POCATELLO, Idaho – Idaho State (12-7, 5-3 BSC) rallied from a double-digit deficit in the second half and forced overtime, but Montana closed the extra period with the final basket to earn a 70–67 overtime win Saturday afternoon at Reed Gym. The Bengals built a 14-point first-quarter lead and held the Grizzlies to nine points in the opening period, but Montana's second-quarter surge shifted momentum before a late Idaho State comeback sent the game beyond regulation.
Following the game, Head Coach Seton Sobolewski remarked, "Great effort on our part to get back in the game. Montana played some really inspired basketball, and today their shots went in."
How It Happened
Montana did not score until deep into the opening quarter, marking the slowest opponent to score against Idaho State this season. The Bengals took advantage early as Tasia Jordan scored the game's first basket at 8:47, followed by a driving layup from Kacey Spink at 8:21 to spark a 6–0 run. Idaho State extended the surge to 10–0 behind interior scoring from Piper Carlson and transition offense.
Asa Wolfram knocked down her second career three-pointer at the 3:01 mark to push the Bengal lead to 14. Idaho State limited Montana to nine points in the quarter, the fifth time this season an opponent has been held to single digits in the opening frame, and led 20–9 after one.
Montana responded decisively in the second quarter. From the 5:02 mark to the final minute, the Grizzlies went on a 14–0 run, erasing the Bengal lead and moving in front 28–25. Montana scored 31 points in the quarter, the most allowed by Idaho State in any quarter this season, and carried a 40–33 advantage into halftime. Idaho State won the rebounding margin in the first half, but the contrast between the first and second quarters was evident across shooting, pace, and efficiency.
Montana pushed its lead to double figures in the third quarter, but Idaho State stayed within reach behind steady interior play and stops on the defensive end. The Grizzlies led 52–44 entering the fourth.
Idaho State mounted its comeback in the final period. By the 8:58 mark, Kacey Spink had recorded her 13th steal over the last two games, helping fuel a defensive push. Under three minutes to play, Spink hit a jumper to cut the deficit to one. Montana responded with a three-pointer to extend the lead back to four at 62–58 with 2:27 remaining.
At the 1:09 mark, Tasia Jordan converted two free throws to tie the game at 62–62, the first tie since 25–25 in the second quarter. Idaho State forced a stop on the final possession, sending the game to overtime.
In the extra period, Montana regained the lead with a three-pointer before scoring the final basket with 11 seconds remaining. Idaho State's final look at the buzzer came up short.
Bengal Bites
- Idaho State held Montana scoreless until late in the first quarter.
- The Bengals held Montana to nine points in the opening period, the fifth such occurrence this season.
- Montana's 14–0 second-quarter run flipped a 14-point ISU lead into a Griz advantage.
- Montana's 31 second-quarter points were the most scored by an ISU opponent this season.
- Idaho State won the first-half rebounding margin.
- Kacey Spink recorded 13 steals over the last two games.
- Tasia Jordan tied the game with two free throws at 1:09, forcing overtime.
- The game featured three lead changes and was tied twice.
