Idaho State University’s women’s basketball team is set for a two-game road trip this week, beginning with a matchup against BYU on Thursday at the Marriott Center in Provo. The Bengals, currently holding a 5–3 record after splitting their first two games of December, will then travel to San Luis Obispo to face Cal Poly on Saturday at the Mott Athletics Center.
The Bengals have faced BYU 18 times historically, with BYU leading the series 15–3. In their most recent meeting on November 16, 2024, BYU secured a 77–68 win in Pocatello by capitalizing on offensive rebounds and a strong fourth quarter. Idaho State previously pushed BYU to overtime in Provo during the 2023 season.
Against Cal Poly, Idaho State leads the all-time series 4–1 and has won four straight matchups dating back to 1995. The teams last met more than two decades ago in January 2002, when Idaho State won 73–59 in Pocatello.
BYU enters Thursday’s game with a strong start to its season at 9–1 under first-year head coach Lee Cummard. Cummard has emphasized building confidence within the program and blending returning players with transfers from other schools. The Cougars average over 74 points per game and are among national leaders in three-point attempts, taking about 26 per contest. Delaney Gibb remains a key scoring option for BYU after setting freshman records last year and scoring 22 points against Idaho State in their previous meeting.
Cal Poly holds a record of 2–6 so far this season, with both wins coming at home. The Mustangs average just over 66 points per game while allowing slightly more than that defensively. Sophomore guard Vanessa McManus leads Cal Poly with an average of nearly 21 points per game and has posted high-scoring performances throughout the season. Freshman forward Charish Thompson is also contributing significantly with over 15 points per game.
For Idaho State, defensive play has been notable this season as they allow only 56.8 points per game and hold opponents to just over 36 percent shooting—both marks lead the Big Sky Conference. The Bengals are also averaging nearly eleven steals per game and maintain a positive rebounding margin through eight games played.
Tasia Jordan leads Idaho State’s offense with an average of almost sixteen points per game while Piper Carlson is shooting above fifty-three percent from the field and averaging eight rebounds each outing. Other contributors include Sophia Covello, who has scored at least eight points in five out of six appearances this year; Maeva Gauffrenet is shooting nearly forty percent from beyond the arc.
Senior Kacey Spink is approaching a career milestone as she enters the week second on Idaho State’s all-time steals list with 217—just eleven shy of breaking Greta Garver’s program record set between 1987 and 1991.
Following these two non-conference games, Idaho State will play one more time before starting Big Sky Conference competition later in December when they travel to Orem to face Utah Valley University.
