When: 7 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 2
What: Portland State (15-4, 5-1 BSC) at Montana State (8-10, 3-3 BSC)
Where: Worthington Arena in Bozeman, Mont.
On the air:
Probable starters:
Portland StateG Claire FaucherG Kelly MarchantF Delaney ConwayF Kelsey KahleC Kelli Valentine
Montana StateG Jenny HeringerG Rebecca MercerG Erica Perry F Nubia GarciaF Krislyn Wallace
Stars: The Bobcats have had their struggles this season. Senior guard Rebecca Mercer, last season’s Big Sky Conference Newcomer of the Year, leads Montana State. Averaging just under 17 points per game this season, Mercer is the catalyst for the Bobcats’ offense. Portland State will also look to stymie Krislyn Wallace, not allowing the senior forward to reach her averages of 12 points and seven rebounds per contest.
Just a taste: After playing in their biggest game thus far in the season at the University of Montana Thursday, the Vikings will continue their brief road trip against Montana State Saturday night. Worthington Arena can be a difficult venue for road teams, as the Bobcats’ home games average around 3,000 spectators. The matchup features the Big Sky’s most opportunistic squads, with both ranking at the top of the conference in steals and turnover margin. The Vikings will need to handle the ball efficiently and slow down the Bobcats’ inside-out duo of Mercer and Wallace, who are both among the Big Sky’s top ten in scoring.