Weber State University Athletics
'Cats Host 'Jacks in Key Big Sky Game
2/26/2008 7:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Weber State returns home for key game with NAU
Weber State returns home for the final two home games of the season this week beginning with Thursday's game against Northern Arizona that will start at 8:00 p.m. The Wildcats (11-14, 5-8) are coming off back-to-back losses at Montana and Montana State last week and enter this week tied with Northern Arizona (9-17, 5-8) for sixth in the Big Sky standings.
Big Sky standings update
The Montana Lady Griz beat Idaho State 76-54 Saturday night in a showdown of the top two teams in the Big Sky. With that victory Montana improved to 11-2 in Big Sky action and in control for the regular season title and the right to host the Big Sky Tournament. One Montana win and one loss by Idaho State and Portland State will clinch the right to host the tournament in Missoula. Portland State and Idaho State, who have both clinched berths into the tournament, are in second place at 9-4. Montana State is fourth at 8-5 and has also clinched a berth, followed by Northern Colorado at 6-6.As for Weber State, the Wildcats are tied for sixth with Northern Arizona at 5-8 with three games remaining. The Wildcats are still looking for a spot in the conference tournament, but can not finish higher than the fifth seed.
Janie Rayback ties season-high in loss at Montana State
Weber State junior Janie Rayback led Weber State in Saturday's loss at Montana State, one of four players in double figures for the Wildcats. The Afton, Wyoming native posted 15 points, tying her season-high, and was 5-6 from the field and 5-8 from the free throw line, along with pulling down six rebounds in the game. Rayback has started each of the last nine games for the Wildcats and is averaging 5.1 points per game and shooting 48 percent from the field.
Tashina Taylor posts first double-double of the season
WSU senior Tashina Taylor had one of her strongest games of the season in Saturday's loss in Bozeman. The senior from Bellingham, Washington finished with her first double-double of the season as she had 10 points and a season-high 12 rebounds against the Bobcats. Taylor was 4-9 from the field in the game and 2-3 from the free throw line, while playing just 22 minutes. It was the fifth career double-double for Taylor who has played in 102 career games at Weber State.
Wildcats still first in defense, last in offense
Once again Weber State remains first in the Big Sky in scoring defense, allowing 62.8 points per game. However, the Wildcats have given up an average of 74.3 points per game in the last three games. The ?Cats are 1-13 when giving up more than 60 points a game.
And the Wildcats also remain in last place in the conference in scoring offense at 60.0 points per game.
Wins versus losses
In Weber State's 11 wins this season the Wildcats are averaging 67.0 points per game and giving up 53..4. They are also shooting 40 percent from the field and holding their opponents to 33 percent shooting. Sara Tuomi is averaging 20.5 points per game in the 11 wins. However, in the 14 losses this season WSU is averaging 54.4 points and giving up 70.3 points per game. They are also shooting just 34 percent and allowing 43 percent shooting in the losses.
?Cats host Lumberjacks in key Big Sky game Thursday
Weber State will return home to the Dee Events center for a key Big Sky Conference game against Northern Arizona. The game will begin at a special time of 8:00 p.m., because of the Utah State 5A and 4A boys basketball tournament being held at the Dee Events Center. The will be broadcast live on KWCR 88.1 FM with Eric Knighton calling the action. Audio and live stats of the game are on weberstatesports.com and video is on bigskytv.org.
Thursday's game is WSU's 300th Big Sky game
Thursday's game with Northern Arizona will be the 300th Big Sky Conference game for Weber State, who has been a member of the Big Sky since the conference started playing women's basketball in the 1988-89 season. The Wildcats are 168-131 (.562) all-time in Big Sky games and Carla Taylor has been the coach of the Wildcats in all 300 Big Sky games.About Northern Arizona
Thursday the Wildcats host Northern Arizona who is tied with Weber State at 5-8 in Big Sky play. The ?Jacks are coming off a 77-62 win at Sacramento State Saturday and they have won two of their last three games. NAU started the Big Sky season 1-4 but since then are 4-4. They are just 1-9 on the road this year.
NAU ranks seventh in the Big Sky in scoring offense at 62.3 points per game and is 6th in defense at 70.5. They rank eighth in the conference in field goal percentage at .373 and last in three-point percentage (.296) and free throw percentage (.696). They are also eighth in rebounding and last in rebounding defense, allowing their opponents to average 41 rebounds per game. They do lead the league in blocks at 4.42 per game and are fourth in steals at 7.19.
The Lumberjacks are led by senior Laura Dinkins who is seventh in the Big Sky in scoring at 15.2 points per game and is fourth in rebounding at 8.0 a game. She is also sixth in steals at 1.58. Ashley Ingle is averaging 12.3 points and is third in rebounding at 8.5 per game. She is also first in the conference in blocks at 3.3 per game, which ranks sixth in the nation. Sade Cunningham is first in the league in assist/turnover ratio and second in assists.
Head coach Laurie Kelly
The Lumberjacks are coached by Laurie Kelly who is in her fifth season with NAU and ninth season as a head coach. She has led the ?Jacks to the Big Sky Championship game in each of the last two years, and to the NCAA Tournament in 2006. Kelly has a record of 5-6 against Weber State. WSU head coach Carla Taylor is 26-18 in her career against Northern Arizona.
All-time series
Weber State leads the all-time series 38-23 over Northern Arizona. However, the Lumberjacks have won five of the last six games played, including a 75-63 win in Flagstaff on January 26. In games in Ogden Weber State leads 21-7 all-time and the ?Cats have won five of the last six played at the DEC.
Earlier this season in FlagstaffNAU had four players in double figures led by Ashley Ingle with 22 points as they defeated the Wildcats 75-63 January 26 in Flagstaff. The ?Jacks shot 45 percent from the field, compared to 35 percent for the Wildcats and Weber State committed 22 turnovers in the game. The ?Cats were led by Tonya Schnibbe with 14 points and Sara Tuomi with 12 points.
Saturday is Senior Day with 12:00 p.m. start
This Saturday, March 1 Weber State will play its final home game of the 2007-08 season when the Wildcats host Sacramento State at the Dee Events Center. The game will be Senior Day for WSU's three seniors Sara Tuomi, Tashina Taylor, and Ahkiah Hunter. The game will also begin at a special time of 12:00 p.m.
