POCATELLO, Idaho – The Idaho State Bengals (1-2) battled the San Diego State Aztecs before SDSU pulled away at the end of the fourth period for a 62-51 win over the Bengals.
The Bengals, coming off of a blowout loss to Cal, entered Viejas Arena in San Diego Monday evening looking to bounce back against a solid Mountain West program.
"Proud of our effort tonight against a tough Mountain West team," remarked Head Coach Seton Sobolewski postgame. "I'm especially proud of how we bounced back after a rough loss at Berkley. We definitely showed progress tonight."
After winning the jump, the Bengals brought the ball up the court and Kacey Spink hit the first field goal of the game, a jumper in the paint. The Bengals and Aztecs then traded points over the next 4 possessions.
After taking a 7-6 lead off of the first three pointer of the night, SDSU would go on an 8-2 run over the final six minutes of the first period. With 34 seconds left on the clock, Spink cut the Aztec lead to 15-10 at the end of the first with a jump shot.
The Bengals took off in the 2nd quarter, shooting eight-of-14 and outscoring the Aztecs 18-15.
The Bengals hit their first two three pointers of the game, first by Sophia Covello and then Halle Wright. Wright led the quarter, scoring seven points on three-of-three from the field.
With 30 seconds left in the game, Wright drove to the basket and hit her third layup of the game, cutting the Aztec lead to 30-28 headed into the locker room.
The third period showed the confidence boost for the Bengals in the game as they went toe-to-toe with the Aztecs in a 14-14 tie during the period.
Piper Carlson and Halle Wright took it to the Aztecs in the period. The duo scored nine points in the period with Wright hittting her 2nd three of the game.
After three, the Bengals trailed the Aztecs just 44-42 with 10 to play.
With eight minutes to play, Sophia Covello cut the lead to two with a driving layup. This would be the closest the Bengals would come for the remainder of the game.
Over the remaining eight minutes, SDSU would pull away, extending the lead to as much as 13 before ending the game with the 62-51 victory over the Bengals.
Notes
· The Bengals shot 26-66 from the field for the game, 34.8 percent. The Aztecs shot 48 percent from the floor on 24-50.
· From three, the Bengals struggled more, shooting just three-of-15 from the field.
· Idaho State controlled the glass against the Aztecs, out-rebounding SDSU 43-31, +12. The Bengals had 19 offensive boards and scored 17 points off of them.
· The Turnovers were even in the game at 16 each. ISU had eight steals.
· Piper Carlson led the Bengals with an excellent, career-high 16 points on eight-of-12 shooting and nine rebounds. Halle Wright followed with thirteen points.
· Kacey Spink had the 2nd most rebounds of her career, grabbing 12 boards.
Next Up
Idaho State is back home this Saturday, November 16 to host the BYU Cougars. Tip-off is set for 7:00 PM. The theme is a white out game.
