Gallery: (2-26-2022) WBB Senior Day vs PSU
POCATELLO, Idaho - Idaho State staged a late game comeback win Saturday afternoon in front of a loud, energetic Reed Gym crowd. It was an emotional 2022 senior day as the Bengals (19-9, 15-4) defeated the Portland State Vikings (5-20, 0-17) 67-64.
With 3:09 remaining in the game, Portland State held a five point lead before the Bengals came roaring back.
The day started with an emotional senior day ceremony. Idaho State had seven seniors walk this afternoon; Lili Bevao, Ivvana Murillo, Finley Garnett, Ellie Smith, Dora Goles and Estefania Ors.
The Vikings started the game showing that they were not going to just roll over to the No. 1 team in the Big Sky, scoring 16 first quarter points.
Oltrogge took over early for the Bengals, scoring nine first-quarter points with two treys.
The Bengals controlled the second quarter, outscoring the Vikings 19-10. While the Vikings were able to pull the game to within three with 1:25 in the half, the Bengals scored five straight in the final minute of of the half to take a seven-point 33-26 lead into the locker room.
The first half was a back and forth affair, with six lead changes and five ties between the two programs.
Never giving up, the Bengals were still out scored 21-15 in the 3rd quarter and took a slim 48-47 lead into the final 10 minutes.
Ors opened the fourth driving to the basket and hitting a layup to give the Bengals a three-point 50-57 lead. After trading baskets, Portland state took a two-point lead off of a pair of free throws.
The Bengals were unable to capitalize on their offensive chances and with 4:03 remaining in the game, the Vikings held a six-point 58-52 lead.
That's when the Bengal seniors went to work.
Oltrogge got the ball rolling with a layup, cutting the Viking lead to four 58-54.
With the hopes of the Bengal crowd behind them Goles hit a pull-up jump shot to cut the lead to two and then as the Senior Day crow held its breath, hit a pull up three-pointer with 1:43 on the clock to give the Bengals a one-point 63-62 lead.
As the crowd went wild, the Bengals were gaining momentum. The Vikings fouled Diaba Konate and she drained both of her free throws putting the Bengals up three.
Portland State responded with a field goal made to cut the lead to one and this was the moment the Bengals needed. After trading two baskets Ors went to the line and hit a free throw to put the Bengals up two 66-64.
WIth eight seconds left the Vikings inbounded the ball for a chance at a last second shot. Tomekia Whitman stepped up and got one of the biggest steals of the year.
The Bengals would go on to draw a foul and Oltrogge would hit the final free throw to give the Bengals the winning 67-64 spread. While the Vikings attempted a last shot, the Bengal defense held strong and closed out the game.
For the 23rd time in the last 24 games the Bengals defended Reed Gym coming away with a win.
As it should be on senior day, the Bengal seniors led the team to the victory. Oltrogge finished with a team high 18 points. She hit her 130th career three-pointer to tie for ninth all-time with Saylair Grandon.
Goles finished with 10 points on four-of-six shooting with two threes and Ors had nine.
Garnett came up with three boards and had a vital steal.
The Bengals out rebounded the Vikings 41-34 with 17 offensive boards leading to 13 second chance points.
The Bengals have one remaining game Wednesday, March 2 when they head to Cedar City, Utah to take on the Southern Utah Thunderbirds
Follow along at ISUBengals.com to keep up to date with the Bengals.
