SEND THREE RUNNERS TO NATIONALS: For a first-year program, the news is outstanding.  The Albertson College cross country team will send three athletes to the NAIA National Championships in Louisville, Ky., after the Coyotes had multiple personal bests at last week’s regional race.

 

MEN’S TEAM TO SEND TWO RUNNERS: As expected, transfer David Flueckiger (Herisou, Switzerland / Virginia Commonwealth) qualified for nationals with a solid race on Saturday.  The sophomore shaved two seconds off his time from the NAIA Preview Meet, good enough for a sixth-place finish among Cascade Conference runners and a 12th-place finish overall.  Even more impressive, however, was the emergence of Tyler Hopper (Caldwell, Idaho / Caldwell HS) – who improved by his previous time on the course by 46 seconds.  The freshman placed 11th in the CCC and 23rd overall – good enough to earn the fifth and final at-large slot to the national meet.  By virtue of their Top-12 performances, both Flueckiger and Hopper earned All-Conference accolades.

 

MEN FINISH FOURTH: Overall, the men’s team placed fourth in the Cascade Conference race – losing only to Southern Oregon, Eastern Oregon, and Warner Pacific- all NAIA meet qualifiers.  In the regional standings, the Coyotes finished seventh out of 11 teams in the meet – defeating Oregon Tech, Western Baptist, Westminster, and Evergreen.  Individually, Jesse Chlebeck (Eagan, Minn. / Eagan HS) had an outstanding race, improving his previous time on the course by 26 seconds.

 

EDWARDS RUNS RACE OF HER LIFE: After having a tough race at the NAIA Preview Meet three weeks ago, Shannon Edwards (Sherwood, Ore. / Eastern Oregon Univ.) had something to prove.  The junior did just that on Saturday, running “the race of her life” according to head coach Pat McCurry, placing fifth in the Cascade Conference event and 17th overall.  Edwards demolished her previous time by a whopping 52 seconds, earning All-CCC honors and the No. 2 at-large berth to the NAIA Championships.  Last season, Edwards finished 127th in a 256 runner field at the NAIA national meet.

 

WOMEN FIELDS COMPLETE TEAM, HAS SOLID RACE: For the first time in over a month, the Lady ‘Yotes had enough healthy runners to have a team score – finishing fifth in the eight team Cascade Conference (defeated Western Baptist, Evergreen, and Warner Pacific), and eighth in the 11-team NAIA Region I.  Sophomore Natalie Hatch (Emmett, Idaho / Willamette Univ.) improved by 13 seconds from her race at Lent’s Park from three weeks earlier – good enough for a 23rd-place finish in the CCC race.

 

THE NATIONAL MEET: A week from Saturday, the three Coyotes will be among 512 runners taking part in the NAIA Championships, at Tom Sawyer State Park in Louisville, Ky.  A total of 13 teams on both the men’s and women’s side received automatic berths by winning their respective regional meets, while 15 men’s and 15 women’s teams received at-large spots, due to national rankings. 

 

ABOUT CROSS COUNTRY: Cross country is a bit different than most sports – similar to golf, where the lowest score is the best.  Teams compete in races, with the top-five times on a squad counting toward a team score.  The place a runner finishes in the race equals that many points (third-place is three points, 12th is 12 points), with the team with the fewest points (the squad with the highest finishers) winning the team event.

 

MORE INFORMATION: Updated information on the 2004 cross country team, including meet-by-meet results and top times can be found on the Albertson cross country official website at www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/xc.htm. 

 

VOLLEYBALL (18-7): Albertson off to CCC Tournament after completing home schedule a perfect 11-0

 

LAST WEEK: vs. Oregon Tech (W 3-0); vs. No. 21 Southern Oregon (W 3-0)

 

COMING UP: at Cascade Conference Tournament, Ashland, Ore. – vs. Oregon Tech, Friday, 11 a.m. (loser out); with win vs. Northwest, Friday, 4 p.m.; Championship Round, Saturday, 4 and 7 p.m.

 

LADY ‘YOTES COMPLETE HOME SEASON UNBEATEN: With a sweep of Oregon Tech and Southern Oregon over the weekend, the Coyote volleyball team completed their first-ever undefeated home season, finishing with a 11-0 record. The previous record had been a 9-0 start during the 1999 season – before the ‘Yotes lost a match.  Albertson has now won 15 consecutive games in the J.A. Albertson Activities Center – which is another school record.  Albertson has not lost on their home court since an October 25, 2003 loss to Concordia. 

