Wolf Pack women set for home contest

The Wolf Pack women's basketball team seeks its third straight win today when Nevada hosts Idaho State at Lawlor Events Center.

Tip off is slated for 2 p.m.

Nevada is off to a 2-0 start after posting wins against Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and San Diego State University.

The Wolf Pack have four starters scoring in double figures. Dellena Criner leads Nevada with an 11.6-points per game average. Jessica Preslar is at 11.5, while Cherlanda Franklin and Traci Graham are each at 10.5.

"We have a lot of depth with this year's team," Nevada coach Kim Gervasoni said Friday. "We have several go-to players."

The Wolf Pack have also outrebouned their two opponents, averaging 48.5 boards per game. Preslar and Franklin are each hauling down 9.5 rebounds per game.

"Rebounding and defense are keeping us in the games," she said.

The fourth-year coach said her players are showing good intensity on the court and taking care of the ball better.

"We also have better decsion making," she said.

Gervasoni said Idaho State is a talented team that has been picked to place first in the Big Sky Conference.

Gervasoni said one of the Bengals' best players is Natalie Doma, a 6-foot-3 center who is strong with her rebounding and play at the post. Doma is also leading the Bengals with a 14-point per game average. Andrea Lightfoot is averaging nine points a game.

Gervasoni said Idaho State plays a good half-court game and shoots many 3-pointers.

"They like to attack the basket off the dribble," she added.

Joanna Hixson, a former prep star at Galena now playing at Idaho State, will not suit up Sunday. Gervasoni said she heard Hixson is being redshirted because of an injury.

The 5-11 forward was beginning her second and final season at Idaho State. She played 28 games for the Bengals last year and was named the Big Sky Defensive Player of the Year.

During her sophomore year at Galena, she led the Grizzlies to a state title.