FLAGSTAFF, Arizona – The Bengals men's basketball team looked to close out their four-game road trip with a win Saturday afternoon in Flagstaff, Arizona against the Northern Arizona University Lumberjacks. The Bengals have won seven in a row when in Flagstaff and are 11-3 against NAU in their last 14 meetings.
The Bengals and Lumberjacks began the game exchanging buckets, but with Northern Arizona moving into the lead early. Idaho State would gain their first lead of the game after a
Kiree Huie layup to pull ahead 9-8 at the 15:46 mark of the first half. NAU would respond by gaining their largest lead of the first half at five points, 21-16, with 11:10 to play in the half. However, as they have done all season the Bengals would have a response of their own, going on a 14-0 run over the next three and a half minutes to surge to their largest lead of the game at 30-21. Northern Arizona would end the half on a made jump shot with four seconds remaining to cut the Bengal lead down to just four points as both teams headed into the break with ISU on top, 39-35.
As the second half began, both teams opened with made three-point jump shots and found themselves in a groove, going back and forth the entire half. However, the Bengals came to play today as they would not allow the Lumberjacks to retake the lead for the remainder of the game. NAU would shrink the Bengals' lead down to just one-point multiple times, but the Bengals would keep their composure and not hit the panic button. With just five minutes remaining in the game ISU found themselves up nine and looking to close the contest out. However, NAU would refuse to go down without a fight. After a four-point play NAU was down just one with 1:19 left in the game. Off the bench
Briggs Ranstrom would get a crucial layup to drop extending the Bengals lead back to three with time winding down. After two Lumberjack free-throws on the next possession Idaho State needed a big basket to give them some breathing room now with under 20 seconds to play.
Brayden Parker would draw a foul and step to the free-throw line with just nine ticks left on the clock, looking to help the Bengals extend their lead to three. Parker would go 1-of-2 at the stripe, giving the Lumberjacks hope in the final seconds as ISU led by two now. As Northern Arizona brought the ball up looking to tie or take the lead,
Maleek Arington would play lockdown defense, not allowing the Lumberjack ball handler to get off any passes or a clean look at a shot, and as the NAU player attempted to force up a desperation three at the buzzer he would not get it off in time, and Idaho State would come out of Flagstaff with their eighth straight victory in the Walkup Skydome by a final score of 81-79, handing the Lumberjacks their second home loss of the year. After the big road win, Idaho State improves to 9-14 overall and 4-6 in Big Sky play. Following the loss, Northern Arizona falls to 10-13 overall and 3-6 in Big Sky play.
Kiree Huie led the Bengals in scoring tonight, tying his season-high with 20 points on 9-of-14 shooting from the field, while also grabbing five rebounds, one block, and one steal.
Brayden Parker would continue his hot-streak, dropping 19 points, seven rebounds, and one assist, and the final Bengal scoring in double figures was
Miguel Tomley, as he put up 18 points on 4-of-8 shooting from beyond the arc, five rebounds, and two steals.
Isaiah Griffin would end the game with nine points on 3-of-5 shooting from the floor, five rebounds, and three assists, and the final starter for Idaho State,
Maleek Arington, would finish the game with five points, three rebounds, one steal, and a career-high eight assists, as he now leads the Big Sky Conference in assists, passing Weber State's Dillon Jones after tonight's games.
Briggs Ranstrom and
AJ Burgin would continue their streaks of great play off the bench for Idaho State. Ranstrom would set his career-high in rebounds for the second straight game as he ripped down nine boards, scored a career-high eight points, while also adding two assists and two steals in 26 minutes. Burgin would total two points, one rebound, and one assist in 22 minutes of action.
Following the win Head Coach,
Ryan Looney, earns his 48
th career win and 29
th win in Big Sky play with the Bengals. Needing just one more win to earn his 30
th career win in Big Sky Conference play and two more to earn his 50
th career win at the helm for Idaho State.
Idaho State finished the game shooting 47.5 percent from the field, and 37.5 percent from three-point territory, going 6-of-16 from behind the arc. The Bengals tallied 15 assists, 41 rebounds, and 7 steals.
Northern Arizona finished the game shooting 46.4 percent from the field and 38.5 percent from three-point land (5-for-13). The Lumberjacks finished the game with 27 rebounds, 3 steals, and 13 assists.
The Bengals men's basketball team will return home to Reed Gym next week, hosting Sacramento State on Thursday, February 8
th and Portland State on Saturday, February 10
th.
