MOSCOW, Idaho – The Bengals men's basketball team played rivals, the Idaho Vandals, this evening. Their second meeting of the year with the Vandals. The Bengals defeated to UI in Pocatello earlier this season, and have downed Idaho in their last seven meetings in a row.
The Vandals would break out to an early 5-0 lead over Idaho State, however, the Bengals would counter with an 8-0 run to take an 11-7 lead with 13:10 to play in the first half. After battling the entire rest of the half
Miguel Tomley would hit a three-pointer to give ISU a 30-29 lead with 25 seconds left in the half, however, Idaho was able to respond with a three-pointer of their own with just four seconds on the clock, and would take a 32-30 lead over the Bengals into the halftime break.
Idaho State and the Vandals would go at it all second half, as it would come down to the very end. After two good free-throws by
Maleek Arington to take a 53-52 lead, Idaho would make a layup to regain the lead, 54-53 with 1:44 to play. Both defenses would lock down late, as the Vandals sunk one more free-throw and both teams would be unable to score again, as Idaho would down the Bengals 55-53 in Moscow. After the loss, Idaho State falls to 11-16 overall and 6-8 in Big Sky play. Following the win, Idaho improves to 10-16 overall and 4-9 in Big Sky play.
Maleek Arington have a career night for the Bengals in this one, putting up a career-high of 19 points on 7-of-11 shooting from the field, a career-high nine rebounds, two assists, and two steals.
Brayden Parker would be the only other Bengals that finished in double figures for scoring, totaling 12 points and four rebounds.
Miguel Tomley would finish with seven points, one rebounds, one assist, and tying a career-high in steal with three.
Isaiah Griffin had five points and one rebound, and the final starter for Idaho State,
Kiree Huie, would end the game with one point, six rebounds, one block, and one steal. Off the bench for Idaho State,
AJ Burgin would put up nine points and six rebounds in 29 minutes of action and
Briggs Ranstrom would total four rebounds, two blocks, and one assist in 23 minutes of play.
Trent Johnson and
Gavin Gilstrap would also see the floor in this one. Johnson finishing with two rebounds, one block, and one steal in nine minutes, and Gilstrap one rebound and one assist in four minutes.
Idaho State finished the game shooting 38.8 percent from the field, and 23.1 percent from three-point territory, going 3-of-13 from behind the arc. The Bengals tallied 5 assists, 38 rebounds, and 7 steals.
Idaho finished the game shooting 36.5 percent from the field and 27.8 percent from three-point land (5-for-18). The Vandals finished the game with 35 rebounds, 12 steals, and 9 assists.
The Bengals men's basketball team will be back in action on Saturday, February 24
th as they begin their final homestand of the season. Hosting the Weber State Wildcats at 6 pm in Reed Gym.
