MOSCOW, Idaho - University of Idaho women's basketball coach Mike Divilbiss announced the signing of Anna Bateman, a 5-7 point guard, from Snow Junior College at Ephraim, Utah.

"Anna knows how to win," Divilbiss said. "She led Snow to a great record in her two seasons there and is a very stable player out on the court."

The record Divilbiss referred to is SJC's 61-6 mark in Bateman's two years as a starter. She helped lead the team to two Region XVIII regular-season titles. She also stepped up her play in the postseason when she earned all-tournament honors last season.

"She understands the game of basketball really well," Divilbiss said. "She isn't a flashy player, but she doesn't turn the ball over. She just doesn't make mistakes."

Bateman averaged 12 points per game her freshman season and 13 per game last year. It was at the other end of the floor where she really made her mark. She was a two-time Region XVIII Defensive Player of the Year. She garnered second-team all-region honors in 2001.

"She is very solid player on both ends of the court," Divilbiss said. "She is a pure point guard and should blend in well with what we are trying to do here."

Bateman is an outstanding student as well. She earned Region XVIII Academic Co-Player of the Year honors twice. She intends on majoring in electrical engineering at UI.

Divilbiss, who was hired March 28, is excited about Batement's signing. A native of Rupert, Idaho, and graduate of Declo High School, Bateman is the first player to sign with Divilbiss.

"I'm proud of Anna as our first signee because she is a perfect fit for us," Divilbiss said. "She is a great student and she's an engineering major, so that fits really well. She also has good values - she's everything we want in a student-athlete."

Bateman joins Katie Gilbert (Anchorage, Alaska) and Keisha Moore (Riverside, Calif.) in the Vandals' recruiting class for 2001-02. Gilbert and Moore signed in the early period in November.

The late signing period continues until May 15.