Furious Comeback Comes Up Just Short at SUU

CEDAR CITY, Utah – A career-night from point guard Jasmine Lemon helped spark a furious comeback that came up just short as the Idaho State women's basketball (11-13, 6-7 BSC) team fell 76-75 to Southern Utah Saturday night at Centrum Arena.

The Bengals found themselves down 36-19 with 7:38 left in the first half.  The Thunderbirds were shooting nearly 60% and the home team appeared destined to run away with a big victory. ISU would not go away though, immediately responding with a 7-0 run and eventually trailing by just seven at halftime.

"This was a much different game than at Northern Arizona (Thursday)," Head Coach Seton Sobolewski said. "We were much more competitive and played harder."

The momentum continued in Idaho State's favor into the second half as the Bengals put together a 13-2 run capped by an and-one by Jasmin Lemon that put ISU up 59-55. The Washington native collected a career-high 23 points on the evening.

This time it was T-Birds turn to respond with an 8-0 run of their own to regain the lead at 63-59 with 8:10 left to play.

The two teams traded baskets back and forth before Lemon connected on her fourth three-pointer of the game to tie the contest, then Rebecca Schrimpsher hit a layup to put the Bengals ahead 69-67 with 4:16 to go.

Once again the hot-shooting (52.9%) from SUU would respond. Back-to-back baskets helped the T-Birds regain the lead which they would stretch to 76-71 with only 1:39 remaining.

Like a prized fighter on the canvas ISU shook off the daunting deficit and regained their composure for one final push.  Anna Lee Policicchio made two free-throws to trim to T-Birds lead to three then Lemon connected on a jumper with just 1:01 left to make the SUU lead just one.

After a steal by Rebecca Schrimpsher, Idaho State had the ball and a chance to win, however Apiphany Woods shot with eight seconds left would not fall and SUU would escape with the 76-75 victory.

"We did a great job with all of the hustle stats," Sobolewski said. "We had 16 offensive rebounds, forced 19 turnovers and had seven steals.  We just had untimely turnovers and SUU shot the lights out. I am very proud of our effort tonight."

Apiphany Woods finished with 19 points, seven rebounds and seven assists. Anna Lee Policicchio added 14 points and five rebounds while Grace Kenyon had 10 points.

It is the first loss this season (3-1) for ISU in a game decided by one possession.

The loss drops the team into a tie for seventh place in the Big Sky standings with just five games left in the season.  The top eight teams make the post-season tournament.

The Bengals return home for three consecutive home games over the next two weeks. They will welcome Big Sky Conference leading Montana to the ICCU Court inside Reed Gym on Thursday February 19 before Montana State pays a visit to Pocatello on Saturday February 21.  The team will close out their home regular season schedule Saturday February 28 when they host Weber State for senior night.