BOISE, Idaho – The Idaho State men's basketball team closed out its Holiday Hoops Classic appearance with a 1–1 record, battling to the final possession in an 84–81 loss to Sam Houston State on Wednesday before responding with its most complete Division I performance of the season in an 82–50 throttling of CSUN on Friday afternoon inside Idaho Central Arena.
Across both matchups, the Bengals showcased poise, improvement, and depth, highlighted by standout performances from Jamison Guerra, Martin Kheil, Gus Etchison, and Lachlan Brewer. The split brings Idaho State to 4–4 overall heading into December.
GAME 1 — Sam Houston State 84, Idaho State 81
Bengals Battle in Back-and-Forth Thriller
Idaho State opened the tournament with one of its most competitive outings of the season, going shot-for-shot with Sam Houston State in a contest featuring 13 lead changes and long scoring runs from both sides. The Bengals shot over 52 percent from the field, hit eight threes, and received major contributions from their top scorers throughout the night.
A balanced first half saw ISU erase a nine-point deficit with a 15–4 run sparked by perimeter shooting from Martin Kheil and Lachlan Brewer, eventually entering halftime down just 38–34. After the break, Connor Hollenbeck and Caleb Van De Griend carried the offensive execution, combining for 28 second-half points as the Bengals repeatedly answered the Bearkats' momentum. The Bearkats capitalized on key offensive rebounds in the closing minutes — a detail Looney pointed out when discussing his team's mindset following the loss.
"We missed a couple shots that normally fall for us down the stretch and went four of eight from the free-throw line in the last two minutes," Looney said. "We got out-rebounded. Just some things that aren't quite what we take pride in."
Still, Idaho State had a final look to tie at the horn, but the shot was off the mark, sealing the narrow three-point defeat.
Game 1 Player Stats
Idaho State's starters were efficient and poised throughout the opening-round battle. Martin Kheil delivered a team-high 18 points on 5-of-11 shooting while adding three assits and one rebound. Jamison Guerra contributed 12 points and six assists, three steals, and two boards, and Connor Hollenbeck posted 11 points and three rebounds, while Evan Otten put up two points, two steals, one block, and one rebound. Cheikh Sow rounded out the Bengals starting 5 with three points and one rebound.
Off the bench, Lachlan Brewer would tie his career-high 17 points on 6-7 shooting from the floor to go along with two rebounds and one steal. Caleb Van De Griend put up 12 points, seven rebounds, and one block. Louis Bond added four points, one block, and one assist, and Blake Daberkow chipped in two points and one assist.
Game 1 Team Stats
The Bengals shot a 45.7 percent from the field and 29.2 percent from three (7-24), finishing with 23 rebounds, 11 assists, and 26 points in the paint.
Sam Houston State countered by shooting 45.0 percent overall and 32.0 percent (8-25) while securing 15 offensive rebounds, turning those extra opportunities into an 16–5 second-chance scoring advantage that proved decisive late.
GAME 2 — Idaho State 82, CSUN 50
Bengals Respond With Dominant All Around Effort
Idaho State's response on Friday was immediate and emphatic. The Bengals dominated CSUN from start to finish, controlling the physicality, defensive tempo, and shot selection. ISU held the Matadors to just 20.3 percent shooting overall (14–69) and only 20.6 percent from three.
Looney credited both his staff and his players for their preparation and buy-in:
"Our staff did a really good job putting a game plan together, but maybe even more importantly, our players trusted it and executed it on the floor. We had a very specific plan for each individual player and their whole offensive system — from the start of the possession all the way to the blockout at the finish."
Idaho State jumped out to a 16–9 advantage behind threes from Hollenbeck and Kheil, then closed the half on a 21–9 run to lead 39–18. The second half was even more one-sided as ISU pushed the pace, scoring 43 points while holding CSUN to 21.9 percent shooting after the break.
"We got back to our identity, which is rebounding and defense," Hollenbeck said. "It was physical under the basket, but we responded well."
Looney underscored that identity:
"We talk about rebounding every day — every film session, every conversation. It's preached constantly. And our guys believed in it. We're a fantastic rebounding team too. Tonight showed that."
Game 2 Player Stats
Idaho State's starting group delivered consistent production. Martin Kheil scored 13 points to go with five rebounds and four assists, while Connor Hollenbeck added 11 points, six rebounds, four assists, and one block. Jamison Guerra turned in 10 points on perfect 2-for-2 shooting from three while collecting three steals, and Lachlan Brewer added six points, six rebounds, two assists, and one steal. Evan Otten anchored ISU in the paint, finishing with eight rebounds, three blocks, three points, and one steal in a physical performance.
Off the bench, Etchison recorded a team-high 14 points on 5-9 shooting along with three rebounds and three assists, and Caleb Van De Griend delivered an ultra-efficient 11 points on 4-for-4 shooting while grabbing four rebounds, one assist, and one block. Blake Daberkow added four points, three rebounds, and a block, with Sow, Patterson, Birley, Bond, and Carpenter rounding out the rotation.
Game 2 Team Stats
Idaho State shot 48.3 percent from the field and nearly 38 percent from three (11-29) recording a season-high in 3PM, while dominating defensively, holding CSUN to a season low 20.3 percent shooting (14-69) and 14 points in the paint. The Bengals won the rebounding battle 44–37, turned 15 forced turnovers into 19 points, and received 39 points from a deep and active bench unit.
BENGAL BITES — HOLIDAY HOOPS CLASSIC SUMMARY
-
Idaho State finished 1–1 at the Holiday Hoops Classic.
-
Kheil averaged 15.5 points, 3.5 assists, and 3.0 rebounds across the two games.
-
Van De Griend averaged 11.5 points on 47.1% shooting, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks per game during the Classic.
-
Connor Hollenbeck averaged 11.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game at the Holiday Hoops Classic.
-
ISU held CSUN to 20.3 percent shooting from the floor, a season low.
-
The Bengals are now 4–4 overall entering December.
NEXT UP
Idaho State will turn their sights to the 3rd-annual Big Sky vs. Summit League Challenge. This season the Bengals will travel to Kansas City, MO to take on the Kansas City Roos on Wednesday, Dec. 3rd at 6 P.M. MT, then return home to host the University of Denver Pioneers on Saturday, Dec. 6th at 4 P.M. in Reed Gym.
The Bengals' game at Kansas City will be streamed on the Summit League Network, while their home game versus Denver will be on ESPN+. You can listen along to the Voice of the Bengals, Scott Gross, for both games on KISU 91.1 FM.
SUPPORT THE BENGALS
Fans can purchase tickets at idahostate.evenue.net/list/Athl. The ISU Ticket Office can be reached at (208) 282-4093 or joyerin@isu.edu.
FOLLOW THE BENGALS
Stay connected with Bengal Basketball all season long. Follow us on Facebook, X, and Instagram for highlights, updates, and behind-the-scenes content.
