POCATELLO, Idaho- The Idaho State men's basketball team lost at Sacramento State on Saturday night, 68-49.
The Hornets (8-4, 1-2) led the entire game and led by as many as 25 in the second half. Idaho State (5-7, 2-1) was led by 12 points from
Chidi Udengwu. He also had a game-high nine rebounds.
"For the first time all year, especially early we didn't compete," Idaho State coach
Ryan Looney said. "We dug ourselves in a hole early and we can't do that in conference play. We didn't defend hard. They executed most of what they wanted to on the offensive end."
The Bengals shot 39.6 percent from the floor while Sacramento State finished shooting 49.2 percent. Idaho State was out rebounded 36-26.
"Sac State is the best defensive team in the conference and the best rebounding team in the conference," Looney said. "They are better than a team that was picked to finish ninth. We played against a good team."
Austin Smellie had 10 points, all coming in the second half.
The game was tied at nine four minutes in but the Hornets then went on a 17-0 run to take a 26-9 lead with 8:45 left in the first half. Idaho State would trail 39-19 at halftime.
The closest Idaho State would get in the second half was 16 at 48-32.
Idaho State returns to Reed Gym on Thursday, January 9 for a 7 p.m. contest vs. SUU.
