Feb. 23, 2008
Final Stats
Missoula, MT --- If the Idaho State Bengals are to host the Big Sky Tournament they will have to get some help. The Montana Grizzlies seized control of the conference championship race by beating the Bengals 76-54 in Missoula Saturday night. The Bengals (17-8, 9-4 BSC) now sit two games behind the Grizzlies (21-5, 11-2) in the Big Sky Standings. That means Idaho State would have to win their final three games and Montana would have to lose their final three games for the Bengals to win the regular season title.
Andrea Lightfoot led the way for the Bengals with 26 points going 8-16 from the field and a perfect 8-8 from the line. Lightfoot carried the load for the Bengals in the first half. She provided 15 of Idaho State's 30 first half points. National player of the year candidate Natalie Doma struggled with foul trouble and finished with 12 points and nine rebounds. That was enough to push her past former Bengal Mandi Carver to break the Big Sky record for career rebounds.
Mandy Morales led the charge for the Grizzlies with 18 points. Montana shot 50 percent from the field while holding the Bengals to 37 percent shooting.
The Bengals can still earn a first round bye in the tournament by finishing second in the league standings. Idaho State will now return home for their final three games of the season beginning with Sacramento State on February 28th.
