Men's Hoops Prepares for 3 Games in 5 Days to End Regular Season

POCATELLO, Idaho - The Idaho State men's basketball team plays their final 3 games of the regular season in a 5-day span, traveling to Moscow, ID to battle against rivals, the Idaho Vandals, on Thursday Feb. 27^th at 7 P.M. MT. Following their game at UI they will take on the Eastern Washington Eagles in Cheney, WA at 3 P.M. MT on Saturday, March 1^st. The Bengals' final game of the 2024-25 regular season will be their senior day, honoring their two captains, AJ Burgin and Jake O'Neil, on Monday, March 3^rd at 7 P.M. in Reed Gym as ISU hosts Northern Arizona.

All three games will be streamed on ESPN+, you can listen along live with Scott Gross on KISU, or you can follow along with LiveStats.

University of Idaho (12-16) (7-8)
Home (7-5), Away (5-10), Neutral (0-1)
ISU Recent Series vs. UI
2/1/2025        H         W         87-71
2/17/2024     A         L          53-55
1/18/2024     H         W         64-59
2/23/2023     H         W         65-55
1/28/2023     A         W         95-91
 
Idaho State is 55-62 All-Time vs. Idaho and 17-27 when playing on the road. In their first meeting this season Idaho State handed the Vandals their worst loss of conference play until this past weekend following Idaho's 18-point defeat to 2^nd place Northern Colorado. As of late the series has favored the Bengals, having defeated their rivals in 12 of their last 14 meetings.
 
UI brings in an 12-16 overall record on the season and 7-8 in conference play, with wins over Kansas City, Northern Colorado, and Northern Arizona.
 
The University of Idaho is lead in scoring by Kristian Gonzalez (11.3), Kolton Mitchell (10.9), Jack Payne (10.1), and Tyler Mrus (10.0). Julius Mims leads the team in rebounding, averaging 5.7 boards per game, followed by Jack Payne (5.0).
 
Eastern Washington University (10-18) (6-9)
Home (8-4), Away (2-13), Neutral (0-1)
ISU Recent Series vs. EWU
1/30/2025     H         W         78-70
2/15/2024     A         L          82-88
1/20/2024     H         L          67-79
2/25/2023     H         W         71-63
1/26/2023     A         L          68-81
 
Idaho State is 33-54 All-Time vs. Eastern Washington and 8-34 when playing on the road. Idaho State managed to defeat the Eagles in their last meeting earlier this season, 78-70, however, EWU has defeated the Bengals in 6 of their last 8 meetings.
 
Eastern Washington brings in a 10-18 overall record on the season and 6-9 in conference play, with wins North Dakota, Montana State, and Portland State.
 
Eastern Washington is lead in scoring by Andrew Cook (15.6), Mason Williams (14.3), Nic McClain (11.3). Emmett Marquardt leads the team in rebounding, averaging 4.4 boards per game, followed by Sebastian Hartmann (4.1).
 
Northern Arizona University (16-13) (7-9)
Home (10-4), Away (6-8), Neutral (0-1)
ISU Recent Series vs. EWU
1/30/2025     H         W         78-70
2/15/2024     A         L          82-88
1/20/2024     H         L          67-79
2/25/2023     H         W         71-63
1/26/2023     A         L          68-81
 
Idaho State is 64-57 All-Time vs. Northern Arizona and 38-16 when playing at home. Idaho State completed the 19-point comeback win last time these two programs met up, almost two months ago now on Jan. 2^nd in Flagstaff, AZ. Idaho State has owned the series vs. NAU as of late, winning 9 of the last 11 & 16 of their last 21 when facing off against the Lumberjacks.  
 
Northern Arizona brings in a 16-13 overall record on the season and 7-9 in conference play, with wins North Dakota, Montana State, and Portland State.
 
NAU is lead in scoring by Trent McLaughlin (21.7) (4^th in the NCAA), Carson Towt (13.2), and Jayden Jackson (12.2). The Lumberjacks also possess the nation's 2^nd leading rebounder in Carson Towt, averaging 12.4 boards per game.
 
Sacramento State Recap
The Bengals and Hornets would play each other closely the majority of the first half, however as the teams were knotted up at 17 each, Idaho State would go on an 18-2 run to give themselves a 16-point lead, 35-19, with 6:25 remaining in the half. The Bengals would grow their lead to 22 points before taking a 17-point lead, 47-30, into the halftime break.

The Hornets would cut the Idaho State lead down to 11 points a multitude of times throughout the second half, however, Sacramento State would be unable to get any closer than that the rest of the game, and Idaho State would earn an 83-66 victory.

Idaho State will improve to 13-13 overall, and 8-7 in Big Sky Conference play. Sacramento State will fall to 7-21 overall & 3-12 in Big Sky play.

Dylan Darling would end the game with a game high, 20 points, on 7-14 shooting from the floor and 4-8 from three-point land, six assists, five rebounds, and one steal. Jake O'Neil tallied his 13th double-double of the season, finishing with 15 points on 6-10 shooting from the field, 10 rebounds, and three assists. Isaiah Griffin put up 12 points on 5-11 shooting, six rebounds, and one assist. Connor Hollenbeck stuffed the stat sheet with five points, five rebounds, a career high five assists, and one block. The final Bengal starter would be big man, Evan Otten. Otten finished with six points, four blocks, and two rebounds.

