Nov. 8, 2005
Box Score
Pocatello, ID--Danica Boyce scored a game-high 17 points and Natalie Doma just missed a double-double with 16 points and nine rebounds as Idaho State defeated Montana Tech 86-66 Tuesday night in an exhibition contest at Reed Gym.
"We moved the ball well and did a lot of good things tonight," said ISU head coach Jon Newlee. "We shot the ball extremely well and I was impressed with how comfortable everyone looked. You usually get a lot of nervous players in a first game, especially with so many young players, but everyone settled down quickly and played well."
Boyce, playing in her first collegiate game, scored her 17 points on 6-of-10 shots from the field, including a perfect 4-of-4 from the charity stripe. Doma recorded 16 points on 7-of-9 shooting.
ISU's backcourt was impressive as Jenna Brown and Andrea Lightfoot combined for 17 of ISU's 31 assists. The Bengals committed just 13 turnovers. Lightfoot added 12 points and five rebounds to her line, hitting on 4-of-7 shots from the field and 2-of-4 from beyond the arc.
"We have two very unselfish guards in Brown and Lightfoot," Newlee said. "The two will do what is best for the team. If they don't have a good look at the basket, they will find somebody who does. They are a threat because they are both excellent shooters as well."
Freshman forward Michelle Grohs was impressive in her first game with the Bengals, collecting 15 points on 7-of-11 shooting.
As a team, Idaho State shot 49 percent from the field and 35 percent from three-point range. The Bengals held Montana Tech to 35.5 percent from the field and 25 percent from beyond the arc. The Bengals were out-rebounded 45-34 by the Diggers.
"We have to get tougher," said Newlee. "We need to get more physical on the boards. Rebounding is something I knew we had to work on coming into this game, and we didn't produce. We will definitely have to work on it."
Marcie Alzheimer led Montana Tech with a 16-point, 10-rebound double-double effort.
Idaho State quickly built a lead and never relinquished it, taking a 49-33 lead into halftime. The second half was more of the same as ISU never let Montana Tech get within 12 points, building a 20-point lead twice to secure the victory.
Idaho State will continue exhibition play on Nov. 12 when the team hosts Northwest Sports, an exhibition team made up of former college players. Tip-off is set for 2:05 p.m. The Bengals officially open the season on Nov. 18 against in-state rival Boise State at Reed Gym.
