Jan. 7, 2006
Final Stats
Bozeman, MT --- Idaho State went cold during a critical stretch of the second half, going 1-for-16 from the field, and Montana State pulled away from a 45-45 halftime tie for an 84-72 win over the Bengals in Bozeman.
The Bengals just couldn't buy a basket for a 10 minute stretch in the second half, and MSU eventual pushed a slim 56-55 lead into a 14-point advantage. The Bengals pushed to cut the lead late, getting it down to eight, but MSU hit 8-for-8 free throws down the stretch to keep ISU at bay.
Idaho State struggled inside, with Slim Millien going just 4-for-14 on the night, although he did record his conference leading eighth double-double of the season. The Bengals also got a big game from Tim Henry, who scored a career-high tying 23 points, but it came on 7-of-21 shooting. David Schroeder added 17 for ISU, which dropped to 0-2 in the league and 7-6 overall.
The game was tied at the half at 45 when MSU hit back-to-back threes in the final minute. The Bengals committed just one turnover in the first half, and only seven overall, which kept them in it in the first, as MSU shot .607 for the half to ISU's .361 from the field.
Idaho State went particularly cold from outside in the second half, knocking down just two three-pointers in the second half, including missing their first 11.
NOTES: The Big Sky is definitely a home league, as the home teams won the first seven games in league play ... ISU made just seven of their final 25 shots ... the Bengals shot just five free throws in the second half ... Millien, who had 24 blocks in the previous four games, managed just one on the night.
