Oct. 23, 2004
Box Score
Missoula, MT--After winning game one 30-20, Idaho State dropped the next three to fall 3-1 against Montana Friday night in Missoula, Montana. The Bengals continue Big Sky play Saturday night against Montana State in Billings.
With the loss, Idaho State falls to 9-13 overall, 5-3 in Big Sky play. Montana improves to 4-14 overall, 1-7 in league play.
The Bengals easily won game one 30-20 before dropping the next three, 20-30, 25-30, and 28-30.
"We just couldn't put it all together tonight," said ISU head coach Mike Welch. "We won game one very easily and then rested on our laurels for the rest of the night. Our players didn't respond to the play of Montana. After game one, we struggled to find any rhythm."
Nikki Randall led the Bengals with a double-double, tallying 15 kills and 10 digs. Felice Yocopis also recorded a double-double for the Bengals with 13 kills and 12 digs. Heather Kinnison added 11 kills. Martha Brinton also recorded a double-double with 35 assists and 10 digs.
As a team, Idaho State recorded five team blocks compared to Montana's nine. The Bengals totaled 64 kills and 68 digs, while Montana recorded 66 kills and 77 digs.
Claudia Houle led the Grizzlies with a game-high 23 kills and Alice Myers added 14 to help Montana to the win.
"We just weren't a championship team tonight," Welch said. "If we want to be a championship team, we must play mentally tough. I hope to see a tougher team out on the floor against Montana State. We have to go out and scrap and fight in every game of the match. Our team needs to show that kind of intensity Saturday night."
The Bengals continue play in Montana, traveling to Bozeman for a matchup with Montana State on Saturday night at 7 p.m.
