POCATELLO, Idaho – Sophomore Kaela Oakes scored a game-high 18 points in Idaho State's 65-54 victory over New Mexico Highlands at Reed Gym on Friday night in an exhibition contest. Oakes scored 14 of her points in the first half alone. The exhibition contest was ISU's first of the year while the Cowgirls dropped to 1-1 in exhibition games.
“I thought Kaela Oakes did a great job. She battled and you even saw a little bit more of what she can do athletically. She jumped a few times for loose balls and rebounds. Kaela showed a lot of heart tonight and played really well,” said Head Coach Seton Sobolewski.
New Mexico Highlands took a seven point lead to open the first half, but the Bengals battled back with 10 straight points to capture a lead they never gave up. Idaho State held a three point lead, 39-36, at the break.
“It is a tune up in a way, but you always want to go out and win too,” said Head Coach Sobolewski about his approach towards an exhibition contest. “We tried to get really aggressive in the first half, deny and pressure the ball and we got in quick foul trouble which really hurt us in the first half. Highland has a couple of experience players who handled what we did really well and we got aggressive, and they got aggressive right back.”
In the second half Idaho State made significant adjustments. ISU shut down Briana Gholston who had scored nine points in the first half to just four in the second. Sophomore Ashleigh Vella and senior Andrea Blodgett each posted six points in the second half.
Idaho State will open its season officially on Friday, November 12 at 7:05 p.m. at Reed Gym. The last time ISU hosted a home opener was Boise State during the 2005-06 season.
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