POCATELLO, Idaho- It was a record setting day for the Idaho State men's basketball team. The Bengals defeated West Coast Baptist 102-43 on Wednesday evening in Reed Gym.
The 59 point win was the largest margin of victory for the program. The previous record was 56 vs. Western State on January 16, 1959.
Idaho State also set a school record for best field goal percentage in a game. ISU made 44-of-61 field goals, good for a percentage of 72.1. The previous record was 70.7 vs. Boise State on March 5, 1987.
The Bengals played 12 players and all 12 scored in the game.
Austin Smellie had a career-high 16 points and was a perfect 7-7 from the field.
Jared Stutzman had 16 on 7-8 shooting.
Chidi Udengwu tied his career-high with 13 points and he had a career-best 12 rebounds.
Coreyoun Rushin added 10 points.
Idaho State out rebound West Coast Baptist 42-19. The Bengals had 26 assists to only nine turnovers while forcing 16 Eagle turnovers.
No Bengal player saw more than 26 minutes on the court. Udengwu played a career-best 26 minutes.
Idaho State led the entire game. With 13:27 left in the first half the Bengals held a 16-15 lead. ISU ended the half on a 37-3 run to lead 53-18 at halftime. West Coast's only basket during this stretch was a 3-pointer with under a minute to play in the half.
The Bengals slowly extended their second-half lead to 42 at 78-36 after
Tarik Cool free throws with 9:37 left in the game. The lead ballooned to 51 at 87-36 a little over three minutes later and the final score of 102-43 was the largest lead of the game.
Idaho State returns to the court on Dec. 6 at 7 p.m. for a contest at Pepperdine.
Notes
- Idaho State has out rebounded its opponents in all six games.
- The Bengals are 3-0 when leading at halftime.
- It is the first time this season the Bengals committed less than 10 turnovers.
