Feb. 16, 2008
Final Stats
Pocatello, ID--- The Idaho State Bengals (16-7, 8-3 BSC) shook off a slow start and beat the Eastern Washington Eagles (4-21, 1-11 BSC) 73-62 at Reed Gym Saturday afternoon. That was the Bengals' eighth straight win over the Eagles. National player of the year candidate Natalie Doma led the charge with her league leading 20th double-double by scoring 25 points and 15 rebounds. Tatjana Sparavalo led the Eagles off the bench with 24 points.
Idaho State struggled to find the basket early in the game missing their first nine shots. Eastern Washington jumped out to a 6-0 lead. Head Coach Jon Newlee did not panic. "They lulled us into their temp in the first half. I never thought we wouldn't win, I just knew it was going to be a struggle until we got going." The Eagles were charged by Sparavalo who scored 20 first half points.
In the second half, the Bengals started to play their game and took control of the game. With 11:19 remaining, the Eagles held a 46-44 lead. Then Doma became the aggressor and led the Bengals by scoring 10 points during a 15-2 Idaho State run that gave them the lead for good. Doma also had a season-high four blocks and two steals.
Andrea Lightfoot also played well just missing a double-double herself with 19 points and nine rebounds. Devin Diehl did not start, but was productive off the bench scoring 14 points. She wasn't upset sitting down at the start, "Coming off the bench or starting, it doesn't matter. When you're in the game you just go hard for the team."
The Bengals got more good news after the game when Weber State upset Portland State in Ogden. That moved the Bengals into second place a half game behind Montana in the Big Sky standings. Should the Bengals win their remaining five games, they would own a tiebreaker with the Grizzlies by virtue of sweeping them.
Idaho State will now make their final road trip of the regular season when they head north to face Montana State and Montana. Next is a date with the Bobcats in Bozeman on Thursday February 21st. Tip off is set for 7:05 pm.
Notes: Oana Iacovita started at forward for her first start of the season... Andrea Lightfoot passed Mandi Carver to move in second place on ISU's career free throws made list. She also passed Carver for tenth on ISU's career steals list.
