Bengals outlast Portland State 69-67

PHOTO GALLERY

POCATELLO, Idaho- In a game that had 11 ties and 17 lead changes, the Idaho State men's basketball team outlasted Portland State 69-67 on Saturday.

Idaho State led 69-64 with 1:23 left in the game and survived two-last second shot attempts by the Vikings to earn the victory.

Gary Chivichyan led the Bengals with 16 points making four of eight 3-pointers. Balint Mocsan and Brandon Boyd each had 14 points and four assists. Kelvin Jones had 10 rebounds, seven points and two assists. Alonzo Walker had 10 points and six rebounds.

The Bengals shot 50.9 percent from the field, holding Portland State to 43.3 percent. Idaho State made nine 3-pointers on 25 attempts and had 15 assists to only seven turnovers.

The game was close the entire way as Idaho State's biggest lead was seven points and Portland State's biggest lead was three.

The Bengals trailed 30-29 with 3:59 left in the first half before going on a 9-5 run to end the half up 38-35. Chivichyan hit a 3-pointer to begin the run, followed by two 3-pointers by Mocsan.  

ISU held its largest lead of the game at 56-49 following a 3-pointer by Chivichyan with 13:10 left in game. With 4:37 remaining, the game was tied at 62 for the eleventh and final time. ISU then went on a 7-2 run to take a 69-64 lead with 1:23 to play. The Bengal defense held tough in the final minute to earn the win.

Idaho State is back on the road on Feb. 7 at 6:30 p.m. at Northern Arizona.

Notes
- Idaho State is now 6-1 when holding opponents to under 70 points.
- Kelvin Jones had a season-high 10 rebounds.
- Alonzo Walker tied his season-high with 10 points. He has done that five times this year.
- Kelvin Jones played a season-high 32 minutes.