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Nevada Downs Colorado State 80-69 to Earn Fifth Consecutive Victory

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Nevada Downs Colorado State 80-69 to Earn Fifth Consecutive Victory

RENO, Nev. – Jarod Lucas and Will Baker scored 16 points apiece; Kenan Blackshear poured in 15 of his own; and, freshmen Nick Davidson and Darrion Williams chipped in 12 and 10 points, respectively, as the University of Nevada Men’s Basketball took down Colorado State 80-69, securing their fifth consecutive victory.

With the win, Nevada moved to 13-3 overall on the season, including perfect marks of 8-0 at home and 3-0 in Mountain West play. 

As a team, Nevada had their most efficient offensive outing of the season, finishing the game with outstanding clips of 57.8 percent shooting from the field, 35.0 percent shooting from three, and 91.3 percent at the free throw line. The 57.8 percent shooting from the field marked the Pack’s best field goal percentage in a game this season. 

Baker had another incredibly impactful outing on the offensive end of the court, scoring 16 points on a perfect 5-5 shooting from the field, 2-2 from behind the arc, and 4-4 at the free throw line. Baker also pulled down six rebounds in the contest.

Over Nevada’s past four games, Baker is now averaging 17.0 points per game on an astonishing 73.5 percent shooting from the field, 60 percent from behind the arc, and 94 percent from the free throw line, in addition to grabbing 6.0 boards per game. The 68 total points scored by Baker over the Pack’s past four games mark the most points scored over a four-game stretch throughout his career. 

Lucas had another sensational performance on offense for the Pack, scoring 16 points on 5-11 shooting from the field, 2-7 from behind the arc, and 4-5 at the free throw line, while also matching a career-high by dishing out four assists. Lucas has now scored in double figures in 15 of Nevada’s 16 games, including 14 straight contests. Lucas has also managed to knock down multiple 3-pointers in 14 of the Pack’s 16 games this year. 

Blackshear put up 15 points on 6-10 shooting from the field, 1-3 from three, and 2-2 at the free throw line, in addition to dishing out three assists and recording two steals. Blackshear has now scored in double figures in eight consecutive contests, and the senior guard has dished out at least three assists in 15 games this season.

Davidson had an exceptional first half, scoring 10 points on 3-4 shooting from the field. Davidson finished the contest with 12 points and three rebounds, while also achieving a plus/minus of +9 in 17 minutes of action.

Williams once again led the Pack in rebounding, pulling down a game-high seven boards in the contest to go along with 10 points, two assists, and two steals. 

Junior forward Tre Coleman also had a solid all-around performance, finishing the game with a sensational plus/minus of +18 in 35 minutes of gametime. 

First Half

The Pack opened up the contest on an 8-0 run over the first 2:13 of play, as Coleman and Blackshear each made layups in the paint, followed by two made free throws from Baker and another bucket in the lane from Blackshear. 

Colorado State used a quick 9-4 run over the next two minutes to trim the Pack’s lead to three, as Nevada held a 12-9 advantage with 15:26 left in the first half. 

The Rams outscored Nevada 14-11 over the next six minutes of gametime, evening the contest for the first time since the 19:47 mark, as the two squads were deadlocked at 25 apiece just over halfway through the first period.

The Pack regained the lead after a ferocious dunk from Coleman, giving Nevada a 27-25 lead. 

Colorado State took their first lead of the game after a made 3-pointer with 5:16 left in the first half. 30 seconds later, they extended their lead to 30-27; but, the Pack countered their attack by ripping off a 13-1 run over the final 4:43 of the half.

The run began with four consecutive made free throws by Davidson, followed by a Lucas 3-pointer from the half court logo. After Colorado State made a lone free throw, Lucas knocked down a tough mid-range jumper, and Coleman followed by knocking down two free throws. Davidson closed out the half by throwing down a two-handed dunk, as the Pack took a 40-31 advantage into halftime. 

Second Half

Colorado State came out strong to begin the second half, trimming the Pack’s lead to two points with just under 16 minutes to go. 

Nevada responded with a quick 7-0 run, as Davidson knocked down two free throws and Lucas hit a contested 3-pointer to push the lead back to seven, before Baker knocked down two free throws to give the Pack a 52-43 lead. 

The Rams refused to let Nevada create separation for long, as they managed to hit back-to-back 3-pointers, cutting the lead to three with 11:22 remaining in the game. 

Colorado State then proceeded to go on a 13-5 run, taking a five-point lead, their largest of the contest, with just 6:50 to go. 

Trailing late in the game, the Pack, just as they have done a multitude of times this season, showed exceptional poise and resilience down the stretch. 

Williams drilled a mid-range pullup jumper in the paint to cut the deficit to three, marking the beginning of an incredible run by Nevada to close out the game. 

After the Pack earned a stop on the other end of the court, sophomore guard Tyler Powell drained a clutch 3-pointer, tying the game at 64 apiece with 5:47 to go. 

Nevada forced the Rams into a turnover on their next possession, and Blackshear proceeded to stare down his defender and drill a contested 3-pointer over him, as Nevada retook the lead. 

After their third consecutive stop on defense, Williams blew by his defender and converted a tough and-one layup at the rim, marking a 10-0 run for Nevada over a two and a half minutes period. 

Colorado State cut the lead to three; but, that was as close as they would get, as Will Baker then hit back-to-back 3-pointers, extending Nevada’s lead to nine with 1:23 to play. 

The Pack went on to earn the 80-69 victory after closing out the game on a 21-5 run over the final 6:40. 

Notable Stats:

  • Nevada knocked down 21-23 shots at the free throw line throughout the game.
  • The Pack had five different players reach double figures in scoring in the contest.
  • Nevada outrebounded Colorado State, 29-21.
  • Nevada maintained the lead for 31 minutes and 20 seconds throughout the game.
  • The Pack shot an outstanding 60.9 percent from the field in the first half, marking the best shooting percentage by Nevada in a half this season.
  • Kenan Blackshear has scored at least 12 points in each of Nevada’s past seven games.
  • Nevada is 3-0 in Mountain West play for the first time since the 2019-20 season.
  • After scoring 16 points tonight, Jarod Lucas has now scored 277 points this season, the most in the Mountain West this year.

