Women's Basketball Drops 68-59 Decision to Visiting Sacramento State

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POCATELLO, Idaho – The Idaho State women's basketball team limited Sacramento State to 68 points, the lowest offensive output by the Hornets this season, but the defensive effort was not enough to offset the high-tempo Hornets as ISU fell 68-59 Thursday night at the ICCU Court at Reed Gym.

Three players finished in double-figures for the Bengals, led by senior guard Apiphany Woods with a game-high 19. Freshman guard Isabel Vara de Rey added 12 in her second-career start, and senior forward Anna Policicchio chipped in 10.

Idaho State (7-8, 0-4 BSC) started off hot, racing out to a 7-0 lead in the first three minutes, shaking off its offensive woes from the last few games. The Bengals extended that lead to 10 points, 11-1 with layup from junior guard Brooke Blair at the 5:02 mark. Vara de Rey followed up with another easy two a few possessions later to extend the lead to 11, 13-2. However, Sac State (6-9, 3-1 BSC) responded, scoring 11 points in the final 2:24 to cut ISU's lead to six, 19-13, heading into the second.

The second began with an old-fashioned three-point play, courtesy of Vara de Rey for the 22-13 lead just 15 seconds after the start of the quarter. But consecutive baskets from the Hornets generated a quick five-point swing, cutting ISU's lead to four 22-18 less than 20 seconds later. Idaho State held its composure, combated Sac State's full-court pressure and capped a 10-2 run to gain its largest lead of the night at 12 with 3:39 remaining in the half. The Hornets responded with a run of their own, closing the quarter on a 10-0 rampage to cut ISU's lead to two, 32-30, heading into the break.

In the third, the story line quickly changed. After the Bengals allowed just six made-three pointers off of 20 Sacramento State attempts in the first half, the Hornets, who average nearly 48 three-point attempts per game, began driving the ball relentlessly. ISU struggled to stop the drive, resulting in a 16-6 advantage in the paint for the Hornets. The Bengals kept it close and headed into the fourth down six, 51-45.

The final quarter began with four-straight Hornet points, and the Bengals faced a double-digit deficit, 55-45, with 7:46 remaining. Idaho State clawed back, outscoring Sacramento State 9-2 over the next 3:41 to cut the lead to three, 57-54 with 3:44 remaining. The Bengals were unable to score a field goal over the next 3:10 until Woods sunk a contested trey with 34 seconds left to bring ISU within five, 64-59. The Bengals missed their final two attempts and Sacramento converted at the line in the final seconds to secure the win, 68-59.  

"I'm really proud of our effort," Head Coach Seton Sobolewski said. "We defended really well and we had one of our lowest turnover counts this season. Sac State forces an average of 27 turnovers a game… and we only had 17 turnovers. So I'm very proud of that fact. An offensive rebound here or there…make a layup here or there and things are different I think. Overall, we played really well, especially on the defensive side."

Sacramento State finished with three players in double-figures, led by Adella Randle-El with 15 points and a game-high 11 rebounds. Brianna Burgos also finished with 15 points, and Gretchen Harrigan chipped in 10.

The Bengals are back in action Jan. 16 as they host the Vikings of Portland State at 2 p.m. at the ICCU Court at Reed Gym.