Big Sky Big Timer: Nubia Garcia

Congratulations this week to Montana State's Nubia Garcia, this week's Big Sky Big Timer. Garcia and the Bobcats went 2-0 last weekend, knocking off Weber State and Idaho State. Against Weber State, the 6-2 senior had her third double-double of the season, scoring 18 points and netting 13 rebounds. In the win over Idaho State, Garcia pulled down a career high 16 boards, 3 points, 5 assists, and a steal. The 16 rebound total is the second highest single game effort in the conference this season. The 3 points scored may seem low, but Garcia only took 4 shots, made one and was fouled on another. The Cats found it was much more effective to have the ball in the hands of a guard or their four, as the arc and penetration were wide open against the Bengals.

Last week was an amazing week for the native of Chihuahua, Mexico. In addition to leading her team to the 2 wins with incredible individual performances, Garcia was recognized for her classroom work as well. She is a photography major and was honored this quarter with her self-portrait appearing on the cover of the NCAA Champions magazine. (To see the online story, click here). Last week, Garcia's photography was exhibited at a NCAA exhibition in Washington DC. She has told me in numerous airplane seat-mate interviews that she would like to work as a photographer for a magazine like Sports Illustrated someday and I am confident that with her determination, it is a goal she will achieve.

Garcia now leads the Big Sky in rebounds (8.8 per game, 9.6 per game in conference play), is second in FG% (51.7%--she led the category until the ISU game), and is 7th in scoring (12.5 ppg). With numbers like those, an improving defensive game, and her leadership on her team, Garcia will definitely be in the Big Sky MVP discussion at the end of this season. In my humble and somewhat biased opinion, I think Garcia is the premier post in the conference. No other post has been able to put together the scoring (only Kahle scores more than Garcia among BSC posts), rebounding (Garcia is in a class of her own), and defense (Garcia is the only BSC player in the top ten in both steals and blocks). That sounds pretty premier to me.