Jan. 2, 2006
Box Score
Pocatello, ID--Despite a game-high 23 points from Chelsey Chambers and 22 more from Andrea Lightfoot, Idaho State dropped an 82-70 decision to South Dakota State Monday night at Reed Gym. The Bengals fall to 5-7 with the loss while SDSU improves to 8-6.
Trailing 71-53 with just seven minutes remaining in the game, Idaho State went on a 15-2 run to cut the SDSU lead to just five points, 73-68, with 4:18 left to play. The Jackrabbits countered the ISU attack with a 9-2 run of their own through the final four minutes of the game to secure the victory.
South Dakota State built a lead that it would never relinquish, going up 20-8 through the first 10 minutes of the game. The Jackrabbits then built upon that lead, taking a 44-28 lead into halftime.
"A lot like the Wyoming game last week, we fell behind early and had to play catch-up the entire game," said ISU head coach Jon Newlee. "We mixed up our starting lineup a little bit to try and give us a better start, but our defense still wasn't there. We've got to get tougher and more physical defensively."
Chambers recorded her third double-double of the season with 23 points and 12 rebounds. The senior forward connected on 8-of-17 shots from the field, including a 3-of-6 clip from long range. Chambers also collected one assists, one block and three steals in the effort.
"I thought Chelsey played a great game," Newlee said. "She played well on both ends of the floor tonight."
Lightfoot notched her fourth 20-plus point game of the season with 22. She also recorded a game-high seven assists with three rebounds. Jeni Boesel also tallied double figures with 11 points.
Idaho State and South Dakota State battled from long range with the Bengals connecting on 10-of-26 shots from beyond the arc to SDSU's 11-of-19 shooting from outside. The Jackrabbits shot 45.8 percent from the field compared to ISU's 39.4 percent.
Megan Vogel led SDSU with a team-high 22 points and 10 rebounds. Three others reached double-figure scoring.
ISU now travels south to Orem, Utah to face Utah Valley State on Jan. 5. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. The Bengals will return home for a Saturday matinee with North Dakota State at 2:05 p.m.
