POCATELLO, Idaho- Defense has always been a staple of the Idaho State women's basketball team. In the 63-58 win over Idaho on Thursday night in Moscow, the Vandals were held to 30.4 percent shooting from the field and a conference play low of 58 points. A stark contrast from their season average 71.9 points per game.
ISU shot 31.5 percent and fought through a five-minute scoring drought in the first quarter. The Bengals trailed 16-11 at the end of the first quarter after a 3-pointer by Konate with 51 seconds left to play in the period.
Idaho State fell behind 21-11 two minutes into the second quarter. The Bengals didn't give up and outscored Idaho 18-8 to tie the game at 29 at halftime. ISU scored the final six points of the quarter to tie the game.
The Bengals stayed in the game the first half thanks to solid defense. The Bengals held the Vandals to 26.3 percent from the field while the Bengals shot 31 percent.
Idaho State took its first lead at 31-29 on a basket by Delany Moore with 8:54 left in the third quarter. It was the first lead since the nine-minute mark of the first quarter.
The Bengals built a 39-33 lead with 4:03 left in the third after a jumper by Bourne. Idaho countered with a 9-0 run to retake the lead at 42-39 but the Bengals then outscored Idaho 8-2 to lead 47-44 at the end of the third quarter.
With 3:30 left to play in the game, Idaho took a three-point 56-53 lead after a pair of made free-throws. The Bengals responded with a quick jump shot by Konate followed by a layup by Callie Bourne to give the Bengals the 57-56-point lead with 2:48 to play.
Both teams battled back and forth over the final two minutes when, with 18 seconds to play, Goles hit a clutch jump shot to give the Bengals the 61-58 lead and close out the Bengals 63-58 win.
The Bengals shot 40.6 percent from the field, with Goles leading the team with 14 points on 6-14 from the field. Three other Bengals shot in the double-digits. Konate followed with 13 points, Estefania Ors scored 11 points and Delaney Moore had 10.
The teams were even on the boards with both teams grabbing 43 rebounds. Three Bengals grabbed seven boards.
The Bengals dominated the Vandals out blocking them 10-1. The 10 blocks are a team-season high. Ellie Smith had a season high five blocks. Smith also contributed with a season high two steals.
The Bengals are back in action Saturday for game two of the Battle of the Domes at 1:00 p.m. MST.
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