Bengals Take Down NAU in Flagstaff

POCATELLO, Idaho- The Idaho State men's basketball team withstood a late Northern Arizona run to earn a 71-67 road victory in Flagstaff, Ariz., at the Walkup Skydome. This is the third straight win for the Bengals in Flagstaff.

"We like to make it as ugly as possible and we are ok with that," Idaho State coach Ryan Looney said. "We had moments were we executed our offense really well and we won the rebounding margin against a bigger team once again. At the end of the day we are always going to fight you and play hard."

Tarik Cool led Idaho State with 18 points and a season-high seven assists. Austin Smellie had 13 points and Jared Stutzman added 10. 

The Bengals shot 48.1 percent from the field, including 50 percent in the second half. ISU made 12-18 free throws for the game but was 10-14 in the second half. Idaho State was 7-18 from the three-point line.

"This was one of our better offensive performances," Looney said. "It is huge for our growth and momentum of our team."

Idaho State out rebounded NAU 37-34. Chidi Udengwu had a team-high eight while Chier Maker added seven and Malik Porter six.

"I attribute this to something our staff emphasizes and our players buy in," Looney said.

Idaho State led for all by 19 seconds of the game.

Idaho State opened the game leading 18-9 in the first eight minutes after a basket by Coreyoun Rushin. The Bengals extended their lead to 24-13 three minutes later after a basket by Cool.

Idaho State led 29-17 with 3:39 to play in the half before NAU closed out the half on a 9-2 to cut the Bengal lead to 31-26 at halftime.

Northern Arizona stayed within striking distance as it cut the ISU lead to 47-43 with 11:01 to play. ISU then scored six straight points to lead 53-43 with 8:50 left in the game.

Idaho State's biggest lead of the game was 62-44 with 6:25 left in the game thanks to a 3-pointer by Stutzman and two by Maker.

NAU made a run over the remaining minutes and cut the Idaho State lead to 70-67 with 27 seconds to play but Udengwu iced the game with a free throw in the final seconds.
 
Idaho State returns home to host Weber State on Thursday, January 16 at 7 p.m. in Reed Gym.