Box Score
POCATELLO, Idaho- Despite improvements made in the second half, the Idaho State men's basketball team fell 73-69 to Montana State on Thursday evening at Holt Arena. The loss drops Idaho State to 3-11, 1-2 Big Sky play and Montana State improved to 7-7, 2-1 Big Sky.
Idaho State never led in the game and fell behind by as many as 17 points late in the first half before rallying to trail 37-29 at halftime. The Bengals got within four several times in the second half and with 19 seconds came within three points at 69-66 after three free throws by
Kenny McGowen but ISU would get no closer.
McGowen led the Bengals in scoring with 18 points. Morgan finished the game with 17 points, five assists and four rebounds.
Abner Moreira led the team in rebounds with nine while playing the full 40 minutes.
Chase Grabau led the Bengals with six assists.
Idaho State shot 40.4 percent from the floor and out rebounded the Bobcats 33-29. Montana State shot 53.3 percent from the field and was 10-for-16 from the 3-point line. Montana State was forced into 18 turnovers.
Idaho State trailed 60-45 with 9:19 to play in the game when the Bengals went on a 21-9 run to get within the three points at 69-66. In the final minute Montana State went six-for-six from the free throw line to seal the victory.
Idaho State returns to Holt Arena on Saturday, Jan. 7 at 7:05 p.m. to take on Montana.
Deane Martin Quotes
“We came out and it was obvious we were flat. We had tired legs. We knew that was going to happen. We talked to them about Montana State having a lot of energy at the start of the game. They have been off for five or six days. They have had rest and preparation time.”
“Defensively we were slow and offensively we were sluggish.”
“That is the good thing. We made a few adjustments. We were shooting a lot of jumpers and that is a sign of a tired team. They won't make plays off the dribble.”
“We made some corrections and got a little better in the second half and started attacking. We just couldn't get shots to fall. The good thing is they didn't quit. They could have folded the tent and they didn't do it. We actually had a chance there at the end.”
“When you are tired you have to execute more and grind it away. We are going to be tired Saturday when Montana comes in here and Montana is a heck of a lot better team. Nothing is going to change.”
