POCATELLO, Idaho – Idaho State Men's Basketball continues its 99th season with its first road trip of the year, heading to California for matchups at San Diego on Friday, Nov. 7th, and San Diego State on Sunday, Nov. 9th.
Head Coach Ryan Looney, sitting just one win shy of 400 career victories, leads a veteran Bengal roster coming off an 81–71 season-opening win over Park University (AZ). Captains Connor Hollenbeck and Jamison Guerra anchor a balanced lineup that also features frontcourt standout Caleb Van De Griend and sharpshooter Quin Patterson. Together, the four combined for 57 of Idaho State's 81 points in the opener.
Last Time Out
The Bengals opened their 99th season with an 81–71 victory over Park, outscoring the Buccaneers 46–30 in the second half and dominating the glass 42–21.
Graduate forward Connor Hollenbeck powered the win with a double-double of 18 points and 10 rebounds, while senior forward Caleb Van De Griend posted 16 points and eight rebounds on 6-of-8 shooting in his Bengal debut.
Redshirt junior guard Quin Patterson scored 18 points on 6-of-8 shooting, including 4-of-6 from three-point range, while graudate captain Jamison Guerra distributed six assists and added three rebounds to direct the offense.
The Bengals finished with a +21 rebounding margin, 15 assists on 28 made baskets, and held Park to only three made free throws.
Friday, Nov. 7 – at San Diego (1–0)
The Toreros opened their season with an 88–59 win over Occidental, shooting 51.4 percent from the floor and 46.4 percent from three-point range while winning the rebounding battle 45–31.
Sophomore Toneari Lane led USD with 15 points on 5-of-7 from deep, while Tim Moore added 13 points and Assane Diop grabbed 8 rebounds. The Toreros recorded 23 assists on 36 made field goals and saw 10 players record at least one assist.
Under third-year head coach Steve Lavin, San Diego continues to develop a perimeter-focused, fast-paced style.
Series History:
Idaho State and San Diego are tied 1–1 all-time. The Bengals earned a 78–66 win in their last meeting on Nov. 16, 2024, while the Toreros won the first matchup 64–61 during the 2000–01 season at a neutral site.
How to Follow
📺 Watch: ESPN+
🎧 Listen: KISU 91.1 FM
📊 Live Stats: isubengals.com
Sunday, Nov. 9 – at San Diego State (1–0)
The Bengals then travel across town to face San Diego State, which opened its season with a 77–45 win over Long Beach State before a crowd of 11,644 at Viejas Arena.
The Aztecs hit 11-of-23 from three-point range (47.8%), forced 21 turnovers, and held Long Beach to 32 percent shooting. Miles Byrd and freshman Elzie Harrington led the team with 13 points each, while Miles Heide added 10 points and 5 rebounds.
Under head coach Brian Dutcher, SDSU has remained one of the nation's most disciplined and efficient defensive teams, holding opponents under 50 points for the 18th time since 2020.
Series History:
San Diego State leads the all-time series 3–2. Idaho State is 2–0 at home but 0–3 on the road against the Aztecs. The Bengals last defeated SDSU in 1979–80 (99–87) and 1975–76 (73–65) in Pocatello. The Aztecs have won the last three matchups in San Diego, most recently in 1980–81 (96–80).
How to Follow
📺 Watch: MW Network
🎧 Listen: KISU 91.1 FM
📊 Live Stats: isubengals.com
Bengal Leaders (Through Nov. 5)
Additional contributors:
Lachlan Brewer (9 points, 4 assists, 3 steals) and Blake Daberkow (5 points, 4 rebounds, 1 block) provided key bench minutes in the season opener.
Preseason Context
Idaho State was picked to finish 5th by the media and 8th by the coaches in the 2025–26 Big Sky Conference Preseason Polls.
BENGAL BITES
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Hollenbeck's double-double marked the 2nd of his Idaho State career.
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Van De Griend has now scored in double figures in 35 straight games dating back to last season.
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Patterson's 18 points were the most by a Bengal in a debut since 2017.
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Guerra's six assists were the most by an Idaho State player in a season opener since 2019.
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Idaho State allowed just three made free throws while making 18 of its own.
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Head Coach Ryan Looney enters the weekend with 399 career victories, one shy of 400.
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