 

WIN STREAK AT NINE: The Albertson volleyball team tied another record on Saturday night, as their victory over Southern extended their overall win streak to nine games.  The mark equals that of last year, when the Coyotes strung together nine straight wins from Sept. 20 to Oct. 11.

 

COYOTES STAY PAT IN REGIONAL POLL: Despite having won 13 of their last 14 matches, the Lady ‘Yotes can’t seem to move up in the NAIA Region I Top-10 poll.  This week, even with losses by all three teams above them, Albertson climbed remained at No. 4 in the weekly poll.  Carroll (No. 16 in NAIA) remains the No. 1 club – even with a loss to Montana Tech, followed by Southern Oregon (No. 22) – who lost to the ‘Yotes, Montana Tech – who lost to Rocky Mountain, and the ‘Yotes.  Northwest, Concordia, Oregon Tech, Western Baptist, Rocky Mountain, and Montana-Western round out the top-ten.

 

CHERRINGTON EARNS FIFTH WEEKLY HONOR: The top setter in the Cascade Conference chalked up another CCC and NAIA Region I Setter of the Week award after stellar performances in the sweep of OIT and Southern.  Erin Cherrington (Granby, Colo. / Middle Park HS)  had 40 assists in the win Friday night, to go along with six digs, then followed it up with 43 assists in the victory over the No. 22 Raiders.  For the season, the sophomore is on pace to break the single-season assists per game record, as she has averaged 12.61 assists in each of her 92 games played.  The current record is 12.29, set by Carly Merkel during the 2000 season.  Cherrington’s assist average also is tops in the CCC.  She previously won Setter of the Week honors on Sept. 5-11, Sept. 26-Oct. 2, Oct. 10-16, and Oct. 17-23.

 

MANN ALSO HONORED: Coyote libero Kahli Mann (Nampa, Idaho / Skyview HS) continued her outstanding season by earning her second CCC and NAIA Region I Libero of the Week award after a great passing weekend at home.  Mann recorded 14 digs in the OIT win, the followed it up with 25 digs against Southern Oregon – the most digs in a three-game match for a Lady ‘Yote this season.  The senior continues to be ahead of the pace to shatter the single-season record for digs per game (5.15) – well ahead of the mark of 4.40 set by Tara Daniel in 1997.  Mann has a shot to become the fourth Coyote to record 500 digs in a season – as she has 474 heading into the Cascade Conference Tournament.

 

ABOUT THE CONFERENCE TOURNAMENT: The six-team Cascade Conference Tournament will determine a berth to the NAIA Region I Tournament, set for next weekend in Ashland, Ore.  By virtue of winning the regular-season title, Southern Oregon earned the right to host both tournaments (originally the regional was to be held in Spokane, Wash. – but scheduling problems forced the regional to a campus site).  Two first-round, loser-out games open the tournament – followed by semifinals, a third-place game, and the championship.  Albertson has advanced to the CCC championship game on one occasion (last season, a five-game loss to Southern Oregon) and has not won a postseason championship.  Former CCC member Western Oregon has won six titles, Concordia has four titles, former member Northwest Nazarene has three, Southern Oregon two, and Western Baptist one CCC Tournament title – with the tournament dating back to 1988.

 

CONFERENCE TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE: Friday’s schedule has the two loser-out games beginning the tourney – No. 3 seeded Albertson  vs. No. 6 seed Oregon Tech at 11 a.m. and No. 4 seed Concordia vs. No. 5 seed Western Baptist at 1:30 p.m.  The Game 1 winner will meet No. 2 seed Northwest at 4 p.m. with the Game 2 winner playing No. 1 seed Southern Oregon at 7 p.m.  Saturday, the losers of the semifinal contests will play the third-place game at 4 p.m., with the championship game set for 7 p.m.

 

