Big Sky Conference newcomer Orlando Lightfoot of Idaho and Weber State's Al Hamilton are waging a two-man battle for the league's basketball individual scoring championship.
After the first three weeks of Big Sky action, Idaho's Lightfoot, a 6-7 sophomore transfer, is averaging 23.2 points per game to 20.8 for Hamilton.No other player is close, with Boise State's Tanoka Beard third at 18.5 points per game and Idaho State's Herman Smith fourth at 18.4.
Lightfoot also is second in three-point shots, 39; third in rebounding with 8.2 per game and is fourth in free throw percentage, hitting 78.3 percent for the season.
Otherwise, Big Sky individual honors are scattered between a number of players. Lightfoot's teammate, Deon Watson, and Art Menefee of Montana State are tied for the rebounding lead, averaging 8.8 each.
Kevin Soares of Nevada leads the Big Sky with 7.7 assists per game and has 604 for his career. He appears to be on track to break the Big Sky career record of 642 set by Weber's Mark Mattos in 1980. Soares also leads the league in steals with 43 in 15 games.
Erin Cowan of Idaho State has the best free throw percentage, 80.8, and Boise State's Billy Fikes leads in field goal percentage for the second straight season, 69.4 percent.
Montana, at 4-0 the Big Sky's only undefeated team, tops a number of team categories this week. The Grizzlies have the best defense, allowing under 61 points per game and have the best scoring margin overall, scoring 16.1 more points than opponents.
Montana, which has lost only to Southern Utah State in 16 games this year, also leads the Big Sky in shooting, hitting 50 percent from the field, and has allowed opponents to make under 39 per cent.