Up Next

The Pack will hit the road for their next two contests, beginning with a game against San Jose State this Saturday at 1pm.

NHL Morning Skate – Jan. 5, 2023

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NHL Morning Skate – Jan. 5, 2023

* Nico Hischier celebrated his birthday with a goal for the second time in his career as the Devils continued their success as the visitors in 2022-23 and improved to 14-2-1 on the road.

* Rookie defenseman Calen Addison accomplished a franchise-first as his Wild captured their 10th consecutive home victory against the Lightning.

* Alex Ovechkin eyes his 30th goal and a rare feat in NHL history when he leads his Capitals into Columbus to take on the Blue Jackets on ESPN.

HISCHIER CELEBRATES BIRTHDAY WITH GAME-WINNING GOAL
Birthday boy Nico Hischier (1-1—2) was one of five different goal scorers as well as one of five Devils players to record multiple points as New Jersey (24-11-3, 51 points) improved to 14-2-1 on the road this season – the second-most wins among all teams behind only Vegas (15-3-2).

* They have benefited as the visitor in 2022-23 in comparison to their 10-9-2 record at Prudential Center, which also features the club producing at a rate of 3.88 goals per game on the road versus a 3.00 mark at home. In fact, each of the top three teams in the Metropolitan Division have more victories away from their home rink (also CAR: 13 on road, 12 at home & NYR: 12 on road, 9 at home).



* Hischier, who also scored on his birthday in 2019, became the fourth player in Devils history to achieve the feat multiple times following Adam Henrique (1-0—1 on Feb. 6, 2017 & Feb. 6, 2016), Pavel Zacha (1-1—2 on April 6, 2021 & April 6, 2019) and Patrik Elias (1-0—1 on April 13, 2012 & April 13, 2008).

* Vitek Vanecek stopped 32 of 33 shots to improve to 14-5-2 through his first 25 appearances with New Jersey. Only two goaltenders in franchise history have recorded as many wins through their first 25 games with the club: Sean Burke (15-6-2) and Martin Brodeur (14-6-3).


ROOKIE ADDISON LIFTS WILD TO 10TH STRAIGHT HOME WIN VS. LIGHTNING
While Kirill Kaprizov (2-0—2) matched the longest home point streak in franchise history (10-15—25 in 14 GP since Nov. 13, 2022), rookie defenseman Calen Addison (1-2—3) factored on three of five Wild goals to propel Minnesota (22-13-2, 46 points) to their 10th consecutive win against the Lightning at Xcel Energy Center.

* Addison (2-16—18 in 36 GP), who ranks second in assists by rookies in 2022-23, potted his second career three-point game (also 0-3—3 on Oct. 17, 2022) and became the first rookie defenseman in Wild history with multiple such performances.



* Minnesota became the sixth team with an active home win streak of 10-plus regular-season games against a single opponent. The others: Philadelphia (17 GP vs. CHI), Pittsburgh (12 GP vs. CBJ & 10 GP vs. OTT), Washington (10 GP vs. WPG), Dallas (10 GP vs. DET) and NY Islanders (10 GP vs. BUF).
 

McTAVISH CLIMBS ROOKIE SCORING RACE IN #NHLSTATS: LIVE UPDATES
Mason McTavish (1-1—2) factored on both Ducks goals to climb the NHL’s rookie scoring race and earn a spotlight in the latest edition of #NHLStats: Live Updates. McTavish upped his season totals to 7-15—22 (39 GP), matching Arizona’s Matias Maccelli (3-19—22 in 30 GP) for the second-most points among all rookies behind only Seattle’s Matty Beniers (12-25—27 in 36 GP).



QUICK CLICKS

*Connor Bedard, Canada surge past U.S. in World Junior Championship semifinals

*Jack Eichel expected to return for Golden Knights against Penguins

* Max Pacioretty could make Hurricanes debut against Predators

*Cam Talbot reveals new Deadpool goalie mask, Ryan Reynolds responds

* 2023 Winter Classic most-watched regular-season game of all-time on cable

OVECHKIN AND CO. TAKE TO ESPN WITH ANOTHER NHL-FIRST IN HIS SIGHTS
Alex Ovechkin (28-19—47 in 40 GP) has multiple goals in each of his past two games and guides the Capitals (21-13-6, 48 points) into Columbus to take on Johnny Gaudreau (10-27—37 in 36 GP) and the Blue Jackets (11-23-2, 24 points). Another two goals Thursday would make Ovechkin the first player in NHL history with three consecutive multi-goal games at age 37 or older.




* Ovechkin, who currently sits tied for third in the 2022-23 Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy race, is two shy of reaching No. 30 this season. While his streak of consecutive 30-goal campaigns came to an end in 2019-20, reaching the mark this year would move the Capitals captain into a tie with Mike Gartner (17x) for the most 30-goal seasons by any player in their career.



McDAVID, MARNER TAKE ANOTHER SHOT AT MILESTONE MOMENTS
Despite each finding the score sheet in their previous outing, Connor McDavid (272-498—770 in 526 GP) and Mitchell Marner (152-346—498 in 465 GP) look to reach the 500-assist milestone and 500-point milestone, respectively, when the Oilers and Maple Leafs take to the ice.

* McDavid (25 years, 356 days) can join elite company should he have a milestone night at Rogers Place. While only a select few have reached the mark in fewer than 600 career games, only three have done so at 25 or younger: Wayne Gretzky (22 years, 325 days w/ EDM), Mario Lemieux (25 years, 129 days w/ PIT) and Bobby Orr (25 years, 345 days w/ BOS)

* Marner can become the second Maple Leafs skater in as many games to reach the 500-point milestone after teammate Auston Matthews (278-223—501 in 445 GP) did so against the Blues on Jan. 3. The pair would become just second set of active teammates to each attain the mark prior to their 475th career outing; Sidney Crosby (369 GP) and Evgeni Malkin (413 GP) are the only duo to do so to date.

HURRINCANES LOOK TO CONTINUE HOME SUCCESS, BRIND’AMOUR EYES 200TH WIN
After having their franchise-record 17-game point and 11-game win streaks snapped Tuesday, the Hurricanes (25-7-6, 56 points) will put their eight-game home winning streak on the line when they welcome the Predators (16-14-6, 38 points) to PNC Arena.