LOOKING AT THE TEAMS: No. 1 seed Southern Oregon have a 3-2 record since Oct. 23, including the three-game loss to Albertson on Saturday night.  The Raiders (20-6), who gave all 13 players court time in the loss to the ‘Yotes, are the defending champions – led by All-Conference candidate Kristin Ferris (3.82 k/g, 3.93 d/g).   Coach-of-the-year candidate Shaun Kupferberg has Northwest riding a seven-match win streak in what is already the school’s best volleyball season ever. The junior-laden Eagles (19-7) squad narrowly missed last year’s league tourney field, but advanced to the semifinal round in its inaugural appearance in 2002.  Northwest is led by hitter Lisa Langmade (3.47 k/g, 2.89 d/g).  Despite losing five of its last eight scrums, Concordia won a series of tiebreakers to earn the No. 4 draw and a first-round date with Western Baptist. The Cavs, who won four league regular-season and tournament titles between 1999 and 2002, feature the 1-2 punch of seniors Amanda Larsen (3.37 k/g, 2,48 d/g) and Melissa Rowe (3.71 k/g, 2.52 d/g).  Western Baptist, who are 0-5 this season in five-game matches, features MVP candidate Kim Turin (5.67 k/g) – and are the last team to defeat the Coyotes.  Rounding out the combatants is Oregon Tech, who tied for fourth-place with both CU and WBC but must settle for the No. 6 draw in the school’s sixth straight conference tournament appearance. The balanced and dangerous Owl attack led by sophomore setter Megan Albertson (9.56 a/g, 2.28 d/g).

REVIEW OF WEEKEND WINS: Albertson College extended their home winning streak to 14 games with a straight set victory, 30-21, 30-28, 30-25 over Oregon Tech on Friday night.  Ashlea Thornton (Glendora, Calif. / Cal Baptist) continued her stellar play for the 'Yotes - with a match highs of 13 kills and 15 digs.  Setter Erin Cherrington had 40 assists, with Fran Hartman (Lakeview, Ore. / Lakeview HS) adding 11 kills and three aces, while Kahli Mann picked up 14 digs.  One night later, the Coyotes put a cap on a banner volleyball regular-season, completing the perfect campaign in the J.A. Albertson Activities Center with a 30-27, 30-16, 30-21 upset over No. 21 Southern Oregon.  Albertson broke a 24-24 tie in Game 1, using back-to-back Southern hitting errors and a Hartman ace to get control, with Katie Hogue (Sparks, Nev. / Reed HS) spiking home the game-winner.  The Coyotes jumped out to an 18-7 lead in Game 2 and were never threatened, as Hartman had five of her 11 kills in the set.  Albertson used a 10-1 push midway through Game 3, thanks to 11 Raider errors in the set, to complete the sweep.  Thornton had 12 kills, ten digs, and four blocks, with the freshman Hogue adding eight kills and seven blocks.  Cherrington recorded 43 assists, while Mann had 25 digs.  The win was the Coyotes first against a nationally ranked opponent this season - and just their fourth win versus a ranked team in the past three seasons.

 

MORE INFORMATION: Updated information and statistics on the 2004 volleyball team can be found on the Albertson volleyball official website at www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/vball.htm.  Up-to-date Cascade Conference standings can be found online at www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/vball/stats/standings.htm.

 

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL (0-2): Coyotes swept in Montana, full slate of action this week – beginning with Boise State

 

LAST WEEK: at Carroll College Classic, Helena, Mont. – vs. No. 16 Carroll (L 89-50); vs. Montana State-Northern (L 64-50).

 

COMING UP: at Boise State (exhibition), Tuesday, 7 p.m.; at Westminster Invitational, Salt Lake City – vs. Montana-Western, Thursday, 6 p.m.; vs. Westminster, Friday, 8 p.m.; vs. Great Falls, Saturday, 4 p.m.

 

RADIO AND INTERNET: All nine women’s CCC road games will be broadcast live this season on 1490 KCID-AM with Mike Safford Jr. calling the action.  In addition, all home games (along with the nine CCC road tilts) will be broadcast live on the internet, courtesy of the Albertson Athetic Website.

 

TOUGH TIME IN MONTANA: It is never easy to try and play a day after a nine-hour bus ride.  The Albertson College women’s basketball team traveled to Helena, Mont. for the Carroll College Classic and played tough for two halves and struggled for two halves in losses to host Carroll and Montana State-Northern.  Against Carroll, the ‘Yotes trailed just 36-33 late in the first half, but watch the No. 16 ranked Saints score the final 11 points of the half to take a 14-point lead.  After Albertson cut the lead to ten early in the second half, Carroll used a 21-2 surge to put the game away.  On Saturday, the Lady ‘Yotes shot 13-of-14 from the foul line to stay close, but a 1-for-11 performance from outside the arc hurt their chances. 

 

TROUBLE IN THE BIG SKY: Recent trips to Montana have not been kind to Albertson, recording a 1-7 record in Big Sky country since 2000.

 

HOOTER HAS SOLID WEEKEND: A bright spot for the Lady ‘Yotes was the play of senior post Kasey Hooter (Nampa, Idaho / Walla Walla CC), who recorded a double-double in both games.  The honorable mention All-Conference player recorded 19 points and 11 rebounds in the 89-50 loss to Carroll, then followed it up with 12 points and 11 rebounds against MSU-Northern.  Last season, Hooter recorded four double-doubles and ten double-figure rebound games.

