POCATELLO, Idaho- The Idaho State men's basketball team lost 80-68 to Montana on Saturday night in Reed Gym. First-place Montana has now won nine straight games and improved to 19-6 and 12-2 in Big Sky Conference play. Idaho State dropped to 9-15 and 5-10 in league.
Montana shot 55 percent from the field and held the Bengals to 39 percent.
Balint Mocsan led ISU in scoring with 18 points and
Alonzo Walker had a season-high 16 points.
The Bengals were out rebounded 36-28.
Chier Maker had a team-high seven rebounds. Idaho State was 9-21 from the three-point line and Montana made 10 on 22 attempts.
Idaho State opened the game jumping out to a 15-6 lead in the first six minutes thanks to two 3-pointers by Mocsan and one by Maker. The Bengals maintained its nine point at 18-9 after a 3-pointer by
Gary Chivichyan and then 20-11 after a jumper by Walker with 12:32 left in the game.
With 5:44 left in the first half Idaho State led 29-22 after two free throws by Mocsan. Montana then closed out the first half on an 18-3 run to take a 40-32 lead at halftime.
In the first six minutes of the second half Idaho State got within four points at 44-40 on a 3-pointer by Boyd and then again at 48-44 and 50-46 with 14:46 left in the game.
The Bengals cut the Griz lead to 57-54 with 10:27 to play after another 3-pointer from Mocsan. Montana then went on another 18-3 run to lead 75-57 with 5:01 to play.
Idaho State got no closer than 11 points the rest of the way.
Idaho State plays at Portland State on Feb. 21 at 8 p.m.
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