Nov. 22, 2008
Final Stats
Pocatello, ID --- Twice Idaho State battled back from late deficits to force overtime, but not even a career-high 31 points from Amorrow Morgan could get ISU over the overtime hump as ISU lost their second straight overtime game, this one 92-84 to Boise State in double-overtime.
Idaho State led by six at the break 28-22, but Boise State raced out to a quick 10-1 run to open the second half, and led 32-29, and they eventually pushed that lead to 11 with 4:54 to go after a Mark Sanchez basket made it 53-42. However, ISU's Kal Bay hit a three to kick start a 9-2 run to get ISU back within four on a Demetrius Monroe fast-break layup with 2:11 left. ISU still trailed by three in the final minute, but after Matt Stucki and Mark Sanchez traded free throws, Amorrow Morgan hit a layup to make it 59-58, and then Sanchez made just one of two with 10.1 left, and Morgan tied it right away, sending the game to OT.
In the second overtime, BSU led most of the way, and were up five with under a minute left when Morgan worked his magic again, scoring two baskets around a 1-for-2 effort at the line by Paul Noonan with time running out to make it 74-72. Then, Anthony Thomas missed two free throws with 14 seconds left, and Morgan dished to Monroe with three to go to tie the game at 74 and send it to a second overtime.
However, it was not to be. Bay gave ISU a three-point in the second OT with a three-pointer, his second of the game, but BSU reeled off eight straight points, including a three by Sanchez to give BSU the lead for good.
Morgan's 31 marked the second straight game that he set a career-high, besting his 26 he scored against Hawai'i, and Demetrius Monroe had his third straight double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds. Also in double-figures for the Bengals were Kal Bay and Deividas Busma, who each had 10. Mark Sanchez led the Broncos with 25 points, and Kurt Cunningham had 20. Paul Noonan added 11 and Jamar Greene chipped in 10. Sanchez also had 14 rebounds, although ISU did outrebound BSU 42-41. ISU shot just .388 from the field, while BSU was .475, including 57% in the second half and 54% in overtime.
The Bengals now return to Holt Arena, where they will take on a tough Long Beach State team that defeated Weber State in overtime on Saturday 73-69.
NOTES: Idaho State dropped to 1-9 in the O'Brien era in overtime games, and 0-2 in double-overtime ... Monroe had two career double-doubles entering this season.
