Bengals Look to Fend Off Grizz

Pocatello, ID- The Bengals men's basketball squad will be back home in Pocatello this weekend after a short one-game road trip in Arizona on Monday. Idaho State is preparing to face the University of Montana Grizzlies on Thursday evening where they will look to seek revenge from their blowout loss to the Grizz in Missoula earlier in the season on January 14^th, 84-55.

The University of Montana enters the game with a 12-12 record on the season and 6-6 in Big Sky Conference play, winning both of their matchups last week against Northern Colorado and Northern Arizona. The Grizzlies are averaging 68.3 points per game on 45.4 percent shooting from the field and 36 percent from beyond the arc (1^st in the Big Sky).

The Bengals will look to shut down the Lumberjacks down behind their stellar defense. Idaho State's defense has been stymieing the opposing teams all season, holding opponents to just 31.4 percent from three-point territory (2^nd in the Big Sky), 44.5 percent shooting from the field, and average 6.1 steals per game (3^rd in the Big Sky).

The tip will be at 7 p.m. in Reed Gym. Jerry Miller will call the game on KISU and Dylan Carder will call the game on ESPN +.

University of Montana (12-12)
Home (8-4), Away (3-8), Neutral (1-0)
ISU Recent Series vs. UM
1/14/2023                 A                     L          84-55
2/05/2022                 H                     W        86-63
12/30/2021               A                     L          78-54
2/27/2021                 H                     L          59-58
2/25/2021                 H                     L          64-58
2/15/2020                 A                     L          78-63
1/23/2020                 H                     L          77-74
 
Northern Arizona University Recap
The Idaho State men's basketball team traveled to Flagstaff, Arizona Monday evening to face off with the Northern Arizona University Lumberjacks for the second time this season. The Bengals fell behind in the game early but managed to stay within striking distance as they trailed by just six at half-time, 38-32. In the second half the Bengals clawed their way back, but for every punch they threw the Lumberjacks had an answer. With just 10 minutes remaining in the game Idaho State found themselves down 10, however the Bengals turned on the afterburners and ended the game scorching hot going on a 24-9 run, and winning the contest 75-70. After the win the Bengals improve to 9-15 on the year & 6-5 in Big Sky Conference play, the Northern Arizona University Lumberjacks will fall to 6-19 on the season and 2-10 in conference play.
 
Brayden Parker was the Bengals' leading scorer tonight as he put up 17 points on 8-of-12 shooting from the field, five rebounds, three blocks, one steal, and one assist. Jay Nagle tallied a season-high 15 points, five rebounds, and two assists and Miguel Tomley had 11 points on 4-of-9 shooting from the field and 3-of-7 from deep. Maleek Arington also had a great game off the bench as he finished with 10 points, three steals, two assists, and two rebounds in 31 minutes.
 
The Bengals finished the game shooting 47.5 percent from the field and 34.6 percent from deep finishing 9-of-26 from three-point territory. The Bengals tallied 11 assists, 29 rebounds, and 5 steals. Northern Arizona University finished with shooting 47.5 percent from the field and 44.4 percent from beyond the arc.
 
The Returning 6
0    AJ Burgin        G    So.    6-3    205    San Diego, Calif.
2    Tommy Ball    G    Fr.    6-0    175    El Dorado Hills, Calif.    
5    Austin Smellie    G    Sr.    6-5    200    Preston, Idaho
13    Daxton Carr    F    Jr.    6-7    215    Pocatello, Idaho    
22    Jared Rodriguez    F    Sr.    6-8    215    Glendale, Ariz.    
25    Brayden Parker    C    Jr.    6-8    250    Preston, Idaho        

Hello my name is
1    Jay Nagle        F    Sr.    6-9    215    Vacaville, Calif.        
3    Ronnie Stapp    G    Jr.    6-6    185    Bakersfield, Calif.        
10    Miguel Tomley    G    So.    6-3    200    Surrey, BC        
11    Brock Mackenzie    G    Sr.    6-2    185    Sammamish, Wash.    
12    Turner Livingston    F    Fr.    6-4    195    Spokane, Wash.        
14    Jordan Hansen    G    Fr.    6-6    215    Seattle, Wash.      
 20    Briggs Ranstrom    F    Fr.    6-6    205    Eagle, Idaho
23    Maleek Arington    G    Fr.    6-3    200    Lake Tapps, Wash.    
24    Ed Chang        F    Jr.    6-8    215    Papillion, Neb.      
 32    Kolby Lee        C    Sr.    6-9    240    Meridian, Idaho    
44    Louis Stormark    C    Fr.    6-9    250    Alleroed, Denmark    
 
Bengal Bites

• Brock Mackenzie is currently 9^th in the Big Sky in three-pointers made (47) and 10^th in the Big Sky three-pointers per game (1.96)
• Miguel Tomley is currently 10^th in the Big Sky in three-pointers made (46) and 11^th in three-pointers made per game (1.92)
• The Bengals' defense is currently 2^nd in the Big Sky and 67^th in the country in three-point percentage defense, holding opponents to just 31.4 percent from deep this season
• The Bengals' defense ranks 3^rd in the Big Sky in steals per game (6.1)