SAN DIEGO, CA – The Idaho State men's basketball team remained unbeaten to start the 2025-26 season, holding off a late rally to defeat the University of San Diego Toreros, 71-68, Friday night inside Jenny Craig Pavilion.
The victory marked a major milestone for Head Coach Ryan Looney, who earned his 400th career win as a collegiate head coach. Behind strong performances from Connor Hollenbeck, Gus Etchison, and Caleb Van De Griend, the Bengals moved to 2-0 overall and secured their first road victory of the season.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Bengals took control early behind sharp perimeter shooting and efficient half-court play. Idaho State knocked down seven three-pointers in the opening half, led by Hollenbeck's four and Etchison's two, to build a 34-25 halftime lead. Defensively, the Bengals held San Diego to just 34 percent from the field and one made three in the first 20 minutes.
The momentum carried into the second half as Idaho State extended its lead to 17, 60-43, following a three-point play by Cheikh Sow. Etchison and Hollenbeck kept the pressure on offensively, while Evan Otten provided a spark inside with key rebounds and second-chance points.
San Diego rallied late, using a flurry of perimeter shooting to climb back into contention. The Toreros hit seven three-pointers in the second half, going on a 26-11 run in the game's final 6:04 to trim the deficit to three points in the closing seconds, but the Bengals held their composure. A free throw by Quin Patterson and another by Jamison Guerra sealed the 71-68 win as time expired.
PLAYER STATS
The Idaho State starting five delivered a complete effort on both ends of the floor. Connor Hollenbeck led the way with 18 points on 7-of-16 shooting, including 4-of-9 from three-point range, while adding seven rebounds, three assists, two steals, and a block in 36 minutes. Gus Etchison followed with 15 points, three rebounds, and three assists, shooting 3-of-5 from deep in just 18 minutes of action. Caleb Van De Griend, who entered off the bench early, was a force inside, recording 13 points on 4-of-8 shooting and 5-of-8 from the line to go with six rebounds and a block. Evan Otten contributed six points, six rebounds, one assist, and a block in 13 minutes of play. Lachlan Brewer added four points, four assists, three steals, and three rebounds in 24 minutes, while Cheikh Sow chipped in five points, two rebounds, and one steal.
And off the bench for the Bengals, Jamison Guerra provided six points, three rebounds, one assist, and one steal, including the final free throw to secure the win. Quin Patterson added four points, two rebounds, and one assist in 21 minutes. Blake Daberkow and Jaedyn Brown also saw action for Idaho State in the victory.
TEAM STATS
The Bengals shot 43.9 percent (25-for-57) from the field, 37.5 percent (9-for-24) from three-point range, and 63.2 percent (12-for-19) from the free-throw line. Idaho State won the rebounding battle 36-31, scored 26 points in the paint, and converted 16 points off turnovers.
San Diego shot 42.4 percent (25-for-59) from the floor and 42.1 percent (8-for-19) from beyond the arc, including seven makes in the second half. The Toreros' late surge cut the lead to one possession before Idaho State sealed the game at the charity stripe.
BENGAL BITES
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The win marked Head Coach Ryan Looney's 400th career victory as a collegiate head coach.
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Idaho State improves to 2-0 for the first time since the 2015-16 season.
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The Bengals are 2-0 with a win over an NCAA Division I opponent for the first time since the 1995-96 season.
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Hollenbeck scored a team-high 18 points with seven rebounds, three assists, and two steals, hitting four three-pointers — tying his career high for threes made in a game.
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Etchison added 15 points, three assists, and three rebounds, finishing 3-of-5 from deep.
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Caleb Van De Griend has now scored in double digits in his last 36 games in a row, dating back to last season at Minot State University
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The last time CVDG did NOT score in double digits was nearly one year ago (363 days), on Nov. 9th, 2024 vs. Southeastern Oklahoma
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Idaho State led for more than 35 minutes of game time and never trailed in the second half.
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The Bengals held San Diego to just one made three-pointer in the first half before the Toreros hit seven in the second.
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Friday's win marked Idaho State's first road victory of the 2025-26 season.
QUOTES
Head Coach Ryan Looney:
"I thought our team grew tonight. Battled on the glass, took care of the ball and defended. Just need to finish better moving forward."
"Special accomplishment to get to 400 [career wins]. Thankful to have coached a lot of good players and to have worked with a lot of great people."
NEXT UP
Idaho State travels across town on Sunday, Nov. 9, to face San Diego State at Viejas Arena. Tipoff is set for 3 p.m. MT on the Mountain West Network and KISU 91.1 FM.
SUPPORT THE BENGALS
Fans can purchase tickets for upcoming Idaho State athletic events by visiting idahostate.evenue.net/list/Athl. The ISU Athletic Ticket Office can also be reached by phone at (208) 282-4093 or by email at joyerin@isu.edu.
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