Idaho State Looks to Stay Hot, Takes on Sacramento State & Portland State

POCATELLO, Idaho- The Idaho State men's basketball team hosts Montana State and Montana this week. The Bengals will host Montana State on Thursday, January 16^th at 7 P.M, and the University of Montana on Saturday, January 18^th at 6 P.M.

The game will be streamed on ESPN+, you can listen along live with Scott Gross on KISU, or you can follow along with LiveStats.

Sacramento State (5-13)
Home (4-6), Away (1-7), Neutral (0-0)
ISU Recent Series vs. SS
2/8/2024                    H         W         68-40
1/13/2024                 A         L          64-66
2/18/2023                 A         L          65-70
1/19/2023                 H         W         65-61
2/19/2022                 H         L          75-80
 
Idaho State is 33-27 All-Time vs. Sacramento State and 12-14 when playing on the road. Idaho State took the win in their last meeting, however, the Hornets have defeated the Bengals in 8 of their last 11 meetings. Both Sac and ISU were the surprise of last year's Big Sky Tournament, defeating the 1 and 2 seeds in the second round before both losing in the semi-finals.
 
Sac brings in a 5-13 overall record on the season and 1-4 in conference play, with wins over Air Force and Portland State. Last season the Hornets and Bengals tied their season series, 1-1, which included Sac's buzzer beater to defeat the Bengals in the Nest.
 
Sac State is lead in scoring by Jacob Holt (16.9) and Julian Vaughns (10.1). Jacob Holt leads the team in rebounding, averaging 7 boards per game, followed by Alex Kovatchev (5).
 
Portland State University (11-7)
Home (6-1), Away (4-5), Neutral (1-1)
ISU Recent Series vs. PSU
2/10/2024     H         W         68-65
1/11/2024     A         W         69-63
2/16/2023     A         L          70-79
1/21/2023     H         L          65-72
3/9/2022        N         L          52-66
 
Idaho State is 24-38 All-Time vs. Portland State and 7-24 when playing on the road. Idaho State swept the Vikings last season, 2-0, for the first time since 2015-16. However, the Vikings have defeated the Bengals in 9 of their last 12 meetings.
 
PSU brings in an 11-7 overall record on the season and 3-2 in conference play, with wins over Wofford, San Diego, and Northern Arizona.
 
Portland State is lead in scoring by Jaylin Henderson (13.2) and Isaiah Johnson (11.1). Tre-Vaughn Minott leads the team in rebounding, averaging 6.1 boards per game, followed by Isaiah Johnson (5.7). The Vikings also hold the top assist man in the Big Sky, Qiant Myers, averaging 6.9 per game.
 
Montana Recap
Idaho State and Montana would battle closely the entire first half. The Bengals would jump out to an early 8-2 lead thanks in part to Isaiah Griffin getting off to hot start, going 3-3 from the field to begin the game. Montana would quickly cut the Bengals lead down to one point, followed by the Griz gaining their first lead of the game at 25-24, coming with 7:08 remaining in the first half.  Late in the first half Montana would find themselves up by two, 36-34, however the Griz would end the half on an 8-2 run, giving themselves an eight-point edge over Idaho State, 44-36, at the halftime break.

In the second half the Bengals seemed possessed. Beginning the half with an 22-2 run, making their first 12 of 18 shot attempts to begin the half, rocketing themselves into a 12-point lead, 58-46 with 13:38 left to play. The Bengals would look dominant throughout the rest of the contest, surging to a game high 27-point lead, 86-59, with just 1:30 remaining. When the final buzzer sounded, Idaho State would secure the 25-point victory, 86-61, tying their 4^th largest margin of victory over Montana, and earning Head Coach Ryan Looney his second career win vs. the Griz, and first in Reed Gym. Idaho State would go on to outscore the Griz 50-17, in what some might say was one of the most dominant halves in Bengal Basketball history.

Idaho State will improve to 8-8 overall and 3-2 in Big Sky play following the win. Montana will be drop to 11-8 overall & 4-2 in Big Sky Conference play.

This marks the latest in the season the Bengals have had an overall record of .500 or better since the 2020-21 COVID season, where Idaho State would begin their year with an 8-6 overall record.
Isaiah Griffin led all scorers in this one, finishing with a career high while at ISU, 23 points, on 10-17 shooting from the field and 3-5 from three-point land, one rebound, and one assist in 35 minutes played. Jake O'Neil finished with his 9^th double-double on the year (2^nd in the Big Sky & Top 12 in the NCAA) with 19 points on an efficient 9-12 shooting from the field and 1-2 from deep, 12 rebounds, three assists, two steals, and one block, Dylan Darling would stuff the stat sheet in this one, ending his evening with 13 points, eight assists, five rebounds, a career high four steals, and two blocks. Connor Hollenbeck would leave his fingerprints on this game as well, ending with 15 points on 6-9 shooting from the floor and 2-3 from 3-point range, seven rebounds, four assists, and one steal. The final Bengal starter, Evan Otten, would finish with four points, four rebounds, and three blocks in just 20 minutes of action due to foul trouble.

