Box Score
POCATELLO, Idaho- Thanks to a career-high 37 points from senior
Kenny McGowen, the Idaho State men's basketball team won its fourth road game of the year by winning 79-73 at Northern Arizona. The Bengals improved to 9-16 and 7-6 in Big Sky play.
Idaho State is now in third place in the conference by a half game as Portland State is 6-6 and Montana State is 6-7.
“I was taking what they were giving me,” McGowen said. “It wasn't just me. My teammates did a good job of running the floor. We are not just a one-man team. The entire team did a lot to help us get the win. This team keeps battling and fighting until the buzzer sounds at the end.”
The Bengals finished with four players in double figures. Along with McGowen's 37 points,
Sherrod Baldwin had a career-high 13 points while playing a career-high 34 minutes. McGowen scored his 37 points on 12-of-22 shooting from the field. He was 7-for-12 from the 3-point line and 6-for-6 from the three throw line.
Melvin Morgan had 11 points and five assists and
Andre Hatchett had 10 points, seven rebounds and three steals.
“I told Andre after the game that this was a great game for him,” Idaho State Interim Head Coach Deane Martin said. “He gave us everything he could tonight.”
The Bengals shot 45 percent from the floor, was 14-for-15 from the free throw line and had 16 assists to only nine turnovers. ISU had 32 rebounds to NAU's 34. Northern Arizona shot 47.4 percent for the game.
There were five ties and six lead changes in the game. The Bengals jumped out to a 9-0 lead in the first five minutes of the game but Northern Arizona came right back with 10 straight points to lead 10-9 with 12:15 to play in the first half.
Then Baldwin came through over a four-minute stretch and hit three 3-pointers to put ISU back on top 21-12 with 8:51 left in the period.
“Sherrod hit those shots when we really need them because we were not getting any good shots,” Martin said. “He caught the ball in rhythm and shot the ball. You have to play with confidence and he did that. He gave us a great first-half when we really needed it.”
The Bengals led 36-34 at halftime. With the score tied at 46 four minutes into the second half, Idaho State went on a 21-6 run to take a 67-52 lead with 8:48 to play in the game. The run was capped by a McGowen 3-pointer.
NAU got no closer than four-points the rest of the way at 77-73 with 17 seconds left in the game. Idaho State finished the game with four players with four fouls.
“We had guys that were gassed tonight,” Martin said. “But I wasn't going to take them out. I had to go with the players that we have counted on throughout the year. I had to leave them in the game. I am going with the guys that brought us here and I am going to ride them as long as they can go.”
Idaho State returns to the court on Saturday, Feb. 18 for a 6 p.m. contest at Pacific in the ESPN Bracketbuster game.
We Are Your Bengals