* Head coach Rod Brind’Amour, who enters Thursday one win shy of 200 in his career, is no stranger to lengthy home streaks with the Hurricanes after skating for the club during their nine-game home win streak in 2005-06 (5-5—10 in 9 GP) and 12-game run in 2008-09 (5-6—11 in 12 GP). He can become the sixth individual in NHL history to participate in a nine-plus game home winning streak as a player and head coach with the same franchise. The others: Cooney Weiland (w/ BOS), Rick Dudley (w/ BUF), Keith Magnuson (w/ CHI), Toe Blake (w/ MTL) and Gerry Cheevers (w/ BOS).

NBA Preview: Los Angeles Clippers (21-18) at Denver Nuggets (24-13)

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NBA Preview: Los Angeles Clippers (21-18) at Denver Nuggets (24-13)

When the Denver Nuggets acquired Aaron Gordon at the 2021 trade deadline, he was considered a vital piece for a run at the NBA title.

Soon after, Jamal Murray tore his left ACL and those hopes were dashed.

Nearly two years later, Murray is back, the bench has been bolstered with veterans and versatile players and Denver is looking like the team it thought it would be at the time of the trade. The Nuggets are atop the Western Conference at almost the halfway point of the season and will look to solidify that spot when they host the Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday night.

Los Angeles, which has dropped three straight, might be without stars Kawhi Leonard and Paul George in the first of back-to-back games — both on the road. Leonard is dealing with a non-COVID illness while George tweaked his right hamstring in Monday’s loss to Miami.

George missed seven games earlier this season with a similar injury but has not been ruled out for Thursday night’s game. He and Leonard are on the trip and are listed as questionable for the matchup with Denver.

The Clippers have had a tough time finding a rhythm this year because of injuries. They won seven of nine games before the current losing streak and have had Leonard and George healthy at the same time for less than half of the season.

The Nuggets can empathize with Lue after dealing with multiple injuries to key guys over the last two seasons. Murray, who sat out all of 2021-22 while recovering from his surgically repaired ACL, is still working his way back to full health. Coach Michael Malone will keep him out of games to manage his recovery and maximize his performance.

Despite all that, Denver is still in a great position for the second half of the season. The Nuggets have played 20 road games already and will play nine of their next 10 games at home, where they are 14-3.

They’ve also had bad games — a home loss to Detroit being one of those — but have survived missing Michael Porter Jr. for an extended period of time with a heel strain, as well as Nikola Jokic sitting for three games due to the league’s COVID-19 health and safety protocol.

What is encouraging to Malone is that he hasn’t seen his team tap its full potential yet.

The only player expected to miss Thursday’s game for Denver is Jeff Green, who is out with a fractured hand. His absence has given opportunities to others, including rookie Christian Braun. Braun’s minutes have been inconsistent, and Malone has said it has been a challenge finding floor time for him.

NBA Preview: Utah Jazz (19-21) at Houston Rockets (10-28)

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NBA Preview: Utah Jazz (19-21) at Houston Rockets (10-28)

For the first month of the season, the Utah Jazz were the surprise of the NBA, and even a stretch of eight losses in 10 games did little to diminish the spark with which they played.

But now Utah is in the midst of a five-game losing skid, with a cumulative margin of defeat of just 15 points. The Jazz took their second one-possession loss to the Sacramento Kings in five days on Tuesday, falling 117-115 when De’Aaron Fox converted a driving layup inside the final second.

The Jazz will open a three-game road trip on Thursday against the Houston Rockets, seeking to reclaim the positivity that characterized the opening weeks of their season.

Before Utah surrendered a game-winning 3-pointer in the waning moments to Kings guard Kevin Huerter to conclude a three-game road trip on Dec. 30, the Jazz lost 126-122 in San Antonio and 112-107 at Golden State. Miami followed with a buzzer-beating 3-pointer from Tyler Herro to squeeze out a 126-123 victory over Utah between the Huerter and Fox game-winners.

A succession of such disappointing losses could shake most any team, particularly one struggling to get back on track after opening the season with such promise. But credit the Jazz for recognizing that the close calls are an indication of progress.

Like the Jazz, the Rockets are slumping, too, but in a different fashion.

Houston has dropped 10 of 11 games with an average margin of defeat of 12.1 points. In a 119-108 road loss to the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday, the Rockets trailed wire to wire and fell into a 31-point hole in the second quarter after surrendering 45 points in the first period.

The Rockets, behind their reserves, closed within seven points late, but it was a futile rally.

NBA Preview: Boston Celtics (26-12) at Dallas Mavericks (22-16)

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NBA Preview: Boston Celtics (26-12) at Dallas Mavericks (22-16)

Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown called Thursday’s game against the Dallas Mavericks the “perfect time” to get back on track after back-to-back losses to begin a four-game road trip.

After allowing 123 points and then a season-high 150 in their last two games, the Celtics look to recover against reigning Western Conference Player of the Month Luka Doncic as a four-game road trip continues at Dallas.

It will be no easy feat with Dallas on a seven-game winning streak, trailing only Brooklyn’s 12-game run for the longest active streak in the NBA, heading into Wednesday’s play.

The Mavs have been off since a 111-106 victory Monday at Houston when they overcame an 18-point deficit in the third quarter as Doncic finished with 39 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists.

The winning streak is the Mavericks’ longest since their 2011 championship season, when current head coach Jason Kidd was the team’s point guard.

Dallas has defeated Houston three times during the streak, which dates back to Dec. 21.

Doncic is the first NBA player to record at least 225 points, 50 rebounds and 50 assists over a five-game stretch.

Additionally, Mavs center Christian Wood has averaged 20.9 points and 8.6 rebounds over his last 10 games. He has blocked at least two shots in all but one of those contests.

Even without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (illness), Oklahoma City became just the third team to score 150 points against the Celtics in franchise history, as Boston fell 150-117 on Tuesday.

That mindset is especially true when holding the NBA’s best record, which the Celtics still did on Wednesday despite losing consecutive games for the third time since the start of December.

On Tuesday, Brown scored a game-high 29 points and Jayson Tatum had 27, but the Celtics were no match as the Thunder had seven double-figure scorers, hit 20 3-pointers and shot 59.2 percent from the floor.

