Dec. 30, 2002
Box Score
Pocatello, ID---Ashley Toner and Cristal Fernandez each scored 19 points to lead the way and Laraine Skow added her first career double-double as the Idaho State Bengals defeated Southern Utah, 83-75, in women's basketball action Monday night at Reed Gymnasium.
Toner, a senior from Burley, was double and triple teamed all night, but still hit on 7-of-17 shots from the field and 5-of-6 from the free throw line. She also pulled down six rebounds in 33 minutes of play. Fernandez came off the bench to make 5-of-11 shots, including two three-pointers and hit on 7-of-8 shots from the free throw line. She also added five rebounds and three assists in 28 minutes.
Skow, a junior from Weiser, scored 10 points, including a crucial lay-up off a rebound late in the game and added a career-high 11 rebounds. Freshman Halli Hickman continued her strong play this season by reaching double-figures in scoring for the second straight game with 13 points. She made her first three shots, giving her nine straight makes from the field over the last two games, before finally missing. She made 4-of-6 shots and pulled down six rebounds in 22 minutes.
As a team the Bengals had one of their best overall games of the season. They hit on 40.9 percent (27-66) of their shots from the field. They also made a season-high 26 free throws in 35 attempts (74.3%) and committed a season-low 14 turnovers. ISU also out-rebounded the taller Thunderbirds 46 to 36, including a 15 to 7 advantage on the offensive boards.
Southern Utah also had four players in double figures, led by Casey Cooke, who had 19 points. Lacey Yates and Cyrita Warner each had 14 points and Sarah Hutton had 12 points.
With the win ISU improves to 4-5 on the season, while Southern Utah drops its fourth straight game and is 5-5. The Bengals will return to action in Thursday when they travel to Denver, CO, to take on the University of Denver at 7:00 p.m. ISU's next home game will be on Tuesday, January 7 when they host nationally ranked Brigham Young at Reed Gymnasium at 7:05 p.m.
