March 2, 2006
Box Score
Pocatello, ID--Idaho State clinched at least a share of the Big Sky Conference regular season title with a 71-57 win over Montana Thursday night in front of a season-best 1,310 fans at Reed Gym. Sophomores Andrea Lightfoot and Natalie Doma combined for 50 points and 24 rebounds in the win.
With the win, Idaho State improves to 16-11 overall, 10-3 in Big Sky play. The Bengals now stand all alone in first place in the league standings with just one game left to play. Montana falls to 20-6 overall, 9-4 in league play.
"We knew coming into the game that Montana would be ready to play," said ISU head coach Jon Newlee. "They are a very well-coached team, and knew that we would have to match their intensity from the very start. We matched their intensity and committed to a man-to-man defense, and it worked out for us."
The win marks just the fifth time the Bengals have defeated Montana dating back to the 1978-79 season, and marks the first win over the Lady Griz since the 2000-01 season.
Idaho State got up early and never relinquished its lead, taking a 36-28 lead into halftime. The Bengals continue to stretch the lead in the second half, going on a 20-2 run over a seven minute span to take a 26-point advantage, 60-34 with 10:35 left to play.
The Lady Griz cut into the lead to 64-49 with four minutes remaining in the contest, but Lightfoot countered with a three to put ISU back up by 18 points, helping to secure the win.
Lightfoot recorded her second double-double of the season with 31 points and 10 rebounds. The sophomore guard went 9-of-15 from the field, 4-of-5 from beyond the arc. She was also a perfect 9-of-9 from the charity stripe.
Doma collected her eighth double-double of the season with 19 points and a game-high 14 rebounds. She connected on 5-of-18 shots from the field, and was an impressive 9-of-10 from the free throw line.
Danica Boyce chipped in 11 points on 4-of-9 shooting, including a 2-of-3 mark from long range. Jeni Boesel scored eight on a pair of threes, while Joanna Hixon added two points with nine rebounds.
ISU connected on nearly 35 percent of its shots from the field and 50 percent (8-of-16) from three-point range. ISU connected on 19-of-21 free throws (90.5 percent). The Bengals held Montana to 28.4 percent shooting from the field and 22 percent from long range.
Idaho State won the battle of the boards 54-47, including a 17-11 advantage on the offensive side.
Freshman Mandy Morales led Montana with 16 points and Dana Conway added 13.
The Bengals will now look to clinch the rights to host the Big Sky Conference Tournament (March 9-11) on Saturday against Montana State. Tip-off is set for 2:05 p.m. at Reed Gym
