March 3, 2007
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Pocatello, ID--The stars aligned for the Idaho State women's basketball team on Saturday. The Bengals defeated Sacramento State 93-73 and Montana State downed Weber State 66-63, equating into a second seed for ISU and a first round bye at next week's Big Sky Conference Tournament in Missoula, Mont.
Idaho State, Weber State, and Northern Arizona end the regular season in a three-way tie for second place with 11-5 records. Since Idaho State has a better head-to-head record (3-1) this season with two wins over Weber State and one win over Northern Arizona, the Bengals lock in as the No. 2 seed.
"We knew we had to win and that we needed some help from Montana State and it all worked out for us," said ISU head coach Jon Newlee about his team clinching the No. 2 seed at next week's Big Sky Tournament. "We finished the last half of the conference season with just one loss. The team earned it and we're excited about it."
Idaho State and Sacramento State played evenly through the first 17 minutes of the game. Leading 34-33 with 3:23 remaining in the first half, Idaho State went on a 10-1 run to end the half, giving the Bengals a 45-34 advantage at the break. ISU continued to build on that lead, outscoring Sacramento State 48-39 in the second half to secure the win.
Natalie Doma led Idaho State with a 24-point, 14-rebound effort in Saturday's win over Sacramento State at Reed Gym. Andrea Lightfoot also added a double-double with 23 points and 11 rebounds.
Jeni Boesel, who was honored prior to the game as ISU's only senior, scored 20 points with a career-high six three-point field goals. Boesel hit her sixth trey on her final shot of the game, just before being subbed out for the last time.
"Six threes is not a bad way to go out," Newlee said about Boesel's performance. "We ran one final play for her before she came out and she knocked it down. She has had such a great year and it couldn't have been scripted any better than it was today. She's worked hard."
Kaylynn Fager also reached double digits with 10 points, including a pair of threes. Michelle Grohs helped offensively with a career-high seven assists.
Idaho State hit 45.2 percent of its shots from the field and connected on 33.3 percent from beyond the arc (10-of-30). The Bengals won the battle of the boards 45-28, including a 19-6 on the offensive end.
Becca Reams led Sacramento State with 17 points. Kim Sheehy and Kelly Vega also reached double figures with 15 and 10 points, respectively.
Idaho State now prepares for the Big Sky Tournament, which will take place March 8-10 in Missoula, Montana. The Bengals go into tournament play as the No. 2 seed and will have a first round bye. ISU's first game at the tournament will take place on March 9 at 5:30 p.m.
2007 CHINOOK WIRELESS BIG SKY TOURNAMENT (Missoula, Mont.)
March 8
No. 3 Weber State vs. No. 6 Portland State, 5:30 p.m.
No. 4 Northern Arizona vs. No. 5 Montana State, 7:30 p.m.
March 9
No. 2 Idaho State vs. highest remaining seed, 5:30 p.m.
No. 1 Montana vs. lowest remaining seed, 7:30 p.m.
March 10
Championship game, 7 p.m. (televised live by Altitude Sports and Entertainment)