The Celtics will attempt to sweep the season series from Dallas, which was the No. 4 team in the West as of Wednesday.

Boston’s 125-112 home win over Dallas on Nov. 23 snapped a four-game skid in the head-to-head series. Including that streak, the Celtics are 8-5 over the last 13 meetings.

NBA Preview: Memphis Grizzlies (24-13) at Orlando Magic (14-24)

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NBA Preview: Memphis Grizzlies (24-13) at Orlando Magic (14-24)

The Memphis Grizzlies seek their fifth consecutive win and second in as many nights, playing the second leg of a road back-to-back on Thursday when they visit the Orlando Magic.

Memphis won its fourth straight contest on Wednesday, 131-107 over the Charlotte Hornets, behind a balanced scoring attack. Nine Grizzlies finished with at least eight points, paced by Ja Morant’s 23.

Desmond Bane added 19 points and 11 rebounds, Dillon Brooks scored 18 points, and Jaren Jackson Jr. finished with 17 points, eight rebounds and three blocked shots.

The Grizzlies faced minimal resistance from the struggling Hornets, leading almost the entire way and by as many as 37 points. Each win in Memphis’ winning streak has been by a double-digit-point margin, with Wednesday’s marking the most lopsided of the run.

It was also the ninth straight time the Grizzlies won by 11 points or more.

The Memphis defense has shined of late, holding each of its last four opponents – Toronto, New Orleans, Sacramento and Charlotte – to 108 points or fewer. The Grizzlies have limited opponents to 103.8 points per game over their 12 wins since the beginning of December.

Orlando, meanwhile, welcomes Memphis to town hoping to continue the positive momentum of its best offensive performance in four games rolling.

The Magic ended a three-game losing skid on Wednesday vs. Oklahoma City with a 126-115 win. Rookie standout Paolo Banchero played a strong, all-around game with 25 points, eight rebounds and seven assists.

Wendell Carter Jr. recorded his first double-double since returning from a month-long absence due to plantar fasciitis. Carter missed 18 of 19 games from Nov. 16 through Dec. 21 but, in his fourth game back, scored 13 points and grabbed 13 rebounds.

Carter missed the Magic’s 119-100 loss to Washington last Friday, serving a suspension for leaving the bench during an altercation with members of the Detroit Pistons on Dec. 28. He contributed to Orlando’s defensive effort against the Thunder.

The Magic held Oklahoma City to just 30 points in the paint, which Orlando coach Jamahl Mosley said in his postgame press conference is an area the team is “continuing to work on and will continue to improve.”

Carter’s return is one in a number of roster shake-ups for an Orlando team that dealt with a variety of absences previously in the season.

Markelle Fultz, who did not make his debut until Nov. 30, finished with 13 points, six rebounds and four assists against Oklahoma City. He was one of eight Magic players to score in double figures. Gary Harris — appearing in just his ninth game of the season – knocked down 3 of 5 from 3-point range en route to 18 points.

Orlando welcomes back more key contributors on Thursday with Franz Wagner returning from his suspension after the Detroit fracas. The Magic will remain without Moritz Wagner, who will serve the second game of his two-game suspension on Thursday.

WBB-D2: Seattle Pacific Falcons (8-4) at Western Oregon Wolves (7-4)

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WBB-D2: Seattle Pacific Falcons (8-4) at Western Oregon Wolves (7-4)

SEATTLE – They’re coming off one of their most successful weeks ever on their home
court. Now, the Seattle Pacific Falcons will try to keep it going on the road.
Having dealt Northwest Nazarene and Central Washington their first Great Northwest Athletic Conference women’s basketball defeats of the season, SPU begins a stretch of three
straight road games, with the first two set for this week. The Falcons (8-4, 3-1 GNAC) visit
Western Oregon on Thursday at 7:00 p.m. and Saint Martin’s on Saturday at 5:15 p.m.
Last Thursday, SPU put the defensive clamps on NNU, winning 58-45. On Saturday, the
defense came through again and the offense stepped to beat No. 22 Central, 70-63.

SCOUTING THE WESTERN OREGON WOLVES

All-time series: SPU leads, 47-5. Current series streak: SPU won 4. Last time:
SPU 61, WOU 59 OT (Feb. 21, 2022 at Monmouth). Last WOU series win:
WOU 60, SPU 53 (Feb. 28, 2019 at Monmouth).
Wolves in a nutshell: Western Oregon played its first eight games on the road while its
new homecourt was being finished and had a 4-0 start before dropping its first two GNAC
games. The Wolves got into the conference win column last Saturday, 77-68 at Saint Martin’s.
Junior 5-foot-9 guard Cali McClave is a go-to player for WOU, as she averages 16.1
points (No. 8 on the GNAC list) with five games in the 20s, topped by 28 at Northwest
Nazarene on Dec. 3. Princy Paaluhi-Caulk, a senior 5-3 guard, averages 11.2 points
and a team-high 6.6 rebounds. The Wolves have some quick hands, averaging 10.1 steals,
third-best in the GNAC, led by McClave’s 2.4, No. 3 in the conference.

WBB-D2: Henderson State Reddies (6-4) at Oklahoma Baptist Bison (8-2)

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WBB-D2: Henderson State Reddies (6-4) at Oklahoma Baptist Bison (8-2)

ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – Henderson State begins the new year with a road matchup in the Sooner State against current league leaders Oklahoma Baptist on Thursday, Jan. 5. The Reddies and Bison will tip off at 5:30 p.m. in the Noble Complex.
 
REDDIES REPORT
Last time out, Henderson State suffered its first conference defeat of the season at the hands of Harding, 83-65. The Lady Bison shot 47.7 percent from the field and converted 15-19 from the free-throw line, while the Reddies shot 38.5 percent from the floor and went 6-14 from the foul line.  
 
Ashley Farrar continues to be the focal point in the HSU offense after scoring a team-high 19 points against Harding. Abbie Jiles, facing her former school, posted 18 points and led the team with seven rebounds. The Searcy, Ark. native has already surpassed her season total of points from a year ago through the first ten contests with 147 points. Both Farrar and Jiles are averaging double-digit points a game and are tied as the team’s leading rebounders.   
 
