Dec. 20, 2006
Box Score
Click Here for Post Game Press Conference Video
Pocatello, ID--Natalie Doma scored a game-high 32 points and Andrea Lightfoot added 17 as Idaho State recorded a season-high 15 three-point field goals to defeat NAIA foe Montana-Western 102-64 Wednesday evening at Reed Gym.
Idaho State, which has now won three of its last four games, improves to 3-7 overall. Montana-Western stays idle at 14-0 because the game is counted as an exhibition for the NAIA school. The Bulldogs are now 0-2 this season against teams from the Big Sky Conference.
"Defensively, we really wanted to take it to their post players and it paid off for us," said ISU head coach Jon Newlee. "We knew they would have a hard time with Natalie (Doma) and she took it to them. They began to collapse down on Nat and it opened things up for us outside. We hit the open shots and it energized us. It's contagious and everyone was shooting well."
After leading by just one point, 22-21, with 9:27 to play in the first half, Idaho State went on a 13-2 run to take a 35-23 lead by the 5:47 mark. The Bengals then extended their lead to 21 points, 53-32, at halftime. ISU continued its assault in the second half, out-scoring Montana-Western 49-32 to secure the 38 point victory.
Idaho State connected on a season-high 15 three-point field goals--just two shy of the ISU single game record of 17. The Bengals have now hit 47 shots from beyond the arc over the past four games, an average of 11.8 per game.
Doma scored her 31 points on 11-of-18 shooting, including a perfect 10-of-10 from the charity stripe. She pulled down 10 rebounds for her fifth double-double of the season. The junior center also dished out five assists.
Andrea Lightfoot was just one rebound shy of a double-double with 17 points and nine rebounds. Kaylynn Fager continued her sharp outside shooting with 14 points off the bench. Fager connected on 4-of-6 shots from long range. Jeni Boesel also got into double digits with 13 points on a 5-of-10 clip from the field.
Idaho State shot 51.4 percent from the field and 44.1 percent from three. The team connected on a perfect 15-of-15 shots at the free throw line. The Bengals out-rebounded Montana-Western 49-22, including a 15-4 advantage on the offensive boards.
"We're not about one player," Newlee said. "We're about five players and anyone can score. We're doing a good job of spreading the ball around to get everyone involved. We are making that extra pass when it needs to be made. We're playing as a team and its helping us be successful."
ISU now heads into the holiday break before returning to action on Dec. 30 at Boise State. Tip-off is set for 1 p.m. The ISU men will also play at Boise State, following the ISU women's game.
