POCATELLO, Idaho – The Idaho State Bengals lead for all 40 minutes in their 61-55 win over California Baptist Saturday afternoon.
The Lancers were able to storm back in the fourth quarter and tie the game at 50, but the Bengals held strong and closed out the game on an 11-5 run.
The Bengals move to 3-4 on the season and now return home for a game against St. Thomas in Reed on Saturday, Dec. 3.
Coach Sobolewski's Thoughts
"This was a tough game against a tough opponent." Remarked Head Coach Seton Sobolewski post-game.
"We came out and set the pace early. Having three players with double-doubles is phenomenal. I can't remember that ever happening before since I've been at Idaho State."
"The ending was a little rough, but that was a very good experience for our young team. Next time we are in that situation I think we will handle it better."
How it Happened
The game got off to a hot start with the Bengals going up on the Lacers 6-0 after FGs by Kacey Spink, Finley Garnett and Callie Bourne.
The two teams traded baskets in in the 1st and the period ended with a Laura Bello offensive rebound putback to give the Bengals a 14-12 lead into the 2nd period.
If this Bengal squad needed an example for dominant, they would show the 2nd quarter of this game.
Over 10 minutes, the Bengal defense shot 47.1 percent from the floor and 66.7 percent from three as the Bengals routed the Lancers, outscoring them by 17 points.
While the offense was impressive, the Bengal defense was even more so, holding CBU to just three points in the entire period, all of them coming from free throws. The Idaho State Bengals held California Baptist to 0 field goals in the entire second period (0-12, 0-9 3ptr).
To cap off the first half, Bridee Bridee Burks took a pass from Bourne and nailed a three-pointer as the buzzer sounded and the Bengals jogged into the locker room up 64-15.
The third quarter continued with both team trading baskets and the fourth quarter started with a 46-30 Bengal advantage.
The Lancers were not done though, and capitalizing on Bengal turnovers and lighting up the three-point line, the CBU lancers eventually tied the game at 50 with a free throw.
This young Bengal squad had a decision to make, step up or back down, the Bengals stepped up.
Coming off of a Spink offensive rebound, Carsyn Boswell got the Bengals going with a three-pointer. Bourne then stepped up as a leader, hitting a second-chance layup and then a free throw to give the Bengals a 56-52 lead with 0:34 to play.
With seven seconds left in the game, Bridee Burks stepped up to the free throw line and nailed a pair of shots, pushing the game to a two-possession lead for the Bengals and giving the team the breathing room it needed for Laura Bello to hit a layup as time expired capping the Bengals 61-55 victory.
Bengal Bites
· Three Bengals recorded double-doubles against the Lancers. Kacey Spink had her first career double-double (15 points 13 rebounds), Callie Bourne, her second of the season (16 points, 10 rebounds) and Laura Bello capped off a dominant weekend with her second consecutive double-double (12 points, 13 rebounds).
· This was only the 2nd time in ISU women's basketball history that three separate players had over 10 rebounds (first time, Jan. 14, 2021 against Sac State)
· Bridee Burks had a career-high 10 points against the Lancers, going a perfect five-of-five from the free throw line.
· Turnovers hurt the Bengals, CBU was able to score 35 points off of 26 Bengal turnovers in the game.
· ISU controlled the paint and second chance opportunities scoring 28 in the paint and 19 off of second chances.
· Idaho State finished the game with a remarkable +30 rebounding margin, outrebounding the Lancers 57-27!
Social Bites
Up Next
The Bengals are back home next week hosting the NCAA DI St. Thomas Tommies in Reed Gym on Dec. 3 at 2:00 PM
