Gallery: (2-12-2022) Idaho State vs. Eastern Washington
POCATELLO, Idaho - Idaho State women's basketball took down the Eastern Washington Eagles 79-62 Inside Reed gym Saturday afternoon.
The Bengals (16-8, 12-3 BSC) led from the first tip to the final buzzer and the Eagles (5-17, 3-10), while pulling to within one, were unable to close the gap and the Bengals pulled away.
The Bengals got rolling in the first quarter, trading baskets with the Eagles before pulling out to a nine-point 14-5 lead after a made three-pointer by Tomekia Whitman with 5:20 to play in the period.
Eastern was able to pull the game back to within three but the Bengals didn't flinch and in the final 1:15 of the first, scored five points to take an eight-point 21-13 lead into the second.
The Eagles came back ferociously in the second quarter. After a made layup by Diaba Konate with 6:20 to play in the 2nd, the Bengals had a 19-point lead and were looking to put the game out of reach. The Eagles had other ideas.
From 6:20 to 1:17 the Eagles went on a 16-2 run to cut the lead to six at 30-36 the Bengals held tough though and held onto a five-point lead into the locker room.
Coming out of the second the Eagles pressed, cutting the Bengal lead to the smallest margin of the night, one point with 8:11 to play.
The Bengals had two options, fold or take back the game, they chose the latter. Ellie Smith pitched it to Callie Bourne at the top of the arc and Bourne drained a three. The Bengals pulled down the defensive rebound and on the next possession Ors got it to Whitman who drained another three pointer. Just like that the lead was back to seven.
The Eagles tried to comeback but the Bengals had their confidence back. By the end of the period the Bengals were pulling back to leads of nine and 10 and headed it the final quarter with energy and drive.
Dora Goles took that energy into the first play of the fourth quarter, stripping the ball from the Eagles, driving the court and making a fastbreak layup to put the score at 59-50.
The Bengals would go on to outscore the Eagles 22-12 in the period growing the lead to as much as 19 points to the delight of the Bengal faithful in the stands.
The Bengals closed the game strong and put the middle of the game behind them as they ran away with the 79-62 victory over the Eagles.
Three Bengals scored in double-digits to lead the way offensively.
Whitman had a standout game once again, scoring 22 points on nine-of-13 from the floor and three-of-six from three. She came up just short of a double-double with nine boards and also tacked on an assist.
Callie Bourne had an amazing game for the Orange and Black with a monster double-double. The Senior had 17 points on seven shots. She tied her career record in boards with 14 and had 7 assists.
Oltrogge also lit it up on the floor, scoring 16 points on six-of-11 from the floor.
The Eagles just edged out the Bengals on the boards 45-44. The Bengals won the defensive rebound battle though, 32-29.
Idaho State forced EWU into 16 turnovers and took advantage scoring 23 points on those 16.
The Bengals also controlled the paint, scoring 42 points on the stripes.
For the fifth time this season, the Bengals recorded 20+ assists in a game. Getting 21 this evening on 32 made shots.
The Orange and Black are on the road this next week to take on the UNC Bears Thursday, Feb. 17 at Noon and the Sac State Hornets Feb. 19 at 3:00 PM MT.
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