HSU ranks in the top half of the GAC in scoring, averaging 70.5 points per game, which is fifth-best in the conference. The Reddies are led by sharpshooter Farrar, who leads the team and league in points per game (22.0). HSU boasts one of the best three-point attacks in the GAC, having made 82 this season and averaging 8.2 a game. Henderson State is shooting 33.3 percent from beyond the arc through ten games.
 
Henderson and Oklahoma Baptist meet for the 13th time this Thursday in the Noble Complex. The Reddies lead the all-time series 9-3 but fell to the Bison last time out. OKBU defeated HSU 79-68 in Shawnee, Okla., snapping a Henderson seven-game win streak over the Bison dating back to 2017. Current Reddies, Farrar and Sonni Martin, were the team’s top scorers that afternoon, with 23 and 12 points, respectively.  
 
SCOUTING OKLAHOMA BAPTIST
The Bison enter the game 8-2 off the back of a 74-71 road victory over East Central to improve to 4-0 in the GAC. After an early defeat to Northeastern State, Oklahoma Baptist has won seven straight contests.
 
OKBU does not give up many points, as they rank fourth in scoring defense in the GAC, giving up 61.5 points a game. The Bison have two strong defenders in, Jill Leslie and Erika Ankney. Leslie is second in the league in blocks averaging 1.7 per game with a total of 17 this season, while Ankney is averaging 2.3 steals a game for the Bison.
 
Ankney is Oklahoma Baptists most productive shooter, averaging 20.1 points a game, which is second best in the GAC behind HSU’s Farrar. As a team, the Bison are shooting 43.6 percent from the field and averaging 67.7 points per game.

WBB-FCS: Idaho Vandals (6-7) at Sacramento State Hornets (10-2)

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SACRAMENTO — After ringing in the New Year with a victory, the Sacramento State women’s basketball team carries a four-game winning streak into the weekend, welcoming Big Sky Conference rivals Idaho and Eastern Washington into The Nest. The Hornets and Vandals tip-off on Thursday (Jan. 5) at 7 p.m., while the Eagles fly in for a 2 p.m. matinee on Saturday (Jan. 7).

GAME #13

WHAT: Idaho (6-7, 2-0 Big Sky) at Sacramento State (10-2, 1-0 Big Sky)

WHEN: Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023

TIME: 7 p.m.

WHERE: Sacramento, Calif.

VENUE: The Nest

WATCH: ESPN+ (https://www.espn.com/watch/player/_/eventCalendarId/401473972?gameId=401473972)

LIVE STATS: HornetStats.com (https://statb.us/b/430465)

BUY TICKETS: HornetSports.com (https://hornetsports.com/sports/2022/10/21/2022-23-womens-basketball-single-game-tickets.aspx)

BE A FOLLOWER: Fans can keep up with the latest in Sacramento State athletics by following us on Facebook (/SacramentoStateAthletics), Twitter (@HornetSports), and Instagram (@sacstateathletics). You can also follow the Hornets’ women’s basketball program on all three platforms at the handle @SacStateWBB.

IN THE RANKINGS: For the first time since late in the 2013-14 campaign, Sacramento State stands among the top 25 in College Insider’s Mid-Major poll (https://collegeinsider.com/womens-mid-major-top-25), making its season debut at No. 24 after earning votes over the past five weeks — including a season-high 30 votes on Dec. 27. The Hornets have faced, or will face, four teams listed in this week’s poll this season in No. 19 UC Irvine, Eastern Washington, UC Santa Barbara, and Montana State — the latter three all among those receiving votes. During that 2013-14 season, the Hornets were ranked in the top 25 for eight consecutive weeks following an 8-1 start, reaching as high as No. 13 in early January.

NATABOU ON MID-MAJOR AWARD WATCH LIST: One season after showing she’s one of the best in the West, junior post Isnelle Natabou is garnering national attention heading into the 2022-23 campaign, named as one of 25 players to the watch list for the 2023 Becky Hammon Mid-Major Player of the Year Award presented by Her Hoop Stats on Oct. 19. The first Big Sky Conference student-athlete ever to be named to the list for this particular award, Natabou is joined by 24 of her peers on the initial watch list and is only one of four from the West Coast named to the list along with Gonzaga’s Brynna Maxwell, Portland’s Alex Fowler, and San Francisco’s Ioanna Kimili. For more details, read the complete release on HornetSports.com.

NATABOU NAMED TO BIG SKY’S PRESEASON TEAM: In addition to her national honor, Natabou was also named to the seven-member preseason all-conference team, joining Montana State’s Darian White (who was selected the MVP), Idaho’s Beyonce Bea, Montana’s Carmen Gfeller, Northern Colorado’s Hannah Simental, Montana State’s Kola Bad Bear, and Weber State’s Daryn Hickock. The native of the Czech Republic became only the third Hornet to earn preseason all-league honors in the process, joining former standouts Kennedy Nicholas (2019-20) and Brianna Burgos (2016-17).

BUT WAIT… THERE’S MORE!: The accolades continued to roll in for Natabou, who was also named the Big Sky’s Preseason Player of the Year according to ESPN.com, which made its picks for all 32 Division I conferences on Oct. 25.

WHAT IS THE “JOUEUR DE LA SEMAINE?”: It’s the player of the week. That’s sounds good, we’ll have that. Thanks to Kahlaijah Dean’s award on Dec. 27, a Hornet has now been named Big Sky Player of the Week four times in the last seven weeks (Isnelle Natabou took home honors on Nov. 29 and Dec. 13, while Dean won her first on Nov. 22) — the most of any school in the league this season. The four awards matches the team’s total from all of last year and marks the most since the 2013-14 squad had five players of the week.

ABOUT THE VANDALS: Idaho enters the week with a 6-7 overall record and a 2-0 mark in Big Sky play to stand as one of three unbeaten teams at the start of league… The Vandals swept past Montana State (W, 72-53) and Montana (W, 79-71) at home last week and have won four of their last five… Senior Beyonce Bea leads the league in scoring at 22.8 ppg and stands as one of three Idaho players in double figures along with Sydney Gandy (12.2 ppg) and Tiana Johnson (10.0 ppg)… Bea also paces Vandal regulars in rebounding (9.2 rpg) and blocked shots (19), while standing second in field goal (.488) and free throw percentage (.808).

