FARMINGTON, Utah –Junior guard Gina Marxen, and sophomore guard/post Beyonce Bea have been named to the 2020-21 Big Sky Preseason All-Conference Team, as announced by the league office on Tuesday.


"I think it is great and well deserved for the years they had last season," said Head Coach Jon Newlee. "You still have to live up to it. It's all talk right now so they have a lot to go out and prove on the floor, but I think they are both up for that challenge."
 
Marxen is no stranger to recognition. The junior was named the Big Sky Freshman of the Year two years ago, earned preseason All-Conference honors last year and was named to the Big Sky All-Conference First Team in March.

She led the Vandals in scoring with 13.3 points per game last year to go along with a team-high 4.4 assists per game.
 
Marxen scored a season-high 30 points in a double-overtime win over Seattle U early in the season. The Sammamish, Washington native made a career-high seven three-pointers in the win.

Three-point shooting was a big part of Marxen's game last season as she led the Vandals from beyond-the-arc with 89 made three-pointers. She led the Big Sky in this category while also leading in three-pointers made per game with 2.8.

Marxen is eighth all-time in Idaho Women's Basketball history with 154 made three-pointers in her career.

"She certainly puts in the work," said Newlee. "She's earned Freshman of the year, First Team All-League last year and I think she's gained respect from the coaches in the league for what she has done so far. I still think there's a lot for her to do and she has a very high ceiling. The combination of her being able to score in different ways, but also be our best defender has really put her in a place where she's gained the respect."
 
Joining Marxen in preseason recognition is sophomore Beyonce Bea. Bea emerged for the Vandals throughout her debut season and finished as the third-leading scorer at 12.6 points per game. The Washougal, Washington native earned Big Sky All-Conference Third Team honors in March.

Bea's breakout performance came on Nov. 20 as Idaho downed Seattle U. She totaled 27 points and a team-high 12 rebounds. Bea forced overtime after draining a three-pointer with 21 seconds to play. She contributed nine points in the two ensuing overtime periods as the Vandals went on to win 90-84.

During her freshman campaign Bea scored in double-figures 22 times and recorded two double-doubles.

In addition to the Seattle game, Bea came up big for the Vandals with a 26-point game in a win over Montana State and a 30-point, 10-rebound game in a win over Sacramento State.

"She really had a great freshman year," said Newlee. "I expect a lot out of Beyonce. I think she is unbelievably talented for her size and the things she can do. I think she came back quicker and has gotten stronger. There's a lot of good left for Beyonce to accomplish at our program and in our league. The coaches understand that, see the kind of year she had and potentially what she could do in the future."


Marxen, Bea and the Vandals begin Big Sky Conference play on Dec. 3 against Sacramento State. Idaho's non-conference schedule is to be announced.
 
Ticket information will be available at a later date.

Stay up to date with Idaho Women's Basketball at GoVandals.com or on twitter @vandalswbb 

Head Coach Jon Newlee