POCATELLO, Idaho- Idaho State dropped a 91-77 contest to Portland State on Saturday afternoon at the Pamplin Sports Center at Lewis and Clark University in Portland, Ore.
The Bengals led 38-34 at halftime but the Vikings shot 63 percent in the second half and made 7-11 from the three-point line to spark the run.
"In the first half they were 4-18 from the three-point line and in the second half they were 7-11," Idaho State coach
Bill Evans said. "That sums everything up. We didn't do a good job guarding them in the second half. They are a real good team as they beat two Pac 12 teams earlier in the year."
Idaho State had four players score in double figures led by
Brandon Boyd's 17 points.
Jared Stutzman and
Geno Luzcando each had 15 and
Balint Mocsan had 12 points off the bench in 25 minutes of play.
Idaho State was out rebounded 42-33 but
Novak Topalovic had 14 to lead ISU.
Portland State shot 35.9 percent in the first half, making only 4 of 18 3-pointers. Idaho State was 7-13 from the three-point line in the first half.
"I am disappointed we lost but as the same time we competed hard and did some good things," Evans said.
In the final period, Portland State was 19-30 from the field, made 12-16 free throws and seven 3-pointers on the 11 attempts. Idaho State was 13-28 from the field in the second half (46.4 percent) and was 6-15 from the three-point line.
Idaho State had 16 assists, led by Mocsan's five and had 12 turnovers. Portland State had 24 assists to only five turnovers.
Portland State led 18-14 with 12:28 left in the first half. The Bengals then went on a 15-6 run to take a 29-24 lead with 5:19 left in the period after a free throw by Topalovic. The run was led by Mocsan who had seven points during the spurt.
Idaho State built a 38-31 lead with 2:16 left until the break after two free throws by Topalovic. The Vikings then scored the final three points to cut the ISU lead to 38-34 at halftime.
Stutzman hit a 3-pointer to open the second half to give the Bengals a 41-34 lead 15 seconds in. Portland State then scored the next eight points to take a 42-41 lead with 17:22 left in the game.
The game was tied at 47 with 15:43 left in the game and then with 13 minutes left the Vikings held a 53-52 lead.
Idaho State tied the game at 55 but was never able to regain the lead. The Vikings then outscored ISU 20-8 to take a 75-63 lead with 5:29 to play. Idaho State got no closer than seven points the rest of the way.
Idaho State plays its final two home games this week vs. Idaho on Feb. 22 and Eastern Washington on Feb. 24. Both games begin at 7 p.m. in Reed Gym.
"I like my team," Evans said. "We are going to continue to work. I thought Geno was terrific tonight. Novak rebounded the ball well. We had a lot of guys play well."
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