Feb. 19, 2004
Stats
Pocatello, ID -- Scott Henry recorded a double-double and Marquis Poole had a 20-point night, but five Lumberjack scored in double-figures and NAU used 12-2 run midway in the second half to take an 85-72 win over Idaho State in a battle for sole possession of second place.
The loss puts Northern Arizona in second place at 6-5, four games behind Eastern Washington, which has clinched the league title outright and has earned the right to host the Big Sky Conference Tournament March 9 and 10. The Bengals are now in a four-way tie for third place at 5-6 with Portland State, Montana State, and the winner of the Weber State/Sacramento State game.
Idaho State never led in the game, tying it for the final time at 39-39 on a pair of Jesse Smith free throws with 33 seconds left. Paul Menyed answered with a pair of free throws with two seconds left for a 41-39 halftime advantage.
The 'Jack opened on an 11-2 run to take a 52-41 lead before ISU counted, eventually cutting the lead to five at the 14:52 mark. Down seven at 67-60 with 8:29 left NAU went on a 12-2 run, highlighted by a pair of Aaron Bond three-pointers, part of his game-high 21-point night. ISU never got within double-figures after that.
For the Bengals, Marquis Poole led with 20 points and eight assist, but he committed an uncharacteristic seven turnovers. Scott Henry added 16 points and 10 rebounds, and Jeff Gardner chipped in 14. The Bengals can vault back into a second place tie on Saturday as they travel to Sacramento State, while NAU host Weber State.
