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Pocatello, Idaho- The home win streak is now 12 thanks to big games from Ashleigh Vella and Andrea Blodgett as Idaho State defeated Eastern Washington 75-69 at Reed Gym on Saturday afternoon.
“We want it to become a tough place to play,” Idaho State coach Seton Sobolewski said. “Right now the girls are defending home court.”
Vella scored 27 points on 11-of-14 shooting, four points off her career high of 31.
“She's playing very well right now.” Sobolewski said. “She's very confident and she's pushed through the lull we as a team have had during the last few games. She's done a fantastic job for us scoring in the low post. I couldn't be happier for her.”
Blodgett had 12 points and a career-high 10 rebounds in 35 minutes off the bench.
“She did a nice job,” Sobolewski said. “As a team we've been working on blocking out, trying to get in those gaps and Andi did a nice job squeaking in there and coming down with boards.”
Kaela Oakes scored 15 points for the Bengals. Chelsea Pickering had a career-high seven assists.
Idaho State, now 13-7 and 4-3 in Big Sky play, shot 53.8 percent from the field and forced 18 Eagle turnovers. Eastern Washington (8-11, 4-3) shot 41.8 percent from the field. Idaho State out rebounded Eastern Washington 31-30. The Bengals were solid in the post as they had 33 points in the paint.
The Bengals led the entire game and by as much as 17 points in the second half at 54-37 with 11:15 remaining in the game. Eastern Washington made a run to make the game close at the end as it got within five points at 59-54 with 5:01 to play in the contest.
“They did a nice job,” Sobolewski said on Eastern Washington. “They hit some tough threes and made their free throws. We did a pretty good job taking some things away like going to the basket. They really stepped it up on their three-point shooting tonight. Copper hit some incredible shots. It was a tough game but a good win.”
The Eagles continued to rally to cut the Bengal lead to four points several times in the final two minutes of the game but ISU always answered with two free throws by Oakes, a layup by Vella and two free throws by Lindsey Reed.
With 24 seconds left in the game EWU's Chene Cooper hit a 3-pointer to cut its deficit to 72-69. Oakes then hit three of four free throws in the final seconds to seal the victory.
Idaho State led 35-24 at halftime as the Bengals shot 60.9 percent from the field and held Eastern Washington to 30 percent shooting. Vella scored 16 of her 27 points in the first half and was a perfect six-for-six from the field.
Idaho State returns to the court on Saturday Feb. 5 when it plays at Eastern Washington.
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