Feb. 12, 2005
Final Stats
Pocatello, ID -- Sacramento State was on the right end of a buzzer beater this time. One game after losing on a layup at the buzzer, Sacramento State's Jason Harris scored on a layup that rolled around the rim twice before dropping in at the buzzer to give the Hornets a 99-97 win over Idaho State, striking a serious blow to ISU's playoff hopes.
Just two nights ago, Sacramento State was on the wrong end of a controversial buzzer beater scored by Weber State's Coric Riggs at the end of regulation, but this one had no controversy attached to, as the only question was whether or not it would fall in after rolling around twice.
The Bengals, who trailed 95-92 in overtime got four free throw from Slim Millien, the final two with 52.6 left for a 96-95 lead. Logan Kinghorn then hit the first but missed the second with 24.4 left to make it a two point game. DaShawn Freeman drove on Jeff Gardner and scored with 13.3 left to tie it at 97-97. The Bengals then inbounded the ball and it went to Kinghorn, who took an off-balance three that rebounded long to Jameel Pugh, who turned and fired it to Harris, who hit the winner.
While Kinghorn missed ISU's final shot, he stepped up with 12.8 left in regulation and hit a three-pointer to give the Bengals a 87-86 lead. After a pair of timeouts, Chris Lange was fouled with 2.5 left and went to the line, but only made one of two, sending it to overtime at 87.
The game was close throughout, featuring 16 lead changes and 19 ties. ISU, which led at the half and by as much as six in the second half, dropped to 3-8 in the Big Sky, tied with Northern Arizona for seventh place. The Bengals are now 1 1/2 games behind Weber State, who is 5-7 and has just two games left. ISU is still alive for the tournament, which takes the top six teams, if they win their final three games regardless of what other teams do. ISU's last three are all on the road starting Thursday at league-leader Portland State. The Bengals however are just 1-8 on the road this year, that win coming at Boise State back on December 28.
The loss marred a solid offensive effort by the Bengals, as they had six players in double-figures on senior night, led by Kinghorn's 21. Nate Rede scored 18, Arzelle Lewis and Slim Millien each had 13, and Doug D'Amore and Jesse Smith each had 10. ISU outrebounded Sacramento State 42-40. The Hornets had four in double-figures, and three with 20 points, led by Jameel Pugh, who scored 24. Harris added 21, Chris Lange had 20, and Alex Bausley chipped in 15.
Notes: The loss was the first for Idaho State this year when leading at the half ... the Bengals dropped to 0-4 in overtime this season, and 0-3 in overtime at home, their most home overtime losses in a season ever ... Idaho State started all five seniors on Senior Night ... ISU was just 1-for-7 in the overtime, that basket a reverse layup by Nate Rede with 3:29 left ... Idaho State finished the season 7-6 at home.
