March 1, 2007
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Pocatello, ID--Natalie Doma scored a game-high 24 points with 11 rebounds for her 21st double-double of the season and Andrea Lightfoot added 18 points as Idaho State cruised past Weber State 81-56 Thursday night at Reed Gym.
With the win, Idaho State improves to 14-13 overall, 10-5 in Big Sky play. With the help of a Portland State win over Northern Arizona on Thursday night, Idaho State moves into a tie with NAU for third place in the Big Sky standings, and just one game behind Weber State for second place. WSU falls to 16-12 overall, 11-4 in league play.
The Bengals held the Wildcats to 56 points in the game--the lowest amount of points a team has scored against Idaho State this season.
"This was our best defensive effort of the season," said ISU head coach Jon Newlee. "We committed to a big defensive effort and that's what the team provided tonight. We were very focused defensively tonight."
After taking a 34-27 lead into halftime, Idaho State used an 18-4 run over a six minute span in the second half to take a 58-41 lead with 8:43 to play. The Bengals then continued to build on that lead to secure the win.
Doma connected on 8-of-14 shots from the field and went a perfect 8-of-8 from the charity stripe for her 24 points. She also pulled down 11 rebounds and collected three blocks and two steals on the night.
Lightfoot recorded her 18 points on 7-of-13 shooting, including a pair of makes from beyond the arc. Jeni Boesel also recorded double digits with 13 points and was just one assist shy of a double-double. Michelle Grohs helped with nine points, while Aralee Smith and Devin Diehl each added seven.
Idaho State connected on a 48.2 percent clip from the field and a 38.9 percent mark from long range. The Bengals hit 20-of-22 free throws in the game.
Weber State, which averages nearly six threes per game was held without a trey for the first time this season. The Wildcats went 0-for-8 from downtown.
Idaho State continues play at home on Saturday when the team hosts Sacramento State at 2:05 p.m. at Reed Gym. The game will mark the final home game of the season for ISU.
