Dec. 10, 2007
Final Stats
Corvallis, OR --- In the first 333 games in ISU women's basketball, the Idaho State Bengals had managed just two wins against the Pac-10. After that, it only took three games to match the feat. The Bengals upset the Oregon State Beavers 79-73 Monday night at Gill Coliseum in Corvallis, Oregon. The victory comes nine days after ISU shocked UCLA 76-64 in Reno, Nevada. Idaho State improves to 6-3 on the season. The loss sends the Beavers down to 4-3.
Things were looking like they were starting to get out of control for the Bengals at the half when the Beavers went on a 13-3 run to bring a nine point, 36-27 lead to the locker room. But Idaho State responded with a 17-5 run to open up the second half. After Oregon State fought back to retake the lead, the Bengals slammed the door shut by going on a 15-4 run in the final three minutes to secure the six-point win.
Head coach Jon Newlee noted, "When we do what we need to do and we execute our game plan, we can play with anybody in the country."
Natalie Doma led the Bengals with 24 points and 12 rebounds. It was her eighth double-double in nine games. She shot 10-of-17 from the field, including a season high three three-point field goals. Coach Newlee looked for Doma to dominate down low. "I knew inside they could not guard her."
Jenna Brown also nailed three shots from beyond the arc, a season-high for her as well, on her way to 11 points. As a team, Idaho State shot 11-for-20 from three point land. Andrea Lightfoot went 7-for-7 from the line on the way to scoring 15 points.
5' 9" Devin Diehl was put in the starting lineup and scored 10 points while going a perfect 6-for-6 from the charity stripe. Coach Newlee felt Diehl's biggest impact may have been on the defensive end of the floor. "For her size she is doing great. She guarded a 6-6 girl against UCLA. She is by far our best defender. She came out and executed exactly what we wanted her too."
Ashley Allen and Brittney Davis scored 18 points apiece for the Beavers.
The Bengals will now finish off their non-conference with three consecutive home games before opening up Big Sky play at home against Northern Colorado on January 3rd. Next up is a meeting with nationally ranked NAIA Lewis-Clark State College Friday December 14th at Reed Gym. Tip off is set for 7:05 pm.
Notes: Idaho State is now 4-16 all-time against the Pac 10... It was the Bengals first road win of the season... This was the first time this season the Bengals won after trailing at the half (1-3)... ISU has won five of their last six after starting the season 1-2... Natalie Doma (1,756 career points) passed Julie Gjersten of Weber State to become the fourth leading scorer in Big Sky Conference history.
