Bengals Drop 71-62 Contest at Northern Colorado

 
POCATELLO, Idaho- It took a second-half rally for the Northern Colorado men's basketball team to get by Idaho State on Saturday night in Greeley, Colo.

The Bengals led 32-26 at halftime and 34-26 early in the second half but eight second-half turnovers allowed the Bears to earn a 71-62 victory.

"The turnovers really hurt us in crucial situations," Idaho State coach Bill Evans said. "We need to get our offense and defense on the same page in the same game."

Alonzo Walker and Kelvin Jones led Idaho State in scoring with 14 points. Brandon Boyd had 10 points and five rebounds.

The Bengals were out rebounded 37-32 and shot 43.6 percent from the field while Northern Colorado shot 41.3 percent. The Big Sky Conference's leading scorer, Jordan Davis, scored 20 points on 6-13 shooting.

Idaho State was 10-11 from the free throw line but made only four 3-pointers on 18 attempts. Northern Colorado was 11-11 from the free throw line and 8-26 from the three-point line. The Bengals had 14 turnovers and forced the Bears in 11.

Idaho State got off to a hot start, jumping out to a 15-4 lead with 13:18 left in the first half following two free throws by Walker. During the run Jones had four points, Maker two, Boyd two, Austin Smellie two and Gary Chivichyan three.

The Bengals later led by 11 points at 17-6 with 12:49 left in the first half. Northern Colorado got within five at 21-16 and 23-18 five minutes later. With 4:21 remaining in the half Northern Colorado cut the ISU lead to 27-24 but the Bengals still went into halftime with the 32-26 lead.

ISU led 36-29 with 18:45 left in the game following a basket by Maker. Northern Colorado then went on a 9-0 run to take a 38-36 lead with 14:49 to play.

Both teams exchanged baskets over the next four minutes and Idaho State's final lead of the game was 48-46 with 9:56 to play after a 3-pointer by Jared Stutzman.

Idaho State stayed within striking distance, trailing 59-55 with 3:17 to play. Idaho State got no closer than five points the rest of the way.

Idaho State concludes the regular season next week with three home games in Holt Arena. The Bengals host Weber State on Monday, March 4 at 7 p.m. and then play Eastern Washington and Idaho on March 7 and 9. Both games begin at 7 p.m.