FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (Interstat) — A surging Idaho State squad looks to continue its climb in the Big Sky Conference standings when it visits struggling Northern Arizona in a women’s basketball matchup Thursday.

The Bengals (14-7, 6-2 Big Sky) enter the Walkup Skydome having won four of their last five, including a 69-57 victory over Portland State on Monday. Idaho State sits in a tie for second place in the conference.

Northern Arizona (7-16, 2-6) seeks to halt a four-game skid and replicate its early-January home success, which included an 80-68 win over Portland State and a 71-58 victory at Weber State. The Lumberjacks are tied for ninth in the 10-team league.

Idaho State guard Tasia Jordan, the conference’s leading scorer at 19.4 points per game, is coming off a career-high 30-point performance against Portland State. She averaged 24.5 points in two games last week. Jordan scored 18 points in the first meeting against Northern Arizona this season.

The Lumberjacks will counter with forward Madison Watts, who is averaging 15.3 points and 6.3 rebounds in conference play. Watts scored 20 points in a loss at Idaho last Saturday and had 20 points and nine rebounds in a narrow road loss at Montana on Jan. 19.

In the previous meeting on Jan. 10 in Pocatello, Idaho State held Northern Arizona to 29.1% shooting in a 59-46 victory. The Lumberjacks’ 46 points marked a season low.

Idaho State has dominated the recent series, winning eight of the last 10 matchups. Northern Arizona’s last win in Flagstaff came on Feb. 24, 2022.

Following this game, Idaho State travels to face first-place Northern Colorado on Saturday. Northern Arizona hosts Weber State that same day.