Feb. 27, 2010
Final Stats
Complete Booklet: Idaho State 71 - Eastern Washington 63 
Pocatello, ID - Idaho State (14-14, 9-6 BSC) extended its win streak to five when the Bengals fought off a back-and-forth contest hitting 5-of-6 from the line in the final 39 seconds to wrap up a 71-63 victory over conference leader Eastern Washington (18-10, 11-4 BSC) on Saturday night at Reed Gym. Idaho State's victory gave the Bengals a split with the Eagles for the season series and stripped Eastern Washington of the opportunity to clinch the regular season title and host the 2010 Big Sky Tournament.
"It feels good to beat the No. 1 team and to not let them win the conference title on our floor," said Head Coach Seton Sobolewski. "That was one of our goals; we didn't want anyone else celebrating in our locker room or on our floor. If they are going to win it, they are going to have to go home and win it."
Idaho State had four players in double-figures with Andrea Videbeck leading the way with 18 points. She hit 5-of-9 from the field. She also knocked down four three pointers, a game-high, with 80 percent accuracy. The senior guard recorded eight assists and pulled down three rebounds.
Senior forward Oana Iacovita and freshman forward Ashleigh Vella each recorded 12 points while junior guard Chelsea Pickering chipped in 11 points. Iacovita hit 6-of-9, 66.7 percent, from the field, pulled down five rebounds and posted two steals.
The Bengals shot a season-high 54.5 percent from the field (24-of-44) for the game. Idaho State hit 66.7 percent (12-of-18) in the second half alone.
Junior guard Andrea Blodgett's hot hands grabbed three steals, a game-high, in the first 2:30 of play that unfolded Idaho State's solid start opening with a 14-3 run that was capped by two Videbeck treys to give ISU's its largest lead of 11 points for the contest at the 13:58 mark. Videbeck would go on to hit her third trey just after the run to be the Bengals only scorer for over four minutes giving the senior guard 11 straight points for Idaho State.
Eagle Tatjana Sparavalo would put a counter attack on the Bengals knocking down three treys of her own to put Eastern Washington up by five, 29-24 with 5:39 remaining in the first. Sparavalo would put up her nine points hitting 3-of-5 from the arc. The Eagles led 33-29 into the break.
The contest would continue to swing back and forth throughout the match-up with the game seeing six tied scores and six lead changes. The last tied score was put up by Eastern Washington's Chene Cooper with a jump shot at the 5:48 mark to tie up the scoreboard at 51 apiece. Cooper posted a game-high 19 points hitting 8-of12 from the field.
The Bengals would continue to hold onto the lead before hitting 5-of-6 from the line in the final 39 seconds to clinch the win with an eight point difference as 71-63 shined on the scoreboard.
"One of the things I'm really happy with is our defense in the post tonight. They really hurt us last time. I think Scott had 15 points last time we played them and Julie Piper also had double-figures. To keep them to a combined ten points was big for us. They are two really good players so to do that is an accomplishment in itself."
Senior Devin Diehl led a strong defensive effort posting a career-high three blocks, all in the second half. She also put six points up on the board for Idaho State. The Bengals showed a strong defensive presence around the perimeter in the second half holding Eastern Washington to 0-of-5 from beyond the arc.
"We've done a really good job at gapping and knowing what they are looking for and knowing how to guard it, and especially since I enjoy defense so much, it is nice to pick up on that and it's winning games for us," said Diehl of Idaho State's defensive effort.
With the sweep at home, posting splits over both Portland State and Eastern Washington, the Bengals are playing with added confidence as they play their final regular season game next week against Sacramento State on Friday, March 5 at 6:05 p.m. at Reed Gym. The Bengals will also be playing their final home contest of the season thus Iacovita, Diehl and Videbeck will be honored on Senior Night. The Bengals post a 9-3 record at home.
Idaho State is tied for third place in the Big Sky Conference standings with Portland State. Eastern Washington remains in the lead with an 11-4 record while Sacramento State holds second place with its 9-5 league record.
After today's competitions all six tournament spots have been clinched, including the Eagles, Sacramento State, Portland State, Montana and Montana State. However, the bracket order is still to be determined and the Bengals will fight for a chance at a second place seeding. Idaho State will make its 12th Big Sky Tournament appearance in March.
