FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – The Bengals never trailed in Flagstaff as they topped Northern Arizona 80-69 Saturday afternoon. Northern Arizona fell to 5-8 and 1-3 in conference play while Idaho State secured its best start to conference play in six years. ISU is now 8-5 and 3-1 in Big Sky play amidst a three-game win streak.
"We're going to do the four [games] in eight [days] twice this year and to win three out of four, we'll take it," said Head Coach Seton Sobolewski. "Especially with two on the road. I thought we did a great job before our fatigue settled in a bit, and the foul situation made it really tough to finish that game."
Saylair Grandon took control from the start and earned ISU's second double-double of the season. The senior finished with 27 points and a career-high 11 rebounds.
"She paced us early on," Sobolewski said. "I'm really happy about that because Saylair has got all her family here. She and Montana filled up the pass list which is awesome. Just for her to have a good game like this her last year that she'll be playing here in Arizona, and close to her parents, I'm really happy for her."
Grace Kenyon nearly secured her second double-double with nine rebounds and 14 points. She also wreaked havoc on defense with five blocks. Estefania Ors finished the game with 13 points and Sai Tapasa netted 11.
Grandon gave ISU an early 6-2 lead before Northern Arizona tied the game at 10. ISU responded with a nine-point run to go back on top and the Bengals led 25-16 at the end of the first. A free throw from Ellie Smith gave the Bengals their largest lead of the half at 13 midway through the second quarter. The Lumberjacks were able to shrink the lead to nine by the intermission.
The Bengals outscored the Lumberjacks with points in the paint alone in the third quarter, stretching the lead to 18. Idaho State still led by 11 with just four minutes left, but a string of turnovers gave Northern Arizona a chance to get back in the game.
The 'Jacks got as close as five points with under a minute remaining. Despite shooting 10-19 from the charity stripe in the first three frames, the Bengals went 10-12 in the closing quarter to secure the win.
Idaho State shot over 50 percent from the field for the third-consecutive game with a 54.5 field goal percentage. With 44 points in the paint, ISU was able to abandon the long ball, resulting in an 11-point win without a three-pointer made (0-4).
This was the first time ISU failed to make a three-point attempt since Jan. 12, 2017 against Eastern Washington. It was the first win for ISU without a three-pointer since they defeated Northern Arizona at home on Jan. 17, 2015.
Northern Arizona faced a stiff ISU defense that forced 16 turnovers with six steals and nine blocks. The Lumberjacks shot 35.9 percent from the field and just 23.1 percent from three. NAU did control the boards, out-rebounding the Bengals 44-32. The 'Jacks had 18 offensive boards and tallied three more assists than ISU with 16 in all.
Lauren Orndoff led Northern Arizona with 16 points and missed just one shot from the field. Regan Schenck scored 12 points off the bench and Khiarica Rasheed, Peyton Carroll and Jacey Bailey each scored 11.
Idaho State will split the advantage next week with a road game against Weber State on Thursday and a home contest against Sacramento State on Saturday.
