Happy Holidays, folks. Let's get right to it.
Here are three observations from Idaho State's 61-55 loss to the Eastern Washington Eagles Dec. 22 in Reed Gym (and let's broaden these observations to also cover Thursday's victory over Portland state, too).
1. Embracing the role of a favorite
By both themselves and their fans, the Bengals expect to win every game they play in the Big Sky. Especially after last season when ISU went 16-2 -- including the postseason tournament -- on its way to the Women's NCAA Championship.
But that was last year and since the Bengals steamrolled through the conference, their opponents -- the Grizzlies, the Bobcats, the Bears, the Eagles and so on -- have constantly schemed, planned and formulated ways to beat ISU.
Idaho State's Big Sky opponents arrive in Cheney on a mission. Not only do they want to win a conference game but they want to knock off the champs. They respect the program head coach Seton Sobolewski has built. As such, they find extra motivation to play with an edge.
After ISU loss to Eastern Washington Saturday, both Kaela Oakes and Ashleigh Vella mentioned how in their first two conference games, they've noticed teams have stepped on Reed Gym's floor with an added purpose.
When they hit big shots, force a turnover or win, like Eastern did, their celebrations have a little extra punch. It means something to beat the Bengals now.
And, hey, it's not like Sobolewski and the girls were caught off guard. They knew their backs had that proverbial target plastered on. But it's one thing to imagine how it'll feel to wear it and quite another to actually play with it during games.
As of now, ISU is 1-1 while donning the target. It's up them to adjust to its weight.
2. Kara Jenkins' stellar play against both the Vikings and Eagles
Against Portland State, in 36 minutes, Jenkins had six points, one rebound, two assists, one block and three steals.
Versus Eastern Washington, in 34 minutes, Jenkins finished with 10 points, two rebounds, one assist and two steals.
Not amazing numbers, I realize, but this is what Sobolewski has to say about her.
"One thing about Kara Jenkins, you won't understand the impact she makes on a basketball game by looking at a stat sheet. She's going to be the person that deflects a ball, that comes over and takes a big charge, that comes up with the big rebound, the one that dives on the floor and gets the ball back for us. The person that causes a jump ball and that gets the ball back for us. She just makes a real impact on the game on the defensive end.
Jenkins was great. She's a terror defensively and really consistent on offense, shooting a combined 5-9 from the field and 6-6 at the free throw line.
3. Time to keep things in perspective
I imagine one of things Sobolewski is thankful for this Christmas is a roster packed with five seniors and six juniors. The experience of that veteran group can keep an early-conference loss in perspective.
On a nightmarish afternoon, the Bengals shot 1-from-18 outside the arc. They caught a confident Eastern bunch that made 58 percent of its shots in the first half and had a reserve, Kylie Huerta, who had been averaging under four points a game, finish with a game-high 15 points. Hey, it's what's great about basketball. Make shots and you win. Idaho State didn't and Eastern did.
At this point, let's take an optimists' view of the situation.
Despite shooting a putrid 20 percent percent from the field, despite finishing the Eastern game with five more turnovers than assists, despite allowing 36 points in the first half and despite Ashleigh Vella's foul trouble -- she fouled out of the game with 5 minutes and 28 seconds left -- Idaho State mounted a comeback.
It's a testament to their rebounding -- 11 offensive rebounds in the second half -- their defense -- the Bengals forced 22 Eagle turnovers -- and their ability to reach the foul line -- ISU made seven more free throws than Eastern even attempted.
No comments:
Post a Comment