POCATELLO, Idaho – Idaho State women's basketball fell 76-73 in Overtime to Wyoming in the opening round of the 2022 WNIT.
The Bengals finish the 2021-22 season with a 19-12 record and outright regular-season Big Sky Conference Champions.
The Bengals and Cowgirls played neck and neck the entire 45 minutes in a game that saw 11 lead changes and nine times tied.
The Bengals hit the ground running and in one of the better offensive performances of the season, the Orange and Black shot 47.5 from the floor on 28-of-59 shooting. They stayed hot from three, shooting 40 percent with eight made threes and took advantage of their limited trips to the line, hitting nine-of-10 from the charity stripe.
In her final game, Dora Goles led the team with 24 points on eight-of-14 shooting from the floor with five made threes. With 2 minutes remaining in the game, Goles was fouled on a three point attempt and showing her experience, went up to the line and drained all three to tie the game at 63 a piece.
The Cowgirls were sent to the free throw line with 30 seconds left and were able to tie the game. The score would remain knotted and the two teams would go to overtime.
With 1:44 remaining in the overtime period, the Cowgirls went up eight off of a pair of made free-throws. The Bengals never game up. Callie Bourne nailed four consecutive free throws and Goles hit a three capping a 7-0 run to pull within 1.
The Cowgirls went to the line once again and extended the lead to three. Goles had a chance to tie the game but was just off, Wyoming grabbed the board and the game ended with the WYO 76 -ISU 73 Final.
The Cowgirls were called to 11 personal fouls compared to Idaho State's 22. With nine to play in regulation the Cowgirls had only been called for two personal fouls.
This discrepancy was reflected on the free throw line as Wyoming shot 24 free throws to Idaho State's 10.
The two teams battled it out on the glass, with Wyoming winning the margin 34-31. The +2 margin was well below the Cowgirls +7.1 season average.
The Orange and Black ended the game led by its seniors. Goles had 24 points. Bourne ended the game with 13. Montana Oltrogge netted 12 and Estefania Ors finished her illustrious career with 10.
Looking Ahead
The Bengals head into the offseason for very deserved rest and relaxation. The Orange and Black will be back next season to defend their regular season champion and continue making Idaho State proud.
