POCATELLO, Idaho - The Idaho State Bengals snapped a four-game losing streak in dominant fashion with a 66-52 win over the Portland State Vikings, Saturday afternoon in Reed Gym.
The Bengals move to 7-11. 2-5 on the season and 49-24 all-time versus the Vikings. This is Head Coach Seton Sobolewski's 26th win over PSU.
The Game started with a back and forth battle in the first quarter with the Vikings eventually taking a 14-10 lead with a little over one minute to play. The lead was cut with a Sophia Covello made three pointer, but a jumper at the end of the period put the Vikings up 16-13 after 10.
Rather than bow out, the Bengals took over the game and it was ISU from there on out. The major reason for the Idaho State dominance was the battle on the glass. From the onset of the game, the Bengals set the tone, outrebounding the vikings and holding the opposing team to just 10 total first half rebounds.
The Bengals were led with timely scoring by Tasia Jordan and Sophia Covello. Kacey Spink moved out of her shooting slump and scored seven first-half points as well.
In the 2nd quarter, The Bengals almost couldn't miss, shooting 71.4 percent from the floor with 10 made field goals. Jordan, going a perfect five-for-five in the period. At the end of the first half, the Bengals had outscored the Vikings 20-13.
Coming out of the locker room, Idaho State knew it needed to continue its momentum on the hardwood. Covello started the half off right, hitting a tough fall away jumper outside the paint, getting fouled in the process and immediately bringing the energy up in Reed Gym.
Idaho State has had some slow third periods this year, The Bengals were not about to let that happen in Reed Saturday afternoon. Spreading the scoring out among seven different Bengals, Idaho State piled on the Vikings, outscoring PSU 21-13 with 42 percent shooting from the floor.
Heading into the fourth with the lead, the Bengals needed to keep the energy up and not fall into a total shooting slump.
The Bengals hit their shots when they needed to and better yet, stepped up on defense, holding the Vikings to just three made shots in the 4th. While low scoring, Idaho State finished the period with 10 points and held the Viking comeback attempt off.
The Benagls closed out the clock as Dias Dribbled the ball up the court for the the 66-52 win over the conference opponent.
Piper Carlson and Kacey Spink ran the floor, both scoring double-doubles in the win. Carlson had 13 points and 11 rebounds while Spink had 12 points and 11 rebounds to lead the team. Spink also added five assists and two steals to her statline.
Tasia Jordan and Sophia Covello also scored in double figures to lead the team to the win.
As a team, the Bengals shot 49.1 percent from the field on 28-of-57 shooting. The Bengals hit four three pointers. Defensively, the Bengals held the Vikings to 19-of-50 from the floor and just two made threes.
On the glass, Idaho State was absolutely dominant, grabbing 46 boards to just 18 by PSU. the total was just one shy of their season high, 47 at NIU.
Up Next
The Bengals are back on the road next week with a three-game turnaround. First up is a 12:00 PM MT tip against Eastern Washington in Cheney this Thursday, Jan. 30
