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POCATELLO, Idaho- For the first time this season, Idaho State coach Joe O'Brien liked what he saw on the offensive and defensive end of the floor. The Bengals shot 51 percent from the floor and held North Dakota to 39 percent shooting as the Bengals (2-5) defeated North Dakota (4-3) Saturday evening at Holt Arena, 76-63.
“I liked our basketball team at both ends of the floor for the first time this season,” O'Brien said. “In the second half we got better than what we were in the first half.”
The Bengals were led by 18 points from
Kenny McGowen and 17 points from
Melvin Morgan. Freshman
Garrett Swanson had 15 points and seven rebounds.
Abner Moreira had nine points and tied his career-high in rebounds with 14.
Andre Hatchett also had nine points.
Idaho State held North Dakota to 31 percent shooting in the second half and the Bengals out rebounded their opponent 42-28. ISU shot 60 percent in the first half and 38 percent in the second half.
Chase Grabau led Idaho State in assists with five in 38 minutes of play. He also had no turnovers.
In the first half the game was tied three times and the lead changed six times. With the score tied at 19, ISU went on a 6-0 run to take a 25-19 lead after two baskets by Swanson and a layup by Hatchett. The lead was extended to 35-26 after a 3-pointer by Morgan with 4:22 remaining in the period.
The Bengals led 43-37 at halftime and midway through the second half they built a 10-point lead at 53-43 after a dunk by Moreira. Idaho State's biggest lead of the game was 16 at 74-58 with 1:18 remaining.
Idaho State returns to the court for a Monday, Dec. 5 contest at Boise State. Tipoff is at 7 p.m.
Joe O'Brien Quotes
“This is a team we had a little grudge against North Dakota. It was the worst game of the year for us when we went into North Dakota. Why we had no legs and no rhythm that night I have no idea because we were coming off a pretty impressive performance two nights earlier at Oklahoma. But that happens in college basketball.”
“This is the first team we are going to have a chance to play a second time this year and it was fresh on their minds because it was just a couple of weeks ago. That had a lot to do with how hard we played.”
“The second half we hold them to 31 percent shooting. We were losing the battle of the boards at halftime and outrebounded them by 14. The light bulb came on. It came on for Kenny. He started knocking some shots down. Garrett continues to work hard in practice and get better every day. He showed that tonight. Abner is getting more comfortable.”
“There were a lot of contributions from a lot of different people. The energy was at its best. We are making progress. The strength of our schedule just hasn't allowed people to see that. Playing New Mexico, Oklahoma, LMU, Utah State and New Mexico has its dividends if you have the right kids. I think we do.”
“Melvin continues to be a scoring option for us. I really like our basketball team in every category this night for the first time and it is only Dec. 3.”
