Dec. 11, 2004
Final Stats
Pocatello, ID -- Idaho State's Doug D'Amore's last gasp three-pointer was short, and the Thunderbirds of Southern Utah escaped with an 82-79 win over the Bengals in overtime, the fourth overtime meeting in the last five between the two teams.
The teams traded points, and down two, ISU tied it at 77 with 1:01 left with Nicholas Rhodes scored the last of his 12 points on the block, but Southern Utah's Jason Baker nailed a three-pointer with 45 seconds left to make it 80-77. Baker hit five threes against ISU in both games, but only four in SUU's other five games total.
Doug D'Amore hit two free throws with 37.8 left to cut it to one, and after a missed free throw, D'Amore had a chance to give ISU the lead but he was called for a charge with 22.2 left. SUU added a late basket to precede D'Amore's final miss.
Idaho State was able to get the game into overtime despite being down five points with a minute to go. Jeff Gardner scored ISU's final five points, the first two with 44 seconds left on a layup, and then after a missed three, Kyle Stevens leaped out of bounds, saved the ball to D'Amore, who quickly dished it to Gardner, who hit a three from the left corner with 0.8 left to tie it at 69.
The Bengals lost despite leading in most statistical categories. ISU outrebounded SUU 43-32, and the went to the line 34 times to SUU's 16. However, Southern Utah hit 11 of 23 three-pointers to consistently keep ISU at bay. The Thunderbirds led by as many as 13 early in the second half.
The game was remarkably similar to the first meeting two weeks ago in Cedar City when ISU lost 71-70 in overtime. In that one, ISU was down six with under a minute to go but was able to tie the game, only to lose in the last 16 seconds of overtime in that one as well.
ISU had five in double-figures, led by Gardner's 19. Logan Kinghorn added 17 in his first career start, and Slim Millien had a double-double of 14 points and 10 rebounds. Nicholas Rhodes scored a career-high 12 and D'Amore added 11.
The Bengals will take on Eastern Illinois in Reno at the University of Nevada Tournament on Friday, December 17.
