Dec. 28, 2004
Final Stats
Boise, ID -- Idaho State ended 14 years of frustration behind a stunning inside effort from Slim Millien, who scored a career-high 26 points and consistently beat Boise State down low, giving the Bengals a 64-59 win, their first over Boise State in Boise since 1990, a span of nine games. ISU also ended an eight-game losing streak to the Broncos.
The win also gives Idaho State a sweep of the Idaho school after their win over Idaho two weeks ago. The win was also the fourth straight in rivalry games dating back to ISU's sweep of Weber State last year.
The Bengals jumped out to a lightning fast 11-0 lead on the strength of seven quick points from Millien. The only thing that slowed him down was foul trouble, as he ended the game with four fouls.
Boise State chipped away and cut the lead to 30-24 at the half, and BSU took a 39-38 lead at the 15 minute mark of the second half, but Jeff Gardner and Doug D'Amore hit back-to-back threes to bump the lead back to eight. However, Coby Karl, the son of NBA Coaching legend George Karl led a parade for BSU to the line, keeping them in the game. The Broncos hit 16-of-20 free throws in the second half.
Nursing a one-point lead with under four to go, Nate Rede came off the bench to score five straight points and give the Bengals a 60-56 lead, but Karl nailed a three with 1:14 to go to cut it to 60-59.
Millien however put the final dagger down with a fade away 10-foot baseline shot with 55.5 left. Boise State missed three threes down the stretch, and Doug D'Amore iced it with two free throws with 3.0 left for the final margin.
Notes: Logan Kinghorn earned his second consecutive start ... Boise State attempted just one field goal on their first five possessions ... the game was the 100th in the history between the two teams ... Idaho State had no assists in the first half, but just five turnovers ... ISU forced a season-high 23 turnovers and grabbed a season-high 17 steals.
