Box Score
POCATELLO, Idaho- The Idaho State men's basketball team rallied and took a second half lead at Eastern Washington but the Eagles made the game's final run to beat the Bengals, 57-54, on Saturday afternoon at Roos Court in Cheney, Wash.
Idaho State had the ball and attempt to take the lead in the final 10 seconds but a shot by
Andre Hatchett was blocked and the Eagles connected on two free throws to seal the victory.
“We had a chance at the end as Andre made a good play on the ball but their guy made a good play as well to get the block,” Idaho State coach
Bill Evans said. “It is a game of inches there is no question about it.”
Melvin Morgan led Idaho State in scoring with 14 points and
Ayibakuro Preh had 10 points and 10 rebounds.
“He played good,” Evans said on Preh. “If you look at that position with (Dejan) Kostur, (Neveij) Walters and Preh they were 7-for-11 from the floor with 16 rebounds. That is a good sign.”
Both teams shot 38 percent from the field. Idaho State out rebounded the Eagles 41-36 and ISU had 12 turnovers while forcing 15 Eastern Washington miscues. EWU hit eight 3-pointers on 25 attempts while ISU managed only three.
“These numbers defensively are a little more like what we want them to be,” Evans said. “All in all it was a good effort on the defensive end.
Idaho State made their run near the midway point of the second when it trailed 39-34 with 13:56 to play in the game. The Bengals then went on a 12-2 run to lead 46-41 with 6:25 to play follow baskets by
Andre Hatchett and Morgan.
Tomas Sanchez scored five points during the run, Kostur had a put back and Morgan added another free throw to lift ISU to the lead.
Eastern Washington countered the Bengals run with a 10-2 run to lead 51048 with 2:46 to play. With 38 seconds left, Morgan scored on a jumper to bring ISU within one at 55-54 and after a Hatchett steal the Bengals had a chance to take the lead but Hatchett's shot was blocked by Eastern Washington's Thomas Reuter.
Idaho State next plays Washington State on Dec. 29 in Kennewick, Wash. Tipoff is at 4 p.m.
We Are Your Bengals
