Nov. 12, 2005
Box Score
Pocatello, ID--Natalie Doma scored 22 points and Jenna Brown added 12 points on four three-point field goals as Idaho State wrapped up exhibition play with a 93-64 win over Northwest Sports Saturday afternoon at Reed Gym.
Idaho State finishes exhibition play with a 2-0 record, while Northwest Sports ends its exhibition schedule at 2-7. Northwest Sports, playing their final game, played nine games in 12 days during the exhibition season.
"We definitely improved in the areas we wanted to since our last game," said ISU head coach Jon Newlee. "We blocked out better and our defensive intensity increased. I was really happy with the intensity we played with today."
Doma put in her 22 points on 9-of-15 shots from the field, including a perfect 4-of-4 from the charity stripe. Brown, who connected on four-straight threes to open the game, connected on 4-of-7 shots from the field for her 12 points. The freshman guard also recorded six rebounds and six assists.
"Jenna (Brown) is our smallest player, but is also our toughest player," Newlee said. "She brings so much energy to our team, and our players feed off it. Her threes helped us jump on Northwest Sports right out of the gate."
Jeni Boesel and Danica Boyce each notched 10 points, while Chelsey Chambers added nine points with a team-high eight rebounds. Andrea Lightfoot led the Bengal offense with seven assists. Lightfoot also recorded eight points and four rebounds.
As a team, Idaho State connected on 51.4 percent of its shots from the field, 45 percent from beyond the arc. The team was a perfect 10-of-10 from the free throw line. The Bengals held Northwest Sports to 34 percent shooting from the field, 28.6 percent from three.
"Everyone is already comfortable with the offense," Newlee said. "We have some very unselfish players, who want what's best for the team. I'm very happy with where our team is at right now."
ISU took a quick lead after Brown connected on four three-point field goals in the first five minutes of the game to help the team jump out to a 22-6 lead. Northwest Sports' Erin Gibbons connected on a three with 28 second left in the first half to help cut ISU's lead to 11, 49-38 at the half.
The Bengals allowed Northwest Sports just six points through the first 10 minutes of the second half to take a commanding 31-point lead, 75-44. ISU went ahead by as many as 34 points with just over five minutes remaining to secure the win.
Erin Gibbons, a Utah graduate, led Northwest Sports with 18 points.
Idaho State now looks forward to the official season opener against in-state rival Boise State on Nov. 18 at Reed Gym. Tip-off is set for 7:05 p.m.
