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POCATELLO, Idaho – The Idaho State women's basketball team upended Westminster College 83-45 Thursday evening at the ICCU Court at Reed Gym in its final nonconference game of the season. The win marked the eighth of the year for the Bengals to give them an 8-3 overall record which ties for the best start in school history.
Idaho State (8-3) was led by sophomore guard Estefania Ors with 17 points including a sizzling 5-of-6 performance from beyond-the-arc. Three other players reached double-figures, with each scoring 13 points apiece: junior forward
Grace Kenyon, senior guard
Brooke Blair and sophomore guard Dora Goles. The rebounding effort was well-distributed as each player that saw the floor corralled at least two boards. Kenyon led the rebounding effort with a game-high seven.
"I think it was really important to work out any cobwebs," Head Coach
Seton Sobolewski said. "Our last game was [12] days ago, so to get out there again, start playing and remembering how we do things."
Idaho State wasted no time in getting back to business, racing out to a 23-11 lead after the first 10 minutes. The second quarter was nearly identical as the Bengals shot 46 percent from the floor for 24 points. Idaho State led by 22 points, 47-25, heading into the break.
"I think we played really well as a team today," Kenyon said. "It felt like everyone was getting the ball and getting touches, and I think that's what led to our success today."
Through the first 20 minutes, seven Bengals had scored while both Blair and Ors had reached double-figures with 11 each. ISU had seven assists on 16 made field goals and was shooting 48 percent from the floor; the Bengals were also playing stellar defense, forcing 11 Griffin turnovers and limiting them to 34 percent shooting in the first half.
The Bengals continued their offensive show in the third quarter, shooting 80 percent from the floor for 20 points while limiting Westminster (4-6) to just 13 points. ISU built a 29-point advantage by the end of the third to lead 67-38.
Idaho State opened the fourth quarter on 12-0 run to gain its largest lead of the night, 79-38. The Bengals limited the Griffins to seven points in the final period and cruised to the 83-45 win.
"I think one of the best emphases we have is taking the best shot for the team," Kenyon said. "When you have a lot of players on your team that can score and take shots, that makes it a lot easier."
"I think we share the ball well," Sobolewski said. "You look at Utah Valley, and we had 27 assists on 27 baskets. Then we had 17 assists tonight too. We find the open teammate, and the open teammate has been making shots. I think we are unselfish; everyone has a different night."
Idaho State continues play at home Saturday with its conference opener against Weber State at 2 p.m. at the ICCU Court at Reed Gym.
NOTES
- ISU's 8-3 record ties the best record in school history through the first 11 games. Two other teams have matched that record: 1976-77 team and the 2007-08 team. The 1976-77 squad finished 15-4 overall, while the 2007-08 squad finished 20-10.
- The Bengals' 17 assists mark the fifth time this season that they have finished with at least 17 assists.
- Idaho State limited Westminster to just 45 points, 11.2 points below its season average of 56.2.
