POCATELLO, Idaho – The Idaho State Bengals (11-16, 7-9 BSC) fell to the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks Thursday evening in Flagstaff, Arizona. After the loss the Bengals are still clinging onto the six seed in the Big Sky Tournament with two games to play in the regular season.
Northern Arizona was the definition of hot in the first quarter, cruising to a 51-31 halftime lead over the Bengals. The primary factor in the Lumberjacks first-half lead came from the three-point line. NAU shot 11-of-20 from behind the arc in the first 20 minutes as they extended their lead.
The Bengals did not play bad in the first half, on the contrary, Idaho State shot almost 50 percent from the floor, hitting three-of-four three pointers in the first half, but in a game of twos vs threes the Lumberjacks pulled ahead.
Coming out of the locker room, the Bengals could have rolled over and given up, but these Bengals are cut from stronger stuff.
The Bengals came out on fire in the third and thanks to a trio of treys from Halle Wright and Cam Collman, the Bengals clawed back to seven down with four minutes to play in the third quarter.
NAU took advantage of their veteran leadership over the final 12 and pulled away for the 89-74 win.
Notes
· NAU's 15 made three pointers was one shy of the records for made threes by an opponent vs the Bengals.
· Three Bengals scored in triple digits. Maria Dias led the Bengals with 18 points on nine-of14 shooting from the floor.
· The Bengals controlled the glass against NAU grabbing 38 boards to the Lumberjacks 33.
· Turnovers plagued the Bengals with the Lumberjacks scoring 27 points off of 20 Bengal turnovers.
Up Next
The Bengals continue the road trip as they head to Greeley, Co to take on the Northern Colordao Bears. Tip is set for 2:00 PM MT Saturday March 3.
