Bengals Beat Montana Western

 
POCATELLO, Idaho- The Idaho State men's basketball team pulled away from Montana Western on Thursday night in Holt Arena to earn a 74-66 victory.

After shooting 35.1 percent in the first half, the Bengals shot 55.6 percent in the final 20 minutes and held Montana Western to 31 percent shooting in the second half to earn the victory.

Brandon Boyd had 15 points and Gary Chivichyan had 10 points. Chier Maker had nine points and nine rebounds and Kelvin Jones had nine points and seven rebounds.

Idaho State out rebounded Montana Western 43-34 and had a season-high eight blocks, led by three from Jones and two from Boyd and Alonzo Walker.

Idaho State trailed 33-31 at halftime. Montana Western built a 48-41 lead with 14:16 left in the game. The Bengals then went on a 12-1 run to take a 53-49 lead after a free throw by Sam Dowd a 3-pointer by Maker.

Idaho State led the rest of the game and took its biggest lead of the game at 69-57 with 3:07 to play after a jumper by Jones.

Following the game Idaho State Head Coach Bill Evans said he was pleased with the play of Lyle Sutton's 10 minutes of play off the bench. Although Cedric Boone finished with 27 points for Montana Western, Evans said when Sutton was in the game he did not get off a shot.

Idaho State goes on the road for the month of December with games at Santa Clara, Utah Valley, UCSB, Idaho and Eastern Washington.

The Bengals return home to host Southern Utah on January 3 in Holt Arena.

Notes
- This was Gary Chivichyan's first start of the season.  He has now scored in double figures in three straight games.
- 43 rebounds is the second most by the team this year.
- Idaho State's 3-3 start is the best start by a Bengal team since the 2013-14 team started 3-3 and its the second best start since the 2005-06 team started 5-1.