Box Score Media Book | Final Stats
CHENEY, Wash. – Senior guard
Chelsea Pickering scored seven of Idaho State's nine points in overtime and blocked a potential game-tying three-pointer with three seconds left to secure Idaho State's 76-73 overtime victory over Eastern Washington.
Idaho State (14-7, 5-3 BSC) was down 33-25 after the first half but out-scored Eastern Washington (8-13, 4-5 BSC) 42-34 in the second half to push the contest into overtime.
“We changed our attitudes,” said Head Coach
Seton Sobolewski of the Bengals effort in the second half. “We had a much more positive attitude. We worked harder and played better defense. We also made some big plays including Chelsea's big three.”
Pickering hit 6-of-16 from the field and was 4-of-8 from three-point range including a trey with 1:47 left in the second half that tied the score at 67 after the Bengals fought back from Eastern Washington's largest lead of the game at 11-points, 5:09 into the second half.
“We got off to a rough start. In the first half we struggled offensively. I don't think we recognized what was open. To Eastern Washington's credit they did a good job of switching the defense up. Also, I don't know if we had the right attitude in the first half. I felt like we weren't as into it and it showed when we would get upset with minor things,” said Sobolewski.
Idaho State turned their attitudes around and their game followed improving to a 47.6 percent field goal percentage in the second half. In overtime, Idaho State was led by senior guard Pickering who scored seven of her 18 points in the extra period.
Idaho State jumped out to a three-point lead off a trey by Pickering. Later, Eastern Washington's Aubrey Ashenfelter sank a three-pointer with 19 seconds left to trail the Bengals by one point down 74-73.
Eagle Brianne Ryan fouled sophomore guard
Kaela Oakes to stop the clock, but Oakes' clutch free throw shooting, 19-of-20 in the final two minutes, carried into overtime where she sank both attempts at the line to give ISU a three-point lead with 18 seconds remaining.
Eastern Washington had two attempts at three-pointers in the remaining seconds but Pickering blocked Tatjana Sparavalo's final trey with three-seconds left to hand the Bengals a 76-73 overtime victory.
ISU's win locked back-to-back victories over the Eagles and gave ISU an undefeated overtime record for the season improving to 2-0. Idaho State is on a three-game win streak.
“I'm very happy that we were able to turn it around, turn around the attitude, work hard and find a way to get it done,” said Sobolewski. “We made the stops and made plays. I think when you stay positive it helps you do the right things.”
Oakes scored a game-high 19 points hitting 7-of-12 from the field. She also notched five assists and pulled down three rebounds. Sophomore forward
Ashleigh Vella was two rebounds shy of a double-double when she chipped in 15 points. Freshman guard
Lindsey Reed also recorded eight rebounds.
Idaho State will return home to the ICCU Court at Reed Gym on Thursday, February 10 to host Porltand State at 7:05 p.m.
--www.isubengals.com--
