Nov. 22, 2002
Box Score
Milwaukee, WI---Marquis Poole led the way with 18 points and Idaho State came back time and again, but couldn't stop the University of Texas-San Antonio, who defeated the Bengals 76-71 in overtime Friday night at the Blue and Gold Classic, held in the Bradley Center.
The Bengals (0-1) trailed most of the game to the Roadrunners (0-1), a 2002 NCAA Tournament participant. ISU got back into the game when they held the Roadrunners without a point for a four-and-a-half minute stretch midway through the second half to take a 51-49 lead.
The Roadrunners came back and retook control, keeping the lead at or near five points for most of the rest of the way. The comeback started at the 1:51 mark with ISU trailing 62-57. After cutting the lead to 62-59 the two teams failed to score until the 35 remained. That's when David Schroeder nailed a three-pointer on an assist from Danny Boticki to knot things at 62.
After a UTSA turnover the Bengals brought the ball back down the floor and Poole looked to make a layup with 3.7 seconds left, but was called for a travel, negating the basket. A desperation shot by UTSA at the buzzer didn't fall, sending the game into overtime.
UTSA again took control in the overtime, leading by four points midway through the extra period. Poole cut the lead to just two points with 1:45 left with a layup. After the Roadrunners extended the lead to five points with just 36 seconds left things looked grim. But Boticki hit a clutch trey with 26 seconds left to cut the lead to just two points at 71-69.
However, the Bengals failed to score on their next two possessions and the Roadrunners hit a pair of free throws to take a five-point lead with seven seconds left. Marquis Poole hit an uncontested layup with 1.6 seconds left to cut the lead to three, then the Roadrunners threw the inbounds pass away, giving the Bengals one last chance. However, Boticki stepped out of bounds on the inbound pass, ending the Bengals chances.
"It was a very intense ballgame for this early in the season," ISU Coach Doug Oliver said. "Our shooting woes just hurt us. You can't miss that many easy lay-ins and miss that many free throws and expect to win the ballgame."
"There were some good things that happened in the game. We did a nice job, went into a zone defense, and our defense was solid. Our hearts were in it, we just couldn't finish it. I feel badly, it was a tough loss. They're going to have to shake it off and get ready to go at it again tommorrow."
Poole led all scorers with 18 points, but it was another first year player who was the big surprise. Scott Henry made his Bengal debut a memorable one with 16 points, on 8-of-12 shooting, and 17 rebounds. Boticki was the only other Bengal in double figures in scoring with 13 points.
Four Roadrunners scored in double figures, led by Raymond Briggs, who had 16 points and 12 rebounds.
The Bengals will play the loser of the late game Friday night between Coppin State and Marquette on Saturday. The game time will be determined by the opponent. Marquette will play the late game regardless of the outcome of Friday night's game.
