POCATELLO, Idaho – The Idaho State Bengals (3-5) bounced back into the win column, the second day of the 2024 Cancun Challenge, taking down the Rhode Island Rams 52-50 with last-second heroics by the Orange and Black to earn the win.
"We showed great courage playing against a tough, physical Rhode Island team," remarked Head Coach Seton Sobolewski postgame.
With seven seconds remaining on the clock, tied 50-50, and the Rams driving for the basket. Piper Carlson stood firm and stripped the ball from the Ram offense, deftly passing the ball through the defenders to Maria Dias, who turned on the jets and drove the court hitting a "beautiful, left-handed layup at the end of the game".
The win snapped a two-game skid and provides valuable confidence for the team headed into the Big Sky – Summit League Challenge next week.
The Bengals started the game strong, shooting 50%, seven-of-14 from the field. Piper Carlson hit the first field goal of the game for the Orange and Black, tieing the game at 2-2 with a driving layup. She was followed by Halle Wright, Maria Dias, and Sophia Covello scoring consecutive field goals to go up 8-2 into the first media time out.
The Bengals scored another seven, including a three from Maria Dias to end the period with a 15-13 lead over the Rams.
Idaho State had a tough second period, shooting just three-of-10 from the field for six points and the only period the Bengals didn't outscore the Rams.
The Bengal defense held strong, despite the shooting woes, holding the Rams to just five-of-19 from the field, despite giving up seven o-boards in the period. After the slow period, the Bengals went into the locker room down 25-21.
The Bengals have had some rough 2nd halves this season, being outscored 11 points on average in the past five games. The Bengals put that behind them in the contest against the Rams, scoring 31 second half points and leading the scoring in both the third and the fourth quarters.
The third quarter saw six lead changes and five ties between the two teams as the Bengals battled in the period.
Halle Wright led in the quarter with five points on two field goals and a free throw, Sophia Covello and Tasia Jordan followed with four points each.
After a made three pointer as the clock wound down, the Rams took a three point lead into the final 10 minutes.
Wright got the Bengals rolling in the fourth with a hookshot in the paint to cut the margin to one point.
The Rams put together a run and ballooned their lead to eight points with six minutes left in the game.
Instead of backing down, the Bengals stepped up. Wright hit a pair of free throws and Covello took advantage of a Bengal offensive rebound to hit a clutch three pointer and cut the Ram lead to three with 4:46 remaining.
The Bengals regained control of the ball off of a Jordan steal and Kacey Spink hit the second chance layup. With 2:54 left in the game, the Rams held a two-point 48-46 lead over the Bengals. On the next possession, the Bengals ran their offense and, dished the ball to Spink, who hit a pull up jumper to tie the game at 48 all.
The two teams traded possessions before Sophia Covello drove to the rim and hit the layup, giving the Bengals their first lead since 2:06 to play in the third quarter.
The rams tied the game at 50-50 with 46 seconds left and the game was setup for final fireworks. The Bengals missed a layup and the Rams held possession with seven seconds left looking for the final shot of the game.
Piper Carlson had other thoughts, stripping the ball from the Rams with five seconds left and dishing the ball to Dias, who sprinted the length of the court and put the ball in the net with one second left of the clock, sealing the Bengals' 52-50 win over Rhode Island.
Notes
· Two Bengals scored in double-digits. Sophia Covello led the Bengals with 13 points and Halle Wright followed with 11.
· The Bengals only took four free throw attempts, a season-low for the team. The Rams were sent to the charity stripe for 11 attempts.
· The Bengals overcame 19 turnovers to Rhode Island's 15 for the win.
· Again, the Bengals were outrebounded by an opponent, with the Rams taking the rebound margin 35 to 31.
Next Up
The Bengals are back home for the 2024 Big Sky – Summit League Challenge. ISU starts the challenge at home against Denver University, Wednesday, December 4 at 7:00 PM. The Bengals then head east to take on the University of Missouri – Kansas City, December 7 at 1:00 PM
