Bengals Open Big Sky Play at Montana

Notes | Audio | Video | Live Stats

POCATELLO, Idaho- The Idaho State men's basketball team begins Big Sky Conference play two games in the state of Montana. The Bengals play at Montana on Thursday, Dec. 29, at 7 p.m. and then travel to Bozeman to play Montana State on Saturday, Dec. 31 at 2 p.m. Jerry Miller will call the action live on 102.5 KMGI. To follow the game online with live video, audio and stats log onto isubengals.com.
 
Series vs. Montana
Montana leads the series 100-46. The Bengals lost 90-77 in Pocatello last year.  Montana has won 12 straight with ISU's last win being 67-65 on Dec. 31, 2009 in Pocatello. Montana has won seven straight in Missoula over the Bengals. ISU's last win at Montana was 56-54 during the 2007-08 season.

Scouting  Montana
Montana is 5-8 and scoring 71.7 points a game. Ahmaad Rorie leads the Griz in scoring at 15.5 points a game. Walter Wright is scoring 9.8 and Sayeed Pridgett 9.2. Fabijan Krslovic leads Montana in rebounds at 7.5. Montana averages 32.7 rebounds, 13.4 assists, 5.5 steals, 2.8 blocks and 13.1 turnovers a game. The Griz shoot .768 from the free throw line, .367 percent from the 3-point line. and .438 percent from the field.

Series vs. Montana State
Montana State leads the series 106-85. ISU won 76-69 in Pocatello last year. Each team has won on their home court the last four years. Idaho State's last win in Bozeman was 87-86 on Feb. 2, 2012.

Tough Nonconference Schedule
The Idaho State men's basketball team played a tough nonconference schedule as the Division I opponents have a combined record of 80-57. CSU (3-9), NJIT (6-8) and Eastern Kentucky are the only teams with a losing record (6-8). Wisconsin is 12-2, Texas Tech 11-1, New Mexico 7-5, Utah Valley 6-6, Utah State 6-5, Boise State 7-4, Lamar 7-5 and BYU 9-4.

Liggins Redshirt Pulled
Against Bristol on Dec. 10, Keshawn Liggins was pulled from his redshirt. The Bengal junior played 19 minutes and had a team-high seven rebounds. He started and scored four points in the win over Montana Tech. He earned his first start at Boise State on Dec. 18.

Bengals in Conference Openers
Idaho State has not won a conference opener on the road since beating Northern Colorado 76-65 on Jan 3, 2008. Since that season the Bengals are 0-5 in conference openers on the road and 3-0 in conference openers at home.

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