The Bengals' bench once again played a vital role for Ryan Looney & Co. Led by AJ Burgin and Blake Daberkow who is having his best games in the Orange & Black as of late. Daberkow would total a career high 11 points on 5-8 shooting from the floor, one rebound, one block, and one steal in 19 minutes of play. AJ Burgin would pop off for 12 points on 4-5 shooting from deep, one rebound, and one assist in 16 minutes of action. Jackson Greene would also be all over this one, fouling out after recording two points, four rebounds, and one steal in 15 minutes.

The Bengals finished the game shooting 55.4 percent from the field and 43.5% from deep, going 10-23 from three-point range. Idaho State ended the game with 35 rebounds, 16 assists, and 3 steals.
Sacramento State finished the game shooting 45.1 percent from the field and 44.4 percent from three-point territory, going 12-27. The Hornets would finish with 27 boards, 4 steals, and 13 assists.

The Returning 4
4          Jaedyn Brown           G         R-Fr.   6-4      185     Pullman, WA
12        Isaiah Griffin             F          Sr.       6-6      210     Knightdale, NC
13        AJ Burgin                   G         Sr.       6-3      205     San Diego, Calif.
30        Evan Otten                C         R-Fr.   6-11    235     Redmond, OR                       
 
Hello My Name Is
0          Joey Madimba          G         Jr.       6-5      205     Mansfield, TX          
1          Dylan Darling            G         R-So.  6-1      180     Spokane, WA            
2          Nick Ghetie               G         Fr.       5-11    175     Portland, OR 
3          Quentin Meza           G         So.      6-0      180     West Valley City, UT
5          Cheikh Sow               G         Jr.       6-7      195     Theis, Senegal                     
8          Jake O'Neil                G         Gr.       6-4      210     Fruitland, ID             
10        Connor Hollenbeck  F          Gr.       6-7      225     Rapid City, SD
14        Covy Kelly                 G         Jr.       6-2      182     Garden Valley, ID
21        Jackson Greene       F          Jr.       6-7      215     Atlanta, GA               
24        Justin Graham         F          Sr.       6-7      200     Colorado Springs, CO
32        Blake Daberkow       C         Jr.       6-10    235     Lincoln, NE 

 
Bengal Bites

• The Bengals rank 1^st in the Big Sky in:
  • Free Throw Attempts Per Game (20.5) & Free Throw's Made Per Game (15.1)
  • Rebound Margin (+9.0) (8^th in NCAA), Offensive Rebounds Per Game (13.38) (11^th in NCAA)
  • Scoring Defense, holding opposing teams to just 69.9 PPG
• Idaho State ranks 2^nd in the Conference in Rebounds per Game (38.12)
• ISU is 2^nd in the Big Sky in Blocks per Game (4.8) (28^th in the NCAA)
• The Bengals rank 2^nd in the Big Sky in Turnover Margin (+1.0) & 3^rd in the Big Sky in Turnovers Forced per Game (12.08)
• Jake O'Neil recorded his 13^th double-double of the season (15 points & 10 rebounds) in Idaho State's win vs. Sacramento State on Feb. 22^nd (2^nd in the Big Sky & 9^th in the NCAA in Double-Doubles)
• Jake O'Neil has been a beast on the glass this season, ranking:
  • 1^st in the Big Sky and 11^th in the Country in Offensive Rebounds Per Game (3.65)
  • 2^nd in the Big Sky and 13^th in the Country in Rebounds Per Game (9.8)
  • 2^nd the Big Sky and is 24^th in the Country in Total Rebounds (254)
• Evan Otten ranks 5^th in the Big Sky in Offensive Rebounds Per Game (2.25)
• Evan Otten leads the Big Sky in Blocks and Blocks per Game, Otten ranks 17^th in the entire Country in Total Blocks (55) and is 14^th in the Country in Blocks per Game (2.12)
• The Bengals have 3 players inside the Top-22 in the Big Sky in Points Per Game:
  • Dylan Darling – 3^rd (19.2)
  • Jake O'Neil – 13^th (13.2)
  • Isaiah Griffin – 22^nd (11.2)
• Dylan Darling is T-3^rd in the NCAA in Scoring during the Month of February (174 Points)
• Dylan Darling is 2^nd in the Big Sky in Assists (141) and Assists per Game (5.9) (24^th in the NCAA)
• In Conference play, Dylan Darling leads the Big Sky in Scoring (22.7 PPG), Assists (6.0 APG), and Steals (1.8 SPG)
• Evan Otten now ranks 4^th All-Time in a Single Season in Blocks at Idaho State (62), passing Steve Hays' 1976-77 season total (57) after recording 3 blocks in the Bengals Feb. 20^th win over Portland State
• Head Coach, Ryan Looney, sits at 396 career wins, needing just 4 more to reach #400
• Ryan Looney has won 26.7% of ISU's All-Time wins at Weber State (ISU's 1^st game @ WSU was during the 1926-27 season)

 
Looking Ahead
Following Idaho State's final 3 games of the regular season, the Bengals will set their sights on the Big Sky Conference Tournament in Boise, ID. Idaho State looks to clinch a top-4 seed at the Tournament for the first time since the 2015-16 season. ISU is also in contention for the 3 seed, which would mark the highest regular season finish for the Bengals since 2003-04.
 
Follow the Bengals
Follow along at ISUBengals.com to keep up to date with the team. Fans can also follow the Bengals on social media  (Twitter: @IdahoStateMBB | Instagram:@Idahostatembb | Facebook:@IdahoStateMensBasketball)