Jan. 22, 2005
Final Stats
Pocatello, ID -- Trailing by six with 2:36 left, Idaho State outscored Portland State 10-1 over the final 2:05 and then got a huge steal from Kyle Stevens with 5.3 left to end ISU's six-game losing streak and get their first win in Big Sky play with a 72-69 thriller over Portland State.
The Bengal comeback started with two free throws from Jeff Gardner, two of his career-high 14, to cut it to 68-64. After a Portland State turnover, one of their 31, Idaho State got a huge shot from Logan Kinghorn, who jumped up and hit a huge three-pointer, his only one of the game, to make it 68-67 with 1:43 left. Will Funn hit one of two free throws, and then the Bengals took the lead on a Kinghorn three-point play with 1:13 left.
After a missed Portland State shot, the Bengals turned it over with 21.6 left, but on the next possession, Kyle Stevens intercepted an entry pass from Will Funn, who had 10 assists but nine turnovers. Portland State fouled Doug D'Amore with 5.3 left, who hit both free throws, and Funn's three from the corner was short, giving ISU the win.
"We were fortunate to get two big defensive stops down at the end," said Oliver. "The kids deserved this one. To turn a team over as experienced as Portland State 31 times...the kids are doing a lot of things right."
Idaho State led at the half for the first time since December 31 against Great Falls. The first half really wasn't an indication of the choppy second half to come, as there were 35 fouls called in the second half, not counting a technical assessed to Heath Schroyer that halted Portland State's 16-4 second half run. All told, there were 51 turnovers, 52 fouls, and 70 free throws in the game.
Idaho State also got a huge lift off the bench from Slim Millien, who scored 17. Kinghorn led the Bengals with 22 and Gardner added 20. For the Vikings, Seamus Boxley showed why he is a Player of the Year candidate with 23 points on 6-of-7 shooting, but he also committed eight turnovers. Tyler Hollist added 12 points, all from behind the arc, and Blake Walker added 11. Idaho State, last in the league in rebounding margin, outrebounded Portland State by three 32-29, despite Portland State ridiculous shooting, as the Vikings shot .619 in the second half and 55.2 overall, their ninth time in 10 games topping .500 from the field.
The win ended Idaho State's season long six-game skid, and pushed their record to 7-11 overall and 1-5 in the Big Sky. The Bengals step out of conference on Tuesday to play at Utah Valley State on Tuesday night at 7:05 pm in Orem. The Bengals are 6-6 in non-conference play.
Notes: Idaho State had just seven assists ... Kinghorn again led the Bengals in rebounding, this time with a career-high eight ... Kinghorn did commit a season-high nine turnovers ... Portland State registered eight blocked shots ... Idaho State was 14-of-24 from the line before hitting 14 of their final 15
