Bengals Blow By Bears

GREELEY, Colo.- Brayden Parker put together another career night as he scored 26 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to lead Idaho State to a 71-56 win at Northern Colorado on Wednesday evening at Bank of Colorado Arena.

The Bengals led for 37 minutes and 57 seconds of the game and led by as many as 20 points in the first half.

Idaho State shot 57 percent for the game and Parker scored his 26 points on 8-13 shooting from the field. Tarik Cool had 13 points and Malik Porter had 13 points and five rebounds off the bench. Robert Ford III had 10 points, six rebounds and four assists.

The Bengals out rebounded UNC 32-25 and had 20 points off the bench. 

Other than an early 4-2 Bear lead in the opening minute of the game, Idaho State led the entire way. Idaho State led 8-7 with 16:49 left in the first half. The Bengals then went on a 14-2 run over the next four minutes to lead 22-9 after a basket by Zach Visentin with 11:55 left until halftime.

Later in the half the Bengals went on a 10-0 run to lead 35-15 with four minutes left in the half.

The Bengals led 40-29 at halftime thanks 17 first half points by Parker.

Northern Colorado got no closer than eight points in the second half at 44-36. ISU then went on a 10-1 run to lead 54-37 after a layup by Cool with 10:29 left in the game. The lead ballooned back to 20 points at two different points in the final 10 minutes of the game.

Idaho State returns to Big Sky action on Dec. 31 at 7 p.m. vs. Weber State in Reed Gym.
 
Notes
- The win snapped an eight game losing streak to Northern Colorado.
- Robert Ford III has scored in double figures in eight straight games.
- Brayden Parker had a career-game for the second-straight game with 26 points on 8-13 shooting. He had 21 points on Tuesday vs. the Bears.
- All four of the Bengal wins have come when holding opponents to under 60 points.