Feb. 19, 2005
Final Stats
Cheney, WA -- Idaho State University hit just two second half field goals and equalled the ISU record for fewest points in a game in the shot clock era as they suffered the seventh-worst defeat in school history after Eastern Washington handed it to the Bengals 77-35 in Cheney on EWU's senior night. The loss by Idaho State eliminated them from any shot at the Big Sky Conference Tournament.
The 42-point loss for Idaho State equalled the seventh-worst in school history, and it was the biggest margin of defeat since a 47-point loss (111-64) to Murray State early in the 1997-98 season. The 42-point margin was one point behind a 113-70 loss to the University of Idaho in 1989.
The Bengals led 2-0 early on a basket by Jeff Gardner, but Marc Axton hit a three, and Eastern Washington would never trail again. That Axton three jump-started an early 18-4 run that put the Bengals in a hole they would never climb out of.
Down 16 in the first half, the Bengals crawled back to within 11 at 30-19 on a Slim Millien dunk at the 5:20 mark, but Eastern scored the final six points of the half for a 36-17 lead, and Idaho State would miss their next 17 shots after the Millien dunk, not hitting a field goal until there was 7:28 left in the second half, a span of 17:52.
That field goal by Kyle Stevens was one of only two made field goals in the second half, as Doug Hardy scored the final basket with 4:55 to go as Idaho State shot just 10% in the second half. They fortunately made 12-of-18 free throws to account for 12 of their 16 second half points.
No Bengal scored in double-figures, as they were led by Doug Hardy's eight points. For Eastern Washington, Kenny Smith scored a game-high 26 points, Marc Axton chipped in 11, and Danny Pariseau added 10. Eastern Washington outrebounded ISU 38-21, and they held ISU to just two assists and 15 turnovers. The Eagles shot .531 from the field and set a school record with 15 three-pointers.
The loss marked the eighth straight Big Sky road loss in a row for Idaho State dating back to last year. Their last road conference win was an 81-75 win at Weber State, where they travel next Saturday to end their season. That game will be the third straight opposing senior night against Idaho State.
Notes: Next Saturday's game will be the final games for ISU's five seniors ... the last time ISU scored 45 points or less in four different games in one season was when they did it nine times in the 1948-49 season, which was two seasons before Reed Gymnasium opened ... Doug Hardy became the eighth different Bengal to lead the team in scoring for a game.
