Box Score
Grand Forks, N.D. – It wasn't easy but Idaho State defeated Eastern Washington 70-65 in overtime to advance to the semifinals of the Big Sky Conference tournament and give Head Coach
Seton Sobolewski his 100th career win.
Lindsey Reed scored a game-high 19 points and
Rebecca Schrimpsher scored 18 to lead ISU to its first tournament win since the 2012 title.
Sobolewski believes this is a big step in the maturity of his young team.
"I think we played really hard, played with a lot of courage and that was a big step for us," Sobolewski said. "We've lost a lot of really close games this year. For us to step up, to win in overtime, not get nervous and make a big plays, that was big for us."
It was a physical game from the opening tip. Players from both teams found themselves in foul trouble in the first half.
Eastern Washington started the scoring off with a 3-pointer by Aubrey Ashenfelter with 18:13 left in the first half. ISU answered with a put-back layup by
Kara Jenkins on the next possession.
EWU then went on an 8-0 run to take an 11-2 lead with 13:52 left until the break.
Over the next 10 minutes Idaho State crept back into the game and tied it up on a free throw by Jenkins with 3:30 left in the first half.
Eastern went on another run to take a 30-25 lead with 33 seconds left but Schrimpsher closed the half with a 3-pointer to cut the deficit to 30-28.
The battle continued in the second half and Eastern was able to extend its lead to 42-34 with 13:03 left in the game.
Idaho State then went on an 8-0 run, capped off with five straight points from Schrimpsher, to tie the game at 42 with 10:34 left in the game.
The Bengals and Eagles traded leads for the rest of the game. Eastern led 57-55 with just under a minute left when Reed was fouled and sent to the line. She hit both free throws to tie the game.
ISU had one more chance but Jenkins' shot bounced off the front of the rim as the horn sounded, sending the game into overtime tied at 57.
Idaho State shot just 32.6 percent in regulation but in overtime the Bengals were 5-of-6 from the field and scored on every possession in the extra period. Schrimpsher was two-for-two from the field and two–for-two from the line to lead Idaho State in the extra frame.
Behind the hot shooting, the Bengals cruised to the 70-65 win.
The shooting in the overtime period was a big part of the win for the Bengals, especially after struggling in regulation.
"I think they stayed positive and took it upon themselves," Sobolewski said. "I didn't have any magical words for them in the break. They took the responsibility to play hard and stay positive and make things happen."
Idaho State plays tournament host North Dakota tomorrow at 4 p.m. (MDT). The Bengals were swept during the regular season by UND but both games were close.
UND beat ISU 48-47 in Pocatello. A last minute shot by ISU fell short and North Dakota prevailed.
The game in Grand Forks was just as close. North Dakota won 64-59 in the only other overtime game of the season for the Bengals.
Sobolewski is excited for the opportunity to play UND tomorrow.
"We are excited to play a big game, in front of a great crowd, in March," Sobolewski said. "This is why we play this game. It is going to be exciting."
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