 

GRIBBLE HAS HOT NIGHT VS. CARROLL: In two seasons, junior point-guard Angie Gribble (Boise, Idaho / Bishop Kelly HS) scored 13 points in 17 games played.  On Friday night in her first collegiate start, Gribble hit 6-of-9 shots from the floor – contributing 16 points in the loss to Carroll.  In the two games this weekend, the two-sport athlete (Gribble also plays softball) never left the court, logging 80 minutes.

 

STRUNK HAS CAREER EVENING VS. NORTHERN: Saturday night was a banner evening for Kim Strunk (Twin Falls, Idaho / Twin Falls HS), as the junior scored a career-high 18 points in the 64-50 loss to Montana State-Northern.  Strunk nearly had a perfect night – going 5-of-6 from the floor, and converting 8-of-9 free throws, to go along with five rebounds.  Her previous career-high was 16 points at Walla Walla in 2002.

 

MURRAY FINALLY MAKES AN APPEARANCE: In what had to be an eternity for her, senior guard Melissa Murray (Eugene, Ore. / SW Oregon CC) made her Lady ‘Yote debut.  Murray, who redshirted the 2002-03 season, the missed the entire 2003-04 season with a knee injury, logged 23 minutes of action in the two games, scoring three points and recording two assists.

 

COYOTES TO DEEM ONE GAME AN EXHIBITION: Thanks to a new NAIA guideline that allows men’s and women’s basketball teams a chance to designate one game per season as an exhibition, the Lady ‘Yotes will take advantage of the rule to have one of their 32 games be a non-counter.  The Albertson-Boise State meeting on Tuesday in the newly named Taco Bell Area will be an exhibition contest for both schools – with the score and statistics not counting towards any regular-season ledgers.

 

TRYING TO JUMP ON THE BANDWAGON: Last Friday, the Albertson men’s basketball team scored a major upset by defeating Boise State.  It’s now the women’s turn, as the Lady ‘Yotes head to the City of Trees for a match-up with the NCAA Division I Broncos (9-20 in 2003-04).  Boise State looks to continue their improvement under third-year head coach Jen Warden, has leading scorer Jaime Hawkins (11.3 ppg, 5.6 rpg) returns.  BSU was picked seventh out of ten teams in the Western Athletic Conference preseason poll.  Last season, Albertson gave the Broncos a scare, trailing just 22-15 at halftime of a 69-39 Boise State victory.  The Lady ‘Yotes have lost both previous meetings with their neighbors.

 

TRIO OF GAMES IN SALT LAKE: Albertson makes their yearly trek south this weekend to Salt Lake City and the Westminster Invitational.  The Lady ‘Yotes open play on Thursday against Montana-Western, ranked No. 23 in the NAIA Division I preseason poll.  The Bulldogs (3-1) opened the season with a pair of wins over the University of Lethbridge, but split games in North Dakota against Mary (L 79-50) and Jamestown (W 58-49).  Western is led by 6-3 senior post Jill Feller (15.0 ppg, 8.5 rpg), an All-Frontier Conference selection.  It is the ninth meeting between the teams, with UMW leading the series, 6-2, including a 77-70 victory over Albertson last season.  The middle game of the tourney is against host Westminster – and their new head coach, J.D. Gustin.  The Griffins (1-1) opened their season with a 84-72 loss at Northwest University on Friday, then topped Evergreen 64-44 on Saturday.  Leading the Westminster charge will be Lindsay Huffman, a transfer from Brigham Young.  Albertson leads the all-time series, 3-2, but the Griffins took last season’s battle, 59-49.  Saturday, Albertson tangles with Great Falls, another member of the Frontier Confernece.  The Argonauts (5-4) have played seven games this season against Canadian schools – compiling a 5-2 record, with their other two losses to South Dakota Tech (L 84-66) and Black Hills State (L 70-56).  Kim Freeman (18.0 ppg) is the top scorer for UGF, which has dropped the previous five meetings with Albertson, including a 72-71 loss to the Lady ‘Yotes last season.  

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE LADY ‘YOTES: For up-to-date statistics, stories, and information about the Albertson women’s basketball team, head to the official website for the Lady ‘Yotes – www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/wmensbasketball.htm.  For updated scores and standings from the Cascade Conference women’s basketball season, head to www.collegeofidaho.edu/athlete/wbasketball/stats/standings.htm.