Box Score
POCATELLO, Idaho- The Idaho State men's basketball team lost 66-53 at Cal State Fullerton on Thursday evening at Titan Gym in Fullerton, Calif. The Bengals dropped to 1-7 while the Titans improved to 4-5.
Tomas Sanchez led ISU in scoring with 17 points while
Andre Hatchett had a season-high 11 points, four assists and six rebounds and
Melvin Morgan had 10 points.
“I thought we won the effort battle and played hard,” Idaho State coach
Bill Evans said.
The Bengals shot 37.8 percent from the field (17-for-45) and out rebounded Cal State Fullerton 31-27. Idaho State was 15-for-19 from the free throw line and turned the ball over 17 times to only eight assists. The Titans converted the 17 turnovers into 18 points.
“That is the key stat to me tonight,” Evans said. “We gave up four to five baskets in transition and there is no defense for that. We gave up baskets you can't contest. ”
The Titans shot 45.1 percent from the field and was 14-for-15 from the free throw line. Cal State Fullerton turned the ball over only 11 times and had 12 assists.
The Bengals led 13-6 with 9:54 left in the first half after a 3-point play by Hatchett. Cal State Fullerton then went on a 19-3 run to take a 25-16 lead with 1:28 left in the first half. ISU trailed 27-20 at halftime.
The Bengals cut their deficit to five in the opening minute of the second half on a dunk by
Jakub Kusmieruk but the Titans then went on a 17-0 run to lead 44-22 with 13:47 to play in the game. CSUF's biggest lead was at 23 points with 6:35 remaining. Idaho State did outscore the Titans 19-9 to end the game.
Idaho State opens Big Sky Conference play next weekend on the road at Portland State on Thursday, Dec. 20 and Eastern Washington on Dec. 22. Tipoff is at 8:35 (MST) on Thursday at Portland State and 3:05 p.m. on Saturday at Eastern Washington. All games can be heard live on 102.5 KMGI and 930 KSEI.
“We are excited to start league play,” Evans said. “These games are what really counts and they are the two most important games we will have played to this point in the season. Portland State and Eastern Washington are both really good teams.”
We Are Your Bengals
