Men's Basketball Falls at Montana

 
POCATELLO, Idaho- The Idaho State men's basketball team lost 88-77 to the University of Montana on Thursday evening in Missoula. Both teams shot 50 percent or greater from the field as the Bengals finished the evening shooting 50 percent and Montana 59 percent.

ISU had four players in double figures led by Chris Hansen's 20 points. Freshman Geno Luzcando had a season-high 18 points, five steals and three assists.

"He played well," Idaho State coach Bill Evans said on Luzcando. "He is a fearless guy. He is going to be a really good player."

 Ben Wilson had a career-high 14 points, five rebounds and four assists while Jeffrey Solarin had 13 points and seven rebounds.

Idaho State was 24-for-48 from the field and made 20-for-25 from the free throw line. ISU made nine 3-pointers but Montana was 12-for-24 from the three-point line.

Montana had five players score in double figures, led by Marin Breunig's 22 points and eight rebounds.

"The big kid is the difference on their team," Evans said. "Montana is good enough to win the tournament and Breunig is good. I knew he was good."

Idaho State never led in the game and trailed by as many as 19 points in the first half.  ISU trailed 44-30 at halftime but would cut the Griz lead to 56-51 with 10:03 left in the game after a Nnamdi Ezenwa layup. The five point deficit was the closest ISU would get.
 
Idaho State plays at Montana State on Saturday, Feb. 21 at 2:35 p.m.