SAN DIEGO, CA – The Idaho State men's basketball team wrapped up its Southern California road trip Sunday afternoon with a hard-fought 57-73 loss to San Diego State inside Viejas Arena.
Facing one of the nation's top defensive teams, the Bengals found their rhythm offensively in the second half, shooting over 57 percent from the field while holding their own against the reigning Mountain West champions. Connor Hollenbeck led the charge with 17 points, while Blake Daberkow and Caleb Van De Griend each added efficient scoring performances off the interior attack.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Bengals struggled to find a consistent rhythm early as San Diego State used its defensive length to contest shots and force turnovers. Idaho State trailed 34-21 at the break despite hitting three three-pointers and keeping the Aztecs off the offensive glass. Hollenbeck and Lachlan Brewer both connected from deep in the opening period, but the Bengals were limited to 33 percent shooting and 12 first-half turnovers.
Coming out of halftime, Idaho State looked rejuvenated, moving the ball crisply and executing through its half-court sets. The Bengals shot 57.1 percent (12-of-21) from the field in the second half and 44.4 percent (4-of-9) from three-point range, outpacing the Aztecs for stretches of play and finishing with 36 second-half points.
Hollenbeck led the surge with 13 of his 17 points coming after the break, including a pair of triples from the wing. Van De Griend provided energy off the bench, scoring eight points and battling for five rebounds, while Sow and Blake Daberkow both scored key buckets inside.
Despite the late push, San Diego State's interior scoring and transition game proved decisive. The Aztecs finished at 59.2 percent shooting and scored 30 points off turnovers, with forward Reese Dixon-Waters pacing them with 15 points.
PLAYER STATS
Connor Hollenbeck led Idaho State with 17 points on 4-of-11 shooting, including 4-of-8 from three-point range, tying his career high for threes made in a game, for the second straight game. He added four rebounds, two assists, and two steals in 34 minutes of play. Cheikh Sow followed with five points, five rebounds, three steals, and a block in 27 minutes, while Evan Otten added six points on a perfect 2-of-2 shooting performance. Lachlan Brewer chipped in three points, four assists, and three rebounds, and Gus Etchison finished with two points, two rebounds, and two free throws in limited minutes.
And off the bench for the Bengals, Caleb Van De Griend scored eight points on 3-of-6 shooting and grabbed five rebounds, while Jamison Guerra provided seven points, six assists, three steals, and three rebounds in 29 minutes of action. Blake Daberkow added six points on a perfect 3-of-3 shooting, Quin Patterson contributed three points and two rebounds, and Jaedyn Brown scored two. Martin Kheil Kasen Carpenter, Louis Bond, and Landen Birley also saw late-game minutes for the Bengals.
TEAM STATS
Idaho State shot 44.4 percent (20-for-45) from the field, 33.3 percent (7-for-21) from three-point range, and 71.4 percent (10-for-14) from the free-throw line. After scoring 21 points in the first half, the Bengals exploded for 36 in the second, highlighted by a 12-of-21 shooting effort and a 4-of-9 mark from deep.
San Diego State shot 59.2 percent (29-for-49) from the floor and 35.3 percent (6-for-17) from beyond the arc while finishing with a 40-22 advantage in points in the paint. The Aztecs capitalized on 19 Bengal turnovers, converting them into 30 points on the other end.
BENGAL BITES
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Idaho State shot 57.1 percent (12-for-21) from the field and 44.4 percent (4-for-9) from three in the second half.
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The Bengals shot 44.4 percent (20-for-45) overall and 71.4 percent (10-for-14) from the free-throw line.
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San Diego State finished with a 59.2 percent shooting mark and scored 30 points off Idaho State turnovers.
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Hollenbeck tied his career high with four made three-pointers, finishing with 17 points, four rebounds, and two steals.
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Guerra added seven points, six assists, and three steals in 29 minutes.
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Van De Griend tallied eight points and five rebounds off the bench, ending his 36 game double digit scoring streak.
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Daberkow added six points on perfect shooting, while Sow totaled five points, five rebounds, and three steals.
NEXT UP
Idaho State travels to Seattle, WA to take on the Seattle U Redhawks and former Bengal guard, Maleek Arington, on Saturday, Nov. 18th. Tipoff is schedule for 8:00 P.M. MT on ESPN+.
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