Feb. 14, 2008
Final Stats
Pocatello, ID --- The Idaho State Bengals (15-7, 7-3 BSC) couldn't slow down the Portland State Vikings (18-6, 8-3 BSC) or the nation's assist leader Sophomore Claire Faucher in an 81-63 loss at Reed Gym Thursday night. The Vikings shot 51 percent on the game and Faucher set a new Big Sky record with 19 assists. It is also the most assists in a single game this season in the entire country. National player of the year candidate Natalie Doma led the Bengals with 27 points and 12 rebounds for her Big Sky leading 19th double-double.
The game started similarly to their earlier meeting which was a 40 point win for the Vikings in Portland. PSU came out on fire from the field shooting 68 percent in the first half. Many of those shots set up by Faucher passes.
Head Coach Jon Newlee's Bengals shot 29 percent in the first half. "That's basically how the game went up there. They were making everything they threw up and us struggling and missing some easy shots." The Vikings pulled away late in the first half when, with a 34-27 lead, went on a 13-0 run.
Doma saw this game as a wake up call for the Bengals. "I think we need to take this as motivation. It needs to make us mad and find the fire within us. We don't want to lose two at home. It's the second half of conference, these are huge." Doma was on of two Bengals who scored in double figures. Bianca Cheever came off the Bench to score 11 points.
In other Big Sky game, Montana defeated Sacramento State to claim first place outright at 8-2. Portland State is now in second place at 8-3 with the Bengals tied with Montana State for third place at 7-3.
The Bengals look to recover against Eastern Washington Saturday afternoon at Reed Gym. Tipoff is set for 2:05 pm.
NOTES: Andrea Lightfoot tied Mandi Carver for 10th on the Idaho State career steals list.
