Cougars face off with Idaho State in Saturday matinee

PROVO, Utah – BYU will take on the Idaho State Bengals in a Saturday afternoon matchup at the Marriott Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m. MT with the game broadcast live on the Big 12 Now on ESPN+. Fans can also tune in for live play-by-play with Jason Shepherd on BYU Radio 107.9 FM or BYU Radio.org/BYU Radio app.

Matchup Breakdown

The Cougars hold a 12-3 lead in the series over the Bengals and are 8-1 at the Marriott Center. BYU has won the previous four meetings including a 69-54 victory on March 20, 2013 in the first round of the WNIT when now assistant coach Morgan Bailey was a sophomore averaging 7.9 points per game for the Cougars.

 

BYU Cougars (8-2, 0-0 Big 12)

• BACK TO WINNING WAYS: With last Saturday’s win over Boise State, the Cougars became just the third team in the last decade to start the season at 8-2 or better. Their 8-2 start is the second-best record through 10 games for any BYU team since the 2021-22 squad that started the year 18-1.
• SHARING THE ROCK: The Cougars have assisted on 160 of 259 (.618) made field goals this season and have had at least three or more players score in double figures in eight of the first 10 contests. In the win over Boise State, the Cougars assisted on 19 of 24 (.792) made baskets.
• THREE-POINT MARKSMAN: Kailey Woolston has burst on the scene, being named the Big 12 Freshman of the Week twice (Nov. 20 & 27). Woolston is 2nd in the conference and 4th nationally in 3-point percentage at 58.8 percent, 2nd in the Big 12 in 3-point field goals made (30) and 3s per game (3.0), 19th and 26th nationally respectively. The freshman is also 7th in the Big 12 in field goal percentage and 33rd in the NCAA.
• FLOOR GENERAL: Whiting is averaging 11.2 points per game on 41.6 percent shooting, going 31.8 percent from downtown while grabbing 4.4 rebounds and dishing 3.5 assists. The highly-tabbed recruit set three career highs against Utah State last week; points (19), field goals (6), steals (3) and blocks (1).
• REBOUNDING QUEEN: Through ten games, Gustin leads the nation in total rebounds (155), rebounding average (15.5), defensive rebounds per game (11.3) and double-doubles (8). The senior is 137 rebounds away from breaking the all-time BYU rebounding record held by Tina Gunn.

Head Coach – Amber Whiting

• Alma Mater: BYU, 2001
• Division I Career Record: 24-19 (2^nd Season)
• Record at BYU:  24-19 (2^nd Season)

Idaho State Bengals (7-2, 0-0 Big Sky Conference)

• NEW-LOOK BENGALS: Coach Sobolewski added eight new players to his 2023-24 squad which also includes six returning players. There are no seniors on this year's team, so the four juniors have assumed the leadership roles. Sobolewski has built a diverse roster with international talent from Angola, Ireland, Croatia, Portugal and Greece.

• SPREADING THE LOVE: The Bengals have three players averaging 9.1 points or more through eight games. Laura Bello leads ISU with 10.3 points per contest with Maria Dias at 9.8 points and Tasia Jordan at 9.1.
• #1 KACEY SPINK: Spink is the Bengals leading rebounder at 9.4 rebounds per game but is doing so from the guard line. The sophomore who is also known as the “Tasmanian Devil” is a 5-8 guard who averages 7.1 points on 30.2 percent shooting and 86.4 percent from the charity stripe. She also is the leader in assists at 3.0 and steals with 2.0 per game. In the 54-50 win over the UVU, Spink recorded 14 rebounds, four coming on the offensive glass to lead the Bengals in outrebounding the Wolverines 45-32.
• NOT IN THE BENGALS' HOUSE: Against Utah Valley on Dec. 6, Idaho State recorded a season-high in blocks with five, each coming from a different player. Bello, Jordan, Spink, Dias and Alyse Aby each recorded a block against the Wolverines.
• ICE COLD FROM THE FIELD: The Wolverine defense kept them in the game against Idaho State last week as the Utah Valley defense held the Bengals without a field goal in the final ten minutes of play.

Head Coach – Seton Sobolewski

• Alma Mater: Northern Arizona, 2001
• Division I Career Record: 265-205 (16th Season)
• Record at Idaho State: 265-205 (16th Season)