SERIES NOTES: Idaho leads the all-time series with Sacramento State by a 16-5 count after the two programs split the regular season series last year, each team winning on its respective home floor… The Hornets’ 76-73 overtime win on Jan. 22 snapped a seven-game skid against the Vandals, who won in Moscow by a 73-68 score on Feb. 24… Four of Sacramento State’s five wins in the series have come at home.

HOME, SWEET HOME: Finally! We don’t have to pack a bag. When Sacramento State takes the floor against Idaho on Thursday, it will be the team’s first game at The Nest in nearly a month since a Dec. 10 victory against CSU Bakersfield. The Hornets have won their last three straight at home following a season-opening heartbreaker to UC Irvine, which was the last in a five-game losing skid at The Nest dating back to last year.

ROAD WARRIORS: The win at Portland State last week improved the Hornets to 7-1 in games played away from the friendly confines of The Nest and 5-1 in true road games this season. The five road wins are just two shy of last year’s total (7-7), which were the most since the 2015-16 team also won seven games away from home.

NOT IF, BUT WIN: Sacramento State earned its 10th triumph of the season with its victory at Portland State, moving to within four wins of last year’s overall total. The 10 wins in their first 12 games is the Hornets’ best since the 2013-14 squad opened 11-1 before suffering its second defeat of the year.

SKY’S THE LIMIT: A win Thursday against Idaho and the Hornets will start Big Sky play with a 2-0 record for the only the second time in program history and the first since the 2011-12 squad opened with wins over Northern Arizona and Weber State.

STOPPER: Last week’s win put an end to a couple of streaks for the Hornets, who won their Big Sky opener for the first time since a record-setting win against Portland State in 2016 (ending a six-game losing streak) and snapped a six-game skid in road conference openers dating back to a 69-65 win at Montana State in 2012.

NINE TIMES? NIIIIINE TIMES.: Wake up and smell the coffee, Hornet fans, it’s already a record-setting season and we’re only halfway done. Sacramento State clinched its ninth non-conference victory of the season on Dec. 21 at Cal State Fullerton, breaking a tie with the 2013-14 squad (8-2 in non-conference games) for the most in the history of the program. Of the Hornets’ 11 non-conference opponents, seven finished with winning records and were a combined 64-50 (.561) in non-conference play. That kind of start bodes well for the Hornets, who won 18 games in 2013-14 — ranking tied for the third on the school’s single-season list.

ONE IS THE LONLIEST NUMBER: But 60 is the winningest number for the Hornets. Thanks to its 65 points in the win at Portland State, Sacramento State improved to 10-0 this season when scoring 60-or-more points.

AHEAD OF THE GAME: The Hornets’ win at Portland State marked the third time this season — and the first since a win at Cal Poly on Nov. 25 — that they have gone wire-to-wire in a victory, never trailing in their 65-56 triumph. Sacramento State has not trailed by more than two points in each of its last four wins, with none of those deficits coming later than the second quarter.

FOLLOW OUR LEAD: Sacramento State’s 20-point halftime advantage at Portland State was it’s largest of the year as the Hornets have now led at the break 10 times in 12 games. The 20-point lead eclipsed the 18-point halftime advantage against UC Davis at the Golden 1 Center back on Nov. 22, and marked the eighth time that they have led by 10-or-more points at the break.

I SECOND THAT: Sacramento State was able to put some distance between itself and Portland State in the second quarter of its win, outscoring the Vikings by a 24-11 count while hitting 10-of-16 from the field. It was the highest-scoring second quarter of the year for the Hornets, surpassing the 22-point periods against UC Irvine and UC Santa Barbara earlier this season, while the 10 field goals were tied for the most in a quarter with the 10 makes against Fresno State in the first quarter. Of those 10 baskets, Sacramento State posted assists on nine of them, the most in any quarter this year (the Hornets had six against the Anteaters and Santa Clara) with a single-quarter season-high four of those from the hands of Dean.

SHE’S HEATING UP: Fresh off a Sacramento State career-high 28-point performance at Cal State Fullerton in the non-conference finale, Kahlaijah Dean’s hot streak continued into the start of Big Sky play as the senior narrowly missed out on her fifth 20-point performance of the season with 19 in the win at Portland State. Dean has now reached double figures in each of her last three games since being held to a season-low nine points against CSU Bakersfield, averaging 21.0 ppg, 4.7 rpg, and 4.3 apg, while shooting 40 percent from the floor and 86 percent from the line in that stretch.

THAT’S OFFENSIVE: And we mean that in a good way. Of Isnelle Natabou’s eight rebounds in the win at Portland State, six of those came on the offensive glass, upping her Big Sky-leading total to 48 offensive rebounds for the year (Idaho State’s Laura Bello is second with 35). It marked the sixth time in 12 games that Natabou has grabbed at least five offensive rebounds in a game and the fourth time she has had more offensive rebounds that defensive rebounds in a contest.

HERE’S A QUARTER: Of Dean’s 19 points against the Vikings, 11 of those came in the first quarter alone, marking the sixth time that the senior has posted double-digit points in a single quarter this season — including a 14-point third period at Santa Clara — and the third time she has gotten off to a strong start with a double-digit first quarter.

18 AND COUNTING: And the beat goes on. Natabou’s 17 points at Portland State gave her double-digit points in her last 18 games dating back to last season, averaging 16.9 ppg (287 total) in that stretch while shooting .681 (126-for-185) from the field.

FOUR!: One of the most consistent and reliable shot-makers in the nation, Natabou enters this week’s contests ranked No. 4 in the NCAA in field goal percentage, shooting .667 on the season to trail only Ohio State’s Taylor Thierry (.712), Indiana’s Mackenzie Holmes (.682), and Liberty’s Mya Berkman (.680).

I DOUBLE DOUBLE-DOUBLE DARE YOU: Keep on eye on your box scores. If Isnelle Natabou has a double-double, you may be in trouble. Thanks to her 15-point, 10-rebound effort in the win over Cal State Fullerton, Natabou collected her fifth double-double in her last seven games and her seventh of the season overall — ranking No. 14 in the NCAA in that category as of Jan. 3. In her seven double-double performances this year, the native of the Czech Republic is averaging 17.4 ppg, 13.3 rpg, and shooting 51-for-72 (.708) from the floor.

