Box Score
POCATELLO, Idaho- The three junior college transfers shined for Idaho State on Monday night to help lead the Bengal men's basketball team to a 69-57 victory over Montana Tech at Holt Arena. The win improved ISU to 2-3 overall.
Kenny McGowen came off the bench to score a career-high 21 points in 27 minutes. McGowen had 15 in the first half and was six-of-nine shooting from the field and four-of-seven from the 3-point line to go along with four assists. Abner Moreira tied his career-high of 12 points but had a career-best 13 rebounds in 34 minutes of play while Chase Grabau had 10 points, five rebounds and three assists in 37 minutes of action.
“We had to play without Broderick and David helping us offensively,” O'Brien said. “Abner, Kenny and Chase really stepped up. All three are new players and this is the first time we can say that three of our transfers had really solid games and put us in a position to win. We are starting to get some of those guys comfortable now. I am really pleased with the JUCO transfers. They are finding their niche.”
ISU shot 55 percent from the floor, for the third time this season, including going 21-of-28 from two-point range.
“There are some moments out there were we were pretty good and clicking offensively and then there were some possessions were we beat ourselves,” O'Brien said. “That is the frustration with so many new people.”
Idaho State out rebounded Montana Tech 30-24 and held them to 43 percent shooting from the field.
Idaho State fell behind early, 15-8 eight minutes into the game. Over the next 12 minutes McGowen got the hot hand as he scored his 15 first-half points to help ISU tie the game at 17 on a jumper with 9:08 to play and then at 20 on a 3-pointer three minutes later. ISU took the lead for good at 23-20 with 5:51 to play in the first period thanks to another 3-pointer by McGowen.
ISU led 35-28 at halftime and built the lead to 10 at 48-38 after a jumper by Lacey with 12:49 to play in the game. The closest Montana Tech got the rest of the way was eight points and the biggest lead for the Bengals was 17 points at 66-49 with two minutes to play in the game.
Idaho State returns to the floor on Saturday at 11:35 a.m. when it plays at the University of Iowa. The Bengals return to Holt Arena on Saturday, Dec. 11 for a 7 p.m. contest against Summit League foe UMKC.
www.isubengals.com
