Bengals Drop 82-71 Decision at Sacramento State

 
POCATELLO, Idaho- The Idaho State men's basketball team dropped an 82-71 decision at Sacramento State on Thursday night at the Hornets Net.

Idaho State was held to 36 percent shooting from the field while Sacramento State shot 52 percent. ISU was 10-32 from the three-point line while the Hornets were 8-20.  Sacramento State made 22 free throws on 26 attempts while ISU was 9-14 from the line.

The Bengals only turned the ball over nine times and forced 17 turnovers but was out rebounded 42-35.

"We have to make shots if we want to win games and we have to do a better job guarding people," Idaho State coach Bill Evans said. "If you don't make shots you are not going to win games. We were out rebounded, their shooting percentage was higher and that is a recipe for disaster."

Ethan Telfair scored 23 points on 8-24 shooting. He had seven rebounds and four assists. Gary Chivichyan scored 21 points, all from the three-point line, on 7-17 shooting.

"Gary is a good shooter and he made some tonight," Evans said. "I thought Telfair really competed tonight."

The Bengals led 33-29 at halftime but in the final 20 minutes the Hornets shot 58 percent while ISU shot 34 percent from the field. ISU made only five 3-pointers on 21 attempts in the second period.

The Bengals were held scoreless during the first three minutes of the second half, allowing the Hornets to take a lead that they would never relinquish. ISU got within two points at 50-48 with nine minutes left in the contest thanks to a Chivichyan 3-pointer but that would be the closest the Bengals would get.

In the first half, ISU trailed 27-23 before Chivichyan and Erik Nakken each hit 3-pointers to give the Bengals a 30-27 lead. Luzcando then converted a three-point play to up the Bengal lead 33-27 in the final minute of the half.

Idaho State plays at Portland State on Saturday, January 16 at 8 p.m. mountain time.