THE DEAN OF SCORING: Dean brings with her a pedigree of knowing where the basket is, reaching the 1,000 career point milestone as only a junior at Oakland University and finishing her four years with the Golden Grizzlies with 1,425 points. Following her first 12 performances in the green and gold, the Bakersfield, Calif., native has brought her total up to 1,650 career points, ranking No. 29 among active scorers across the country as of Jan. 3 and posting a total that would rank third on Sacramento State’s all-time scoring list, passing Maranne Johnson’s 1,627 points from 2014-18 and trailing Heidi Carroll’s second-place total of 1,733 from 1982-86.

LINE ‘EM UP… KNOCK ‘EM DOWN: A good part of Dean’s 28-point outburst against the Titans on Dec. 19 came from the line, where she finished the day a perfect 8-for-8 from the stripe in the win. The performance is tied for the 10th best single-game showing from the line by an individual in Sacramento State’s Division I history alongside 21 other such performances. The single-game record is held by Shelby Boudreaux, who was a flawless 14-of-14 from the line against Shippensburg on Jan. 5, 1996.

DEEP THOUGHTS: By Katie Peneueta. The Hornet sharpshooter has been torching the nets from beyond the arc in that stretch, hitting a combined 17-of-34 (.500) and shooting better than 43 percent during Sacramento State’s current win streak. Her six three’s in the win at CSUN on Dec. 17 tied her career high set at Northern Arizona on Feb. 3, 2022, and are tied for the third most by a Big Sky player in a single game this year — one of only six players in the league to hit at least six in a game.

THREE IS MORE THAN TWO: Trust us… Peneueta has certainly done the math. In 33 career games with the Hornets, the Vancouver, Wash., native has made a living from long distance, sinking 90 of her 95 career field goals from behind the three-point line. At the media timeout of the second quarter on Nov. 22 against UC Davis, Peneueta’s previous 30 makes from the field had all been three-pointers until she posted up and found room inside for a lay-up at the four-minute mark of the period — her first two-point basket since scoring inside at Northern Arizona with 21 seconds left in a 76-62 victory on Feb. 3 last year. Entering this week’s games, her last 23 consecutive makes have all been from three-point range.

NO SLEEP TILL…: No rest for the weary in the Hornets’ win at Portland State as Natabou became the latest to go all 40 minutes in a game this season — her third game this year playing all 40 minutes (or more) when you include the 43-minute performance in overtime against UC Santa Barbara and her 40 minutes against UTEP. It is the eighth time a Sacramento State player has played every minute, joining Benthe Versteeg’s 40-minute performance at Cal State Fullerton and Peneueta’s four games of 40 minutes or more (at Santa Clara, vs. UC Santa Barbara, vs. UTEP, at Cal State Fullerton).

MINUTE WOMEN: Speaking of minutes, there haven’t been many players in the Big Sky — let alone the entire country — who have seen more time on the court this year than the Hornets’ Natabou (36.2 mpg), Peneueta (35.7 mpg), and Dean (35.6). The trio ranks second, third, and fourth, respectively, in the league in minutes entering the week and rank among the top 40 in the nation at 22nd, 31st, and 32nd, respectively.

BOXING OUT AND CLOSING IN: Following a year in which she grabbed the fourth-most rebounds in a single Hornet season, Natabou has her sights set on both the school’s all-time and Division I top-10 lists for career rebounds during her second year in the green and gold. Entering the week with 453 boards to her name, Natabou stands 117 shy of the all-time top-10 (Linda Simmons is 10th with 570 from 1977-81) and only 76 back of the Division I list (Emily Christensen is 10th with 529 from 2007-12).

BLOCKING IT OUT: Boasting the Big Sky Conference’s second-best scoring defense at 58.1 ppg allowed, the Hornets have also done work on the glass, holding opponents to a league-best 29.7 rebounds per game. The 27 rebounds by Cal State Fullerton on Dec. 21 are the third fewest surrendered by Sacramento State this season (25 allowed to Cal Poly and Fresno State are the fewest), while the 29 rebounds by Portland State on New Year’s Eve marked the ninth time in 12 games — and the fourth straight — that the Hornets have allowed fewer than 30 rebounds in a game this season.

PASSING THE CRASH TEST: Another 14 rebounds in the win over CSU Bakersfield (Dec. 10) is nothing new for Natabou, who owns four of the top seven single-game rebounding performances in the Big Sky this season, along with her 20 against UC Irvine (more on that in a minute) and 14 more against both UC Davis and UTEP. Natabou ranks among the top 50 in the nation in three of the four major rebounding categories: rebounds per game (18th), offensive rebounds per game (14th), and total rebounds (45th).

ARE YOU BOARD?: Natabou clearly wasn’t in the Hornets’ opener against UC Irvine, as her 20 rebounds were the most since she had 22 against Idaho in an overtime win on Jan. 22 last year and was her third career game with 20-or-more. Nationally, the 20-rebound performance is tied for the 14th-highest in the NCAA for a single-game — and the most of any Big Sky player — as of Jan. 3, and stands as one of only twenty-six 20-rebound games in the NCAA entering the week.

THIS IS PERFECT! PERFECT, PERFECT, PERFECT!: They say that nobody’s perfect, but junior Isnelle Natabou was just that against Fresno State on Dec. 3, finishing 7-of-7 from the field and 2-of-2 from the free throw line en route to sharing team-high honors with 16 points in the win. The performance is the best of the season by a Hornet, surpassing teammate Kahlaijah Dean’s 5-for-5 against UTEP on Nov. 26, and is the best single-game showing in the program’s Division I history, topping Margaret Huntington’s 6-for-6 from the floor against Montana on Feb. 16, 2017.

MIND THE GAP: The 22-point margin of victory over Causeway rival UC Davis on Nov. 22 marked the largest against an NCAA Division I opponent in head coach Mark Campbell’s tenure at the helm of the Sacramento State program and was the largest since a 23-point win over Sonoma State on Nov. 16 of last year.

