Box Score
Media Book | Final Stats
BOZEMAN, Mont. – Even with senior guard Chelsea Pickering scoring 13 of her game-high 21 points in the second half, Montana State's late 13-2 run overwhelmed the Bengals in their 83-63 loss at Worthington Arena Monday night to cap a four-game road stretch.
“Our effort needs to improve in this game. That's disheartening because usually that's our trademark, that we play hard,” said Head Coach Seton Sobolewski. “We struggled defensively against Montana State. They do a great job.”
Conference leader Montana State (12-8) improved its undefeated league record to 6-0 while the Bengals (11-7) fell to 2-3 in the Big Sky. Idaho State is tied for fifth with Portland State in the league standings.
Montana State jumped out to an early 17-7 lead, but the Bengals fought back with a 17-6 run to hold a two-point lead with 5:46 remaining in the first period capped by a Pickering jump shot. However, four important boards, two on offense and two on defense, allowed Montana State to regain the lead by five heading into the break.
The Bengals struggled offensively in the second half allowing Montana State to take a 16-point lead with 11:30 remaining. Montana State's 13-2 run gave the Bobcats its biggest lead of the night at 27 points ahead 74-47 with five minutes remaining. ISU was able to work back to a 20-point deficit with Pickering hitting a final second three-pointer to end the game.
Pickering jumped back on her double-figure scoring game status with her 21 point effort hitting 9-of-25 from the field and 3-of-7 from the arc. Sophomore forward Ashleigh Vella chipped in 15 points hitting 6-of-11 from the field and 1-of-1 from range. She also hit 2-of-3 from the line for ISU's only free throws of the contest.
Though the Bengals struggled with rebounding tipping the scales 50-34 in MSU's favor, the Bengals saw a bright spot with freshman guard Lindsey Reed. Reed pulled down 10 rebounds, eight on defense, marking the second Bengal this season to record double-figures in rebounding.
“Lindsey Reed is working her butt of on the glass. She had 10 boards tonight but we aren't giving her much help. She needs more help,” said Sobolewski.
Montana State was led in scoring by Rachel Semansky with 19 points. Sarah Balian recorded a double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds.
Idaho State gladly returns home after its longest conference road stretch of the season. The Bengals will host Sacramento State on Thursday, Jan. 27 at 7:05 p.m. at Reed Gym. Idaho State holds a 10-game home win streak at Reed Gym. Sacramento State was ISU's last victory overcoming the Hornets 76-51.
“The season is not over for us,” said Sobolewski. “We've got to get as many home wins as we can and keep working hard. We need to get better every day and work on our rebounding. We need to get better in that department and we'll see if we can get it going again.”
Notes: It is the second time this season that Vella has scored all of ISU's free throws for a game, her first was a 5-of-5 effort against Montana Tech at Reed Gym … Vella was also the first Bengal to post double-figures in rebounding; she is now joined by freshman guard Reed.
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