Jan. 13, 2005
Final Stats
Sacramento, CA -- Idaho State fought a valiant fight, but Sacramento State used a superior effort on the glass to come away with a 61-59 win over Idaho State, making the Bengals the only winless team in Big Sky play.
The Bengals came out ice cold, falling behind 15-2 early, and eventually by 14 at 26-12 before ISU eventually clawed their way back to within five at the half at 30-25. The Bengals used a quick 10-point spurt in the second half to take their biggest lead at 45-43 as Doug Hardy and Jeff Gardner combined for all 10 points in the run. After the final tie at 49-49, Sacramento State went back on a pair of Jason Harris free throws. Nate Rede could only answer with one of his own and ISU never evened the game again.
The Bengals shot just 23-of-35 from the line in the game, and shot just .333 for the game on 16-for-48 shooting. Sacramento State outrebounded ISU 47-29 as well, including 20 offensive rebounds.
Idaho State had several chances to score from the line late, but ISU went just 3-for-7 from the line over the final five minutes. Sacramento State, up three with 1:11 to go, wound the clock down before Pugh hit a backbreaking 19 foot jumper with 59 seconds left to make it 57-52. Sacramento State hit their free throws down the stretch, and a three at the buzzer by Jeff Gardner gave ISU the final margin.
Jeff Gardner was the only Bengal in double-figures with 22 points. Idaho State continues their short two game road swing as they head to Northern Arizona, who picked up their first Big Sky win with an 86-71 win over Northern Arizona.
Notes: The Bengals dropped to 0-3 in the Big Sky for the first time since the 1999-2000 season ... Nate Rede earned his second straight start ... Jeff Gardner picked up five steals on the night ... of ISU's 29 rebounds, nine of them were team rebounds.
