Last Minute Rally Falls Short at Northern Colorado

 
POCATELLO, Idaho- There is no questioning the fight in the Idaho State men's basketball team. The Bengals trailed 77-74 with seconds remaining at Northern Colorado and Geno Luzcando made a shot that hopefully would have tied the game and send it to overtime but the officials ruled that Luzcando's foot was on the line, giving Northern Colorado a 77-76 lead. The Bears (10-9, 5-3) then made two free throws with .4 seconds left to seal the 79-76 win over the Bengals (5-16, 2-7).

In a game that saw six ties and 11 lead changes, the Bengals shot 55.6 percent from the floor and made eight 3-pointers on 14 attempts. The difference in the game was the Bears shooting from the three-point line.

Northern Colorado shot 46.7 percent from the field but made 12 3-pointers on 17 attempts.

"They were 12-for-17 from the 3-point line," Idaho State coach Bill Evans said. "That is unthinkable to me. We boxed them and manned them. They just made baskets."

Chris Hansen led the Bengal offense with 22 points on seven-of-13 shooting from the field. He made four 3-pointers on eight attempts.

"He played good," Evans said. "He is a tough kid and he did a great job tonight."

Ajak Magot tied his career high 12 points while Jeffrey Solarin had his seventh double-double of the season with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Ben Wilson scored eight points and Geno Luzcando scored seven off the bench.

Neither team had a lead bigger than nine points. Northern Colorado was clinging to a 56-55 lead with 9:28 left in the game after a layup by Evann Hall. The Bears then went on a 15-7 run to take a 71-62 lead with 4:49 remaining.

The Bengals rallied to get within four points at 73-69 after a 3-pointer by Nnamdi Ezenwa, a jumper by Magot and two free throws by Wilson.

Northern Colorado extended its lead to 77-71 with 1:05 to play in the game. Hansen then connected on a 3-pointer with 59 seconds left to cut the deficit to 77-74. Northern Colorado turned the ball over on its ensuing possession setting up Luzcando's jumper that was ruled a two-pointer with seven seconds left in regulation.  

The Bengals return to the court on Saturday, January 31, for a 1 p.m. (MDT) contest at North Dakota. Listen to the game live on 930 AM and 102.5 FM.