POCATELLO, Idaho – Idaho State men's basketball closed their final non conference game of the 2025–26 season Sunday afternoon with an 83–93 loss to the UC Davis Aggies at Reed Gym. The Bengals showed continued growth from the perimeter, knocking down 12 three-pointers, their second-most made in a game this season, and leaned heavily on Louis Bond late, who delivered repeatedly in clutch moments down the stretch.
Despite Idaho State trimming a once 19-point deficit to a one-possession game late, UC Davis' 59.6 percent shooting from the field, the second-highest mark allowed by the Bengals this season, ultimately proved too much to overcome.
How It Happened
UC Davis set the tone early, opening the game on 13-3 run and taking a 21-13 advantage at the 11:06 mark of the first half, forcing Idaho State into an early hole. The Aggie continued their early game success, taking a 50-35 lead into the halftime break.
UC Davis began the second half with a small 4-0 run, but Idaho State showed renewed energy, trimming the deficit to 13 with 16:39 to go.
With the game tightening late, Louis Bond took over offensively. The true freshman guard scored or assisted on 19 of Idaho State's final 25 points. Knocking down a trio of threes and converting tough finishes to pull Idaho State within 79–77 with 5:39 remaining. Each time the Bengals threatened, however, UC Davis answered, putting together a decisive 14-3 run from the 5:14 to the 1:43 mark to regain control and put the game all but out of reach.
The Bengals would fall by a final score of 83-93, falling to 7-6 overall as they now turn their sights to Big Sky Conference play, beginning at home against Sacramento State on Thursday, Jan. 1st, 2026.
Player Stats
Idaho State's starters provided steady production. Connor Hollenbeck finished with 17 points and eight rebounds, going 10-of-12 at the free-throw line while adding two assists. Lachlan Brewer scored 16 points on 5-of-8 shooting, connecting on three triples, and Martin Kheil added 6 points and two assists. Jamison Guerra chipped in three points and three assists, while Evan Otten contributed three points and two rebounds.
And off the bench for the Bengals, Louis Bond delivered a standout performance, leading all scorers with 19 points on 5-of-7 shooting, including three three-pointers. Bond consistently stepped up in pressure moments, scoring in transition, knocking down contested shots late in the shot clock, and keeping Idaho State within striking distance during multiple second-half pushes. Cheikh Sow added five points and three rebounds, while Blake Daberkow and Quin Patterson provided physical minutes inside.
Team Stats Summary
Idaho State shot 47.9 percent from the field and 12-of-26 from three-point range, marking the second-most made three-pointers by the Bengals in a game this season. ISU also went 25-of-33 at the free-throw line, the second most made FT's in a game this season, helping fuel its late comeback attempts.
UC Davis' efficiency ultimately defined the afternoon. The Aggies finished at 59.6 percent shooting, the second-highest field-goal percentage allowed by Idaho State this season, and placed five players in double figures. UC Davis also converted 21-of-23 free throws, repeatedly answering Bengal runs and preventing Idaho State from fully flipping momentum.
Bengal Bites
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Idaho State made 12 three-pointers, its second-most in a game this season
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UC Davis shot 59.6 percent from the field, the second-highest FG% allowed by ISU this year
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Louis Bond scored a game-high 19 points, repeatedly delivering in clutch moments for an early career game
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The Bengals cut a 19-point second half deficit to two in the second half
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Idaho State finished 25-of-33 at the free-throw line
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The contest marked Idaho State's final non-conference game of the season
