Box Score
BOISE, Idaho – Idaho State senior forward
Ashleigh Vella became the 15
th player in ISU history to score 1,000 career points as she met the mark in ISU's 64-55 win over rival Boise State. Going into tonight's contest, Vella needed just nine points to notch 1,000 for her career and the Melbourne, Australia native recorded 14 in the game bringing her career total to 1,005. Vella also had eight rebounds, four assists and three steals for the Bengals in 29 minutes of play. Idaho State improves to 2-2 and hands Boise State its first loss of the season as the Broncos fall to 3-1.
“A huge congratulations to
Ashleigh Vella for surpassing 1,000 career points,” ISU Head Coach
Seton Sobolewski said. “Vella has been a very special player for us in her time at ISU. She was the first player to commit to Idaho State win I got the job. She is someone who is very special to us and I just couldn't be happier for her. I know she's going to keep it going and be a great player.”
The win at Taco Bell Arena marked ISU's first win against BSU in Boise since Dec. 21, 2002 when the Bengals defeated the Broncos 63-49. ISU has now defeated Boise State two seasons in a row as ISU defeated BSU last season in an 84-75 decision in Pocatello. The last time ISU had back-to-back wins against the Broncos was in the 2002-03 and 2003-04 seasons.
Junior forward
Cydney Horton led Idaho State with her second straight double-double, tying her career-high of 19 points to go with a career best 13 rebounds. Horton also recorded two steals and two blocks in 32 minutes of play. She went 7-12 from the field and 5-6 from the free throw line.
Senior guard
Kaela Oakes contributed 12 points for ISU as she went 3-13 from the field, 2-9 from beyond the arc and a perfect 4-4 from the line. She also had two rebounds, three assists and two steals.
Junior guard
Lindsey Reed had 11 points for the Bengals as she hit three 3-pointers during the contest and went 4-10 from the field. Reed also had seven rebounds and two assists.
Idaho State jumped out to an early lead in the first half, outscoring the Broncos 16-1. BSU answered with a 24-9 run to level the playing field as both squads headed into the locker room with ISU holding a narrow 27-25 lead at the half.
“We were prepared for a strong and intense push from Boise State in the beginning because they are known for getting good starts,” Sobolewski said. “We really pumped ourselves up to be ready to go hard in the first 10 minutes. We prepared ourselves to be really intense on defense and we were, but we were also really intense and working hard on the offensive end.”
Horton, Vella and Oakes had huge second halves, combining to score 35 of ISU's 37 second-half points. Oakes and Vella had 10 points in the half and Horton pitched in 15.
“I thought all three of those players were there for us in different parts of the game,” Sobolewski said. “When we needed it, one of those three stepped up and made big plays for us.”
ISU's defense continued to shine as the Bengals held BSU to a 34.7 shooting percentage and out-rebounded the Broncos 44-30. The Bengals had 17 offensive rebounds which played a big role in the game and included two big back-to-back put backs by Horton in the second half. The Bengals also held BSU's top scorer, Lauren Lenhardt to just seven points. Lenhardt had been averaging 17.7 points for Boise State prior to the contest.
The Bengals return to action following the Thanksgiving holiday to take on South Dakota and Nebraska on the road. ISU faces South Dakota Thursday, Nov. 29 at 4 p.m. in Vermillion, S.D. The Bengals will look to get a win against the Coyotes after suffering a loss to South Dakota last season in Pocatello.
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