Jan. 5, 2004
Stats
Pocatello, ID-- Six Utes scored in double figures as #25 Utah snuck out a win Monday evening over the Bengals 86-78 at Reed Gymnasium.
With a six point lead and eight minutes left in the game, Utah went on a 14-0 run to take a 77-67 lead with under three minutes to play in the contest. The Bengals battled back to get within eight at the 1:36 mark but couldn't hold on as the Utes claimed the victory.
"We just broke down defensively at the end of the game," head coach Jon Newlee said. "We stuck with one of the best teams in the nation. We had what it takes to get the win, but just couldn't pull it out."
The Bengals led the Utes 41-37 at the half after shooting a blistering 56 percent from the field. ISU also connected on 5-of-8 from beyond the arc in the first half. The Bengals then shot 39 percent from the floor in the second half compared to Utah's 51 percent. ISU shot just 2-of-9 from three-point land in the second half.
"We played good basketball tonight against a great team," Newlee said. "We had the potential to pull this one out, we just didn't finish the game like we started it."
Four Bengals reached double-figure scoring. Molly Hays landed a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds. Heidi Gifford and Laraine Barron each scored 15 and Camile Christensen added 13 points.
Utah's Shona Thorburn led the Utes with 18 points. Kim Smith recorded a double-double with 17 points and 13 rebounds. Carley Marshall and Julie Wood notched 11 points while Mandie Little and Kelsy Stireman each scored 10.
"This was a good game for us," Newlee said. "I told my team that this is the best team we will see for the rest of the season. Our team has great potential and it will be exciting to see where we go from here."
Idaho State takes its 7-4 record on the road to Utah Valley State Thursday. Tipp-off is slated for 7:05 p.m. The Bengals will then return home to open Big Sky Conference play Jan. 15 against Montana.
