POCATELLO, Idaho – The Bengals snapped a two-game skid against the Vandals taking down the University of Idaho 61-56 in the ICCU Arena in Moscow, Idaho, Thursday evening.
The Bengals move to 7-9 (3-2 BSC) on the season while the Vandals fall to 9-7 (2-2BSC).
Idaho State has now won four out of the previous six matchups with Idaho and earned valuable points toward the 2023-24 King Spud Trophy.
Postgame Remarks
Head Coach
Seton Sobolewski shared some thoughts after the Bengals win.
"This game lived up to how a rivalry game should be! Hard fought on both ends."
On
Piper Carlson's development this season,
"Piper has made huge strides the last two games! So fun to watch her develop."
"[I'm] very proud of our team's effort."
How it Happened
The Bengals only allowed the Vandals to take the lead twice tonight in the hard-fought 40 minutes played on the court. Idaho State controlled the game for nearly all four quarters putting together a four-quarter team effort in the win.
The Bengals had their strongest quarter of the night in the 1
st, shooting eight-of-16 from the floor. Not only did ISU shoot 50 percent, but it was spread out among seven of the Bengals, showing a total team effort from the beginning of the game.
After a strong defensive series against Portland and Sacramento State, the Bengals picked right up where they left off, holding the Vandals to four-of-14 shooting from the floor in the first period.
The Bengals and Vandals went back and forth in the 2
nd. The Bengals pulled away in the final minute of the half as
Nika Lokica took a turnover down the court and hit the fastbreak field goal.
The Bengals then grabbed another board and with seconds dwindling on the clock,
Maria Dias pulled back at the top of the key and launched a three-pointer that beat the buzzer and gave the Bengals a 34-28 lead heading into the locker room.
At half, the Bengals were shooting 14-of-32 from the floor and all nine Bengals had points on the board.
Idaho State came out of the locker room not giving the Vandals an inch. The quarter started off strong with Lokica draining a three-pointer just seven seconds into the half.
The Bengals kept pushing and extended the lead to 13 after
Laura Bello hit a turnaround jump shot.
The Vandals went on a 5-0 run to end the period and the two teams went to the 4
th with a 52-44 Bengal Lead.
Over the final 10 minutes the Bengals held strong against the Vandals comeback attempts. With two minutes left, the Vandals cut the Bengal lead to five points but a pair of free throws my maria Dias kept the Bengals ahead.
In the final seconds of the game, Dias again stepped up to the line and hit a free throw to ice the game and secure the Bengals' 61-56 win.
Notes-
- The win snaps a two-game losing streak to the Vandals. The Bengals have now won four out of the last six meetings.
- This is the 4th out of the last six games that the Bengals have shot over .400 as a team during the game.
- The Bengals had season high three point shooting going five-of-10 shooting .500.
- Idaho State had a season-high six blocks during the game.
- Three of the last four games the Bengals have now had double-digit steals
- Piper Carlson had a career-high four steals against the Vandals
- Nika Lokica set a new career-high with two blocks
Up Next
The Bengals' road trip continues as the Orange and Black head west to Cheney to take on the surging Eastern Washington Eagles. Tip is set for Saturday, Jan. 20 at 3:00 PM MT.