HORNETS GO GLOBAL WITH SIGNEES: Head Coach Mark Campbell racked up the frequent flier miles to sign four student-athletes during the recent NCAA signing period, welcoming post Paula Haw and guard Lina Falk from Germany, forward Summah Hanson from Australia, and guard Sofia Alonso from Spain.

CBB-FBS: USC Trojans (11-4) at UCLA Bruins (13-2)

NCAABB Editor
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CBB-FBS: USC Trojans (11-4) at UCLA Bruins (13-2)

The USC Trojans (11-4, 3-1) will face the UCLA Bruins (13-2, 4-0) at Pauley Pavilion in Westwood, Calif. on Jan. 5 at 6:30 p.m.  The game will air on ESPN  with Dave Pasch and Bill Walton calling the action. The game will also air on Westwood One Sports radio nationally with Spero Dedes and Doug Gottlieb on the call.  USC has started Pac-12 play at 3-1 for the fourth consecutive season.  USC had its season-best seven-game winning streak snapped at Washington State on Jan. 1.

USC’S STELLAR STRETCH — USC won a school-record 73 games over the last three seasons (22 in 2020, 25 in 2021 and 26 in 2022).  The previous school record for wins in three consecutive seasons was 71 (2016-18). The three consecutive seasons of 20+ wins also equals the school record for most consecutive 20-win seasons set from 2016-18.  

WINNING WAYS — USC’s 73 total wins the previous three seasons tied for the third most among all Power 6 basketball programs, trailing only the last two NCAA champions Kansas (83) and Baylor (81).  Also, USC’s 160 wins the previous seven seasons ranked 13th among all Power 6 conference teams.

ENFIELD LEADING THE WAY — USC head coach Andy Enfield is in his 10th season at USC and has compiled an 194-122 record. His wins total ranks fourth on USC’s all-time wins list, trailing only Sam Barry (260), Forrest Twogood (251) and Bob Boyd (216).  Including his two seasons as the head coach at FGCU (2012-13), Enfield has compiled a 235-150 record.

FACING No. 10/No. 8 UCLA —  The UCLA Bruins (13-2, 4-0) have won 10 consecutive games, including its 74-49 win at Washington on Jan. 1.  The Bruins are 8-0 at home this season, with seven of the wins by 20 or more points.  Forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. leads four Bruins in double figures with a 17.2 scoring average. USC is 114-145 all-time against UCLA (with 1 win vacated due to NCAA penalty, original record 115-145).  USC has won 5 of its last 7 games against UCLA.

COLORADO ON DECK —  USC’s next game will be against the Colorado Buffaloes (9-6, 1-3)  at the Galen Center on Jan. 12.  Colorado will host Oregon on Jan. 5 and Oregon State on Jan. 7 before traveling to Los Angeles.  The Buffaloes lost 80-76 at California on Dec. 31 which snapped a 5-game winning streak. Sophomore guard KJ Simpson leads Colorado in scoring with an 18.7 points per game average.  USC won 61-58 at Colorado last season in the only meeting between the two schools.  USC had lost the previous 7 meetings with Colorado and trails in the all-time series 8-16.

CAN WE SLIDE THE START TIME? — USC is 8-0 this season when the tip is set for 7 p.m. or later. With the 81-71 loss at WSU on Jan. 1, USC also fell to 0-3 in games that start before 2 p.m. this season.

A DECEMBER TO REMEMBER — USC went 6-0 in December this season and has won its last 12 games played in December.  USC went a combined 20-2 during the month of December the last four seasons.  

IT STARTS WITH DEFENSE — USC held California to 27.7 shooting on Nov. 30, the lowest by an opponent since holding Stanford to a 25.4 shooting percentage on March 3, 2021.  USC allowed Washington State to make a 2022-23 opponent high 49.1 percent of its shots on Jan. 1, but has held 9 of its 15 opponents this season to under 40 percent shooting.  USC is holding its opponents to a 38.2 shooting percentage this season, 21st in the country.  Over the last four seasons, USC’s defense has held the opposition to 38.7 FG percentage, 3rd in the country.

THE TOP STACK IN THE PAC — USC is tied for second in conference regular season wins among Pac-12 teams for the past six seasons (since the 2017-18 season).  USC is 63-35 and Arizona is 63-34, while UCLA is 64-33 in that stretch, through games of Jan. 2.  Next up would be Oregon at 60-34 and Colorado at 55-41.

USC’S ALL-YEAR BLOCK PARTY — USC has 85 blocks this season, led by Joshua Morgan’s 42 blocks.  USC is averaging 5.7 blocks per game, tied for 13th in the country.  Morgan’s 42 blocks this season rank tied for third in the country.  Morgan had 7 blocks vs. FGCU on Nov. 7 which tied him for fifth on USC’s all-time single game blocks list. He matched that total with 7 blocks at Cal on Nov. 30.  His 42 blocks this season are more than the Trojans’ leader in that category during the 2021-22 season (Isaiah Mobley – 29).  USC as a team has registered 556 blocks over the last four seasons which ranks 6th nationally.

PETERSON PROVIDING THE PASS — Guard Drew Peterson leads USC and is third among Pac-12 players with 79 assists, which ranks tied for 20th nationally.  Peterson is one of two players nationally (Jalen Pickett of Penn State) averaging at least 13.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game this season.  Peterson is averaging 14.0 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game.   

JEKYLL & HYDE FROM WAY OUTSIDE — USC made 9 three-pointers vs. Colorado State on Dec. 21 and has had four games with at least 9 three-pointers made this season.  In those four games, USC made 46.7 percent of its three-pointers (42-for-90), while making 25.1 percent of its three-pointers in the other 11 games (45-for-179).

ELLIS STARTING TO COOK AGAIN – Senior guard Boogie Ellis has averaged 21.5 points the last four games, scoring a career-best 28 points vs. Auburn on Dec. 18, scoring 19 vs. Colorado State on Dec. 21, 27 at Washington on Dec. 30 and 12 at WSU on Jan. 1.  He scored in double figures in USC’s first 7 games, then totaled 29 points in the next four games, before his current onslaught.  Ellis leads USC with a 16.1 scoring average and leads the team with 32 three-pointers made and 47 free throws made.  He is also second among Trojans with 23 steals.

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