Bengals Fall 51-47 at UVU

 
POCATELLO, Idaho- Jeffrey Solarin had a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds but it wasn't enough as Utah Valley University beat Idaho State 51-47 on Tuesday evening at the UCCU Center in Orem, Utah.

Marcus Bradley had 11 points off the bench and Chris Hansen had 10 points to lead three Bengals in double figures.

The Bengal defense was stout all night, holding UVU to 36.7 percent shooting (18-for-49) and 18 percent from the three-point line (four-for-22). The ISU defense forced 17 turnovers and came up with 12 steals with four coming from Geno Luzcando in only 11 minutes of play.

"Geno is one of our better defenders one-on-one," Idaho State coach Bill Evans said. "He really anticipates and is active. He did a nice job in that department."

Offensively, Idaho State shot 30.2 percent, making 16 field goals on 53 attempts. Idaho State was out rebounded 38-34.

"Our defense is fine," Evans said. "We have to rebound the ball better and we need to score better. It is the offensive end where we are struggling immensely."

The game had nine ties and 11 lead changes. The final time the game was tied was 47-47 following a basket by Solarin with 2:33 left. After two missed attempts on the offensive end, UVU took the lead for good at 49-47 with 59 seconds remaining.

ISU's attempt to tie the game fell short on a missed Bradley jumper and the Wolverines sealed the win on a basket with 13 seconds left in the game.

Idaho State opens Big Sky Conference play January 1 at the University of Idaho. Tipoff is at 8 p.m. mountain time. The Bengals then play at Eastern Washington on January 3 before returning to Holt Arena to host Montana State on January 8.

"All that matters is what we do from this point on," Evans said on the start of Big Sky Conference play. "The past doesn't matter."