Feb. 9, 2008
Final Stats
Greeley, CO --- The Idaho State Bengals (15-6, 7-2 BSC) draw even in the standings with Montana to force a first place tie after defeating the Northern Colorado Bears (11-12, 5-5 BSC) 76-63 Saturday afternoon in Greeley. Andrea Lightfoot led the Bengals with 25 points and national player of the year candidate Natalie Doma supplied another double-double with 19 points and 14 rebounds. The Bengals improved to a perfect 6-0 all-time against the Bears.
Lightfoot continued to play well for the Bengals. She shot 7-11 from the floor and 10-11 from the line for her 25 points. In her last three games, she has put up 27, 26, and 25 points. Lightfoot made it known early it was going to be another big game for her by scoring the Bengals' first seven points of the game. "She is in her groove. When she hit her first couple of shots in the game, I thought here we go," noted head coach Jon Newlee.
The Bengals out-rebounded the Bears 41-39. Lightfoot grabbed nine for ISU. Doma led all rebounders with 14, moving into second place on the Big Sky's career rebounding list in the process. She now trails former Bengal Mandi Carver for the all-time lead. Doma needs 46 more rebounds to pass Carver for the school and conference record.
Idaho State got a career game from sophomore forward Oana Iacovita. She added a career-high 10 points. She did not miss a shot. Iacovita went 2-2 from the floor, both for three, and 4-4 from the line. Coach Newlee had not seen that kind of game from her before, "she had some good games for us down the stretch last year, but I think this was (her best game at ISU)."
Before the game, it was uncertain if Iacovita would even play because of an arm injury she suffered earlier in the week during weight training. Coach Newlee was impressed on how she fought through it, "Oana delivered big time. She can't even straighten left her arm, luckily she's right handed."
Idaho State will now get ready to play Portland State at home on Valentine's Day. Coach Newlee is looking for a big crowd, "hopefully, the town of Pocatello knows we have a big game coming on Thursday. Bring your date. Go to dinner after the game. Scream your heads off. We have some unfinished business with Portland State." The Bengals lost by 40 points to the Vikings in Portland earlier this season. Tip off is set for 7:05 at Reed Gym.
