Nov. 25, 2008
Final Stats
Complete Southern Utah Box Score 
Cedar City, UT--A poor shooting night for Idaho State was its demise as the Bengals went 19-of-72 from the field to be by Southern Utah in a 75-61 loss at the Centrum Arena Tuesday night. However, junior Devin Diehl was not affected as she not only tied the game-high 17 points but set a career-high on her effort as well. Southern Utah gains its first victory of the season to improve to 1-3, while ISU falls to 2-3 overall.
Diehl was extremely effective behind the arc knocking down five three-pointers from eight attempts. She was 5-of-9 from the field and put away both of her chances at the charity stripe going 2-for-2. Diehl also recorded two assists and two defensive rebounds for her total.
Though it was a solid game for Diehl, the rest of the Bengal squad suffered as they were 19-of-72 from the field with ten of the made shots being three-pointers. A rough first half put the Bengals behind and they were never able to catch up from there. Idaho State started with a 4-0 run but it would be the only time they led as Southern Utah went on a 16-2 run to dominate the Bengals outscoring the team 40-23 by the end of the first half. Southern Utah could not miss as they put away 17-of-31, 54.8 percent, from the field in the first while ISU struggled with 7-of-34, 20.6 percent.
"We just weren't consistent at all," said Seton Sobolewski. "You are going to have nights when the ball doesn't go in the basket."
It was Southern Utah's inside game that frustrated the Bengals as only one three-pointer was scored for SUU in the entire game. The Thunderbirds outscored ISU in the paint 32 to 12. The solid defensive effort of Southern Utah also reduced the Bengals scoring ability as SUU scored 16 points off second chances and out rebounded the Bengals 61 to 43, pulling down 36 rebounds in the first half alone and 21 offensively. ISU recorded 19 offensive rebounds.
"The O-board transition really hurt us," said Sobolewski. "At the same time, when you don't shoot well, when you miss that many shots there are a lot to be had."
ISU fired up in the second half as they outscored Southern Utah 38-35, putting away 12-of-38 shots, 6-of-18 were behind the arc. The Bengals held the Thunderbirds to 11-of-37 inside the paint. While Southern Utah dominated the inside, ISU led the outside putting down 10 three pointers and six in the second half alone. Though they gave a solid effort in the second period it was not enough to overcome Southern Utah.
Idaho State's defensive effort was led by senior Michelle Grohs who hit the board hard pulling down 10 rebounds, the second most of the game. Junior Oana Iacovita scored 11 points for the Bengals and pulled down seven rebounds, six offensively. Senior Jenna Brown was the only other Bengal to score in double digits as she recorded 10 points and was 4-of-8 from the field and 1-of-4 from the arc.
Southern Utah had four players score in double-digits, with Anne Westwood-Higbee tying the game-high of 17 points with Diehl. Cassi Jones was a defensive machine as she recorded 11 rebounds, two blocked shots and a steal to post 11 points for the Thunderbirds. Jones was 3-of-5 from the field and 5-for-6 at the line. Higbee was also a solid contributor on the inside going 7-of-12 from the field. The sophomore Caitlyn Sears was also effective going 5-of-11 from the field for 12 points.
Overall, Idaho State shot 26.4 percent from the field and while Southern Utah was 41.2 percent. The Bengals dominated the outside posting 30.3 percent from the arc while Southern Utah was 10 percent. Southern Utah posted 18 turnovers to ISU 13 giving ISU 18 points from turnovers while SUU converted for 16 points.
The Bengals will return to action at the Loyola Marymount Ayres Hotel Thanksgiving Tournament to take on LMU on Friday at 3 p.m. and will match up with either Georgetown or North Dakota State at 2 p.m. or 4 p.m. depending on results of the tournament.
Notes: Kari Green made her first appearance as a Bengal and earned her first points on the score board going 1-for-2 at the line. She also posted two rebounds and an assist. Sophomore Verity Peets and SUU's Anne Westwood-Higbee fouled out.
