Nov. 4, 2006
Final Stats
Pocatello, ID - Idaho State asserted itself well in the first game of the Joe O'Brien era, getting 58 points in the paint and winning 91-80 over Albertson College in an exhibition game at Reed Gym that was not as close as the final score indicated.
The Bengals took the game over early, blitzing the NAIA Coyotes with a 23-0 run in the first half, flipping a 17-11 Albertson lead into a 34-17 Bengal advantage. ISU eventually went up 42-25 at the break.
In the second half, ISU went to the post and John Ofoegbu, as he scored 13 of his team-high 17 points in the half, including several solid low post moves. The Bengals eventually pushed the lead to its largest margin at 76-48 on an Amorrow Morgan dunk, but Albertson hit a barrage of threes late to make a run at things.
The Coyotes launched an incredible 47 three-pointers (compared to only 24 two-pointers), and they hit 11 second half threes as they outscored ISU 55-49 in the second half.
The Bengals shot the lights out, hitting 60.3% for the game, including 64.5% in the second half. ISU was bothered by the smaller, pesky Coyotes as the Bengals suffered 30 turnovers for the game, leading to 31 Albertson points.
Head coach Joe O'Brien was happy with the win, but not thrilled with some of the final numbers. "I've been doing this a while and I value a lot of things, but 30 turnovers, that's like putting nails on a chalkboard," he said. "Some of those things, the lack of consistency, the turnovers, things like aren't good, but it is only November 4.
Turnover aside, O'Brien felt the last portion of the first half was the type of basketball he is looking for. "That last 12-14 minutes of the first half I was real pleased. We were shooting about 57% at the half, and holding them to 27% ... we had some consistently good solid numbers."
Along with Ofoegbu, Austin Kilpatrick had 15, including three threes, Logan Kinghorn had 13, and Matt Stucki 12. Ofoegbu and Akbar Abdul-Ahad tied for the rebounding lead with eight each as ISU outrebounded the smaller Coyotes 48-22. Brandon Nielsen threw down 20 points, Josh Owen had 19, and Craig McGee 11 for Albertson.
While ISU suffered 30 turnovers, they did pick up 14 steals of their own and 23 assists,, with Kinghorn's five and five leading the way.
The Bengals will play one final exhibition against Westminster College on Wednesday night at 7:05 pm in Reed Gym before starting the season at #17 Marquette on Monday, November 13.
Notes: ISU blocked four shots ... the Bengals hit 9-of-12 free throws ... the final 30:09 of the game was played with just two officials, Bob Scofield and Kevin Cutler, as Coban Lopez pulled a hamstring ... Albertson's 47 threes would have been a school record.
