POCATELLO, Idaho – Big plays in crucial situations help lead the Idaho State women's basketball team to a 75-69 victory over North Dakota Saturday afternoon on the Idaho Central Credit Union Court inside Reed Gym. It's the Bengals (11-10, 6-4 BSC) third consecutive win and fourth in their last five games.
"I think we are getting better and I hope it sticks," Head Coach
Seton Sobolewski said. "Hopefully we are turning into that team we capable of being. Hopefully down the stretch we keep it up. I think our attitudes our good and I think we try to keep things in perspective. We are growing and getting better."
After trailing by one at halftime, ISU led by as many as 11 points in the second half. The visitors and reigning Big Sky champions would make a late push to tie the game at 63 with just 2:38 to play.
The Bengals went right to their leading scorer
Apiphany Woods who drove the lane and finished a tough layup to put ISU back in front. After UND answered with an offensive put back to level the score at 65, point guard
Jasmine Lemon connected on a three-pointer from the wing to give ISU the lead they would never relinquish.
Megan Hochstein and Anna Lee Policicchio provided two key defensive stops on the final possessions to seal the win.
"Apiphany gave me a great pass," Lemon said of the clutch moment. "I knew my team needed a big shot and I was wide open,"
The senior point guard scored a season-high 15 points while also pulling down a career-high nine rebounds.
"I think it's an example of how our team tried to accomplish something collectively," Sobolewski said of Lemon's nine boards. "We knew against North Dakota we had to rebound. Jasmine took that personally. That's huge. It shows she had a great attitude and the team bought into what we were trying to do."
Apiphany Woods tied her career-high with 23 points. It's the fifth time she has scored 20 or more this season.
"I try to focus on knowing where my shots can come from," Woods said. "I try to attack to where my strengths are. I am glad that my coach and teammates have confidence in me. It helps give me confidence in myself."
"She's a really talented player and she has been one that has been coming through for us when we need big baskets," Sobolewski said. "She's got a great feel for the game. Even if she's not making baskets to keep us in the game she is kicking the ball out to people who can make shots. She is doing a great job of being a team player."
Idaho State improved to 6-1 this season when they score 70 or more points. The Bengals are 27-2 over the last four seasons when they reach that plateau.
"I think we have to keep our heads straight and keep working hard," Lemon said.
ISU picked up six victories in the month of January. It is the second most wins in a single month under Coach Sobolewski behind the 2011-12 team that finished 8-0 in January and went on to win the Big Sky championship.
"We understand that our defense was going to be the thing that would win these games," Woods said of the two home victories. "We are going into the game thinking defense."
Idaho State has just one game on the schedule next week when they travel to Ogden, Utah on Saturday February 7 to take on Weber State. Tip-off from the Dee Events Center is schedule for 2 p.m.
GAME NOTESThe Bengals are 7-1 this season when they have four players in double figures.
ISU scored 22 points off of turnovers compared to eight for UND
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