Off the bench Jackson Greene would play a pivotal role for Idaho State, contributing eight points on 4-6 shooting, two rebounds, two steals, and one block in 18 minutes of action (2^nd most this season). Captain, AJ Burgin, would come in and put up two points, three rebounds, and one assist in 12 minutes, and the final Bengal in the scoring column would be Quentin Meza, tallying two points, off of a perfect 2-2 from the charity stripe.  

The Bengals finished the game shooting 55.9 percent from the field, and 43.8 percent from deep finishing 7-16 from three-point land. Idaho State ended the game with 39 rebounds, 17 assists (T-2^nd most vs. D1 opponents this season), and 9 steals (T-most this this season).

Montana finished the game shooting 39.3 percent from the field (4^th worst in a game this year) and 42.1 percent from three-point territory, going 8-19. The Griz would finish with 14 assists, 26 boards, and 5 steals.

The Returning 4
4          Jaedyn Brown           G         R-Fr.   6-4      185     Pullman, WA
12        Isaiah Griffin             F          Sr.       6-6      210     Knightdale, NC
13        AJ Burgin                   G         Sr.       6-3      205     San Diego, Calif.
30        Evan Otten                C         R-Fr.   6-11    235     Redmond, OR                       
 
Hello My Name Is
0          Joey Madimba          G         Jr.       6-5      205     Mansfield, TX          
1          Dylan Darling            G         R-So.  6-1      180     Spokane, WA            
2          Nick Ghetie               G         Fr.       5-11    175     Portland, OR 
3          Quentin Meza           G         So.      6-0      180     West Valley City, UT
5          Cheikh Sow               G         Jr.       6-7      195     Theis, Senegal                     
8          Jake O'Neil                G         Gr.       6-4      210     Fruitland, ID             
10        Connor Hollenbeck  F          Gr.       6-7      225     Rapid City, SD
14        Covy Kelly                 G         Jr.       6-2      182     Garden Valley, ID
21        Jackson Greene       F          Jr.       6-7      215     Atlanta, GA               
24        Justin Graham         F          Sr.       6-7      200     Colorado Springs, CO
32        Blake Daberkow       C         Jr.       6-10    235     Lincoln, NE 


 
Bengal Bites

• The Bengals rank 1^st in the Big Sky in:
  • Free Throw Attempts Per Game (20.1) (T-1^st with PSU) & Free Throw's Made Per Game (14.6)
  • Rebound Margin (+11.6) (3rd in NCAA), Offensive Rebounds Per Game (14.8) (8^th in NCAA), & Rebounds Per Game (40) (25^th in NCAA)
  • Blocks Per Game (5.3) (16^th in the Country)
• The Bengals are 2^nd in the Big Sky in Scoring Defense, holding opposing teams to just 67.4 PPG, and FG% Defense, limiting opponents to 42.6% shooting from the field
• Jake O'Neil recorded his 9^th double-double of the season (19 points & 12 rebounds) in Idaho State's Jan. 18^th win vs. Montana (2^nd in the Big Sky & 8^th in the NCAA in Double-Doubles)
• Jake O'Neil has been a beast on the glass this season, ranking:
  • 1^st in the Big Sky and 5^th in the Country in Offensive Rebounds Per Game (4)
  • 2^nd in the Big Sky and 6^th in the Country in Rebounds Per Game (10.8)
  • 2^nd the Big Sky and is 19^th in the Country in Total Rebounds (173)
• Jake O'Neil's 19 rebounds vs. Oral Roberts is the most in a single-game in the Big Sky this season, and is the most in a single game for an ISU player since Jeff Solarin in 2014
• Evan Otten ranks 5^th in the Big Sky in Offensive Rebounds Per Game (2.3) and in Rebounds Per Game (6.3)
• Evan Otten leads the Big Sky in Blocks and Blocks per Game, Otten ranks 10^th in the entire Country in Total Blocks (42) and is 7^th in the Country in Blocks per Game (2.63)
• The Bengals have 3 players inside the Top-15 in the Big Sky in Points Per Game
• Dylan Darling – 6^th (16.1), Jake O'Neil – 11^th (13.1), Isaiah Griffin – 15^th (12.0)
• In Conference play, Dylan Darling leads the Big Sky in Scoring (20.4 PPG) and is 2^nd in Assists (6)
• Dylan Darling is 3^rd in the Big Sky in Assists (81) and 2^nd in the BSC and 28th in the Nation in Assists per Game (5.8)
• Dylan Darling leads the Big Sky and 32^nd in the NCAA in Assist to Turnover Ratio (2.89)
• ISU earned their first back-to-back wins over MSU & UM since 2008-09
• In conference play, Jake O'Neil leads the Big Sky in Steals (2.2), Dylan Darling is T-2^nd (1.8)
• Head Coach, Ryan Looney, sits at 390 career wins, needing just 10 more to reach #400

 
Looking Ahead
Following Idaho State's west coast road trip, the Bengals will return home for a three-game homestand. Taking on the new look Eastern Washington Eagles on Jan. 30^th for their Suits & Sneakers Game, rivals, the Idaho Vandals, on Feb. 1^st, and capped off with Northern Colorado on Feb. 3^rd.
 
Follow the Bengals
Follow along at ISUBengals.com to keep up to date with the team. Fans can also follow the Bengals on social media  (Twitter: @IdahoStateMBB | Instagram:@Idahostatembb | Facebook:@IdahoStateMensBasketball)