CHENEY, Wash. – Idaho State women's basketball leaned on its defense and timely shot-making to grind out a 66–57 road win at Eastern Washington on Friday afternoon at Reese Court. Despite scoring just seven points in the opening quarter, the Bengals settled in and controlled the game from there, improving to 11–6 overall and 4–2 in Big Sky Conference play.
Idaho State's slow offensive start produced its second-lowest first-quarter scoring output of the season, but the Bengals immediately flipped the tone on the defensive end. Eastern Washington managed just seven points in the opening 10 minutes and finished the half with 17 points, the fewest Idaho State has allowed any opponent in the 2026 calendar year.
"Our offense wasn't working super great to start, we just weren't making shots," said Piper Carlson. "We really just picked it up on defense, and our defense was our motor the entire game."
The defensive pressure carried into the second quarter, where Idaho State outscored the Eagles 20–11 to take a 27–18 halftime lead. The Bengals consistently disrupted passing lanes and turned stops into transition opportunities, finishing the game with 20 points off 19 Eastern Washington turnovers. Carlson helped spark the run by attacking the paint, while the bench provided a steady lift as Idaho State built separation.
Eastern Washington made its push in the third quarter, trimming the deficit to just two midway through the period. Idaho State responded immediately. Back-to-back three-pointers from Aspen Caldwell and Tasia Jordan halted the momentum and steadied the Bengals, who closed the quarter ahead 44–37.
Jordan, held in check early, found her rhythm in the second half by pushing the pace and capitalizing in transition. "By them taking Tay away early, we really just found each other on kick-outs," Carlson said. "We had some nice knockdowns and just played together."
The Bengals took firm control in the fourth quarter with a decisive opening stretch, extending the lead to double digits and never allowing the margin to dip below eight the rest of the way. Idaho State went 10-of-13 from the free-throw line in the final period to close the door.
Carlson led Idaho State with 15 points on 6-of-10 shooting, marking her second-highest scoring output of the season, and added five rebounds. Jordan finished with eight points, four rebounds, and three steals, while Kacey Spink contributed nine points and three steals. Asa Wolfram knocked down the first three-pointer of her collegiate career during the second half.
"First part was being able to create the turnovers," head coach Seton Sobolewski said. "You're playing against a team that handles the ball really well, so you have to disrupt things. Then offensively, we had to move them and find the right moments. We got really good production off the bench, and I thought Piper responded really well tonight."
Idaho State finished with a 22–3 advantage in bench points and held Eastern Washington to 34.5 percent shooting, including just 26.1 percent from three-point range.
With the win, the Bengals improved to 15–28 all-time in Cheney and 42–47 in the series. Idaho State now returns home for four straight games, beginning Thursday night against Montana State. Tip-off is set for 7:00 p.m. MT at Reed Gym.
Bengal Bites
• Idaho State improved to 11–6 overall and 4–2 in Big Sky Conference play with the road win.
• The Bengals scored just seven points in the first quarter, their second-lowest first-quarter total of the season.
• Idaho State held Eastern Washington to 17 first-half points, the fewest allowed by the Bengals to any opponent in 2026.
• ISU forced 19 turnovers and converted them into 20 points.
• Piper Carlson led all scorers with 15 points, her second-highest scoring performance of the season.
• Idaho State held a 22–3 advantage in bench points.
• Asa Wolfram made the first three-pointer of her collegiate career.
• The Bengals improved to 15–28 all-time in Cheney and 42–47 in the overall series.
• Idaho State returns home for four straight games, beginning Thursday against Montana State.
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