Box Score
POCATELLO, Idaho- The Idaho State men's basketball team lost 66-60 to Montana State on Thursday night at Worthington Arena in Bozeman, Montana. Montana State improved to 8-7 in Big Sky Conference play while the Bengals dropped to 7-8 in league and 10-14 overall.
The Bengals had three players in double figures, led by
Jeffrey Solarin's 20 points on eight-of-nine shooting and five rebounds.
Andre Hatchett had 17 points and five rebounds and
Tomas Sanchez had 10 points.
Chris Hansen was held to seven points as Montana State played a box and one all game on him. According to ISU coach
Bill Evans that was the difference in the game.
"I got out coached tonight," Evans said. "We rely on Chris and tonight they took him out of the game. That is really smart and the difference in the game. Their game plan was really good and our ability to counter wasn't very good."
Idaho State shot 43 percent from the field while Montana State shot 42 percent. ISU hit two 3-pointers on 16 attempts while MSU was five-for-15. The Bengals were 14-19 from the free throw line and the Bobcats were 17-19. Both teams had 10 turnovers and ISU was out rebounded 33-30.
The game had 10 lead changes and eight ties. The Bengals took an early 7-2 lead five minutes into the game on two free throws by
Ajak Magot. Then with Montana State leading 17-11, the Bengals scored six straight points to tie the game at 17. Four of the points came from Solarin and Sanchez at the free throw line.
Idaho State led 30-29 at halftime after Hatchett scored with eight seconds left. The Bengals held early two-point leads in the first eight minutes of the final period but Montana State took the lead for good at 42-41 with 9:02 left in the game on a free throw from Paul Egwuonwu.
ISU got within one point twice the rest of the way but the Bobcats never relinquished the lead.
The Bengals return to the court on Saturday, Feb. 22, for a 7 p.m. contest at Montana. The game will be broadcast live on 930 CBS Sports Radio and Rock 102.5.
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