OGDEN, Utah – Idaho State men's basketball dropped a hard-fought 79–81 decision at Weber State on Saturday afternoon at the Dee Events Center, as the Bengals suffered their fourth straight loss and sixth in their last eight games despite a career performance from Connor Hollenbeck and a strong night from Martin Kheil.

Idaho State had multiple opportunities late but could not convert in the final seconds, falling in a game that featured 11 lead changes and remained a one-possession contest for much of the second half.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The opening half featured back-and-forth play from the opening tip, with neither team able to establish consistent separation. Idaho State weathered early Weber State pressure and answered with timely perimeter shooting and strong execution in the half court. Idaho State would ride a 4-0 run into the halftime break leading 38-33.

The second half opened with Idaho State pushing their lead to a game-high 13 points multiple times, however, Weber State would go on a 14-2 run cutting the Bengals' lead down to just one, 54-53, with 10:08 to play.

Idaho State and Weber State would go back-and-forth the rest of the way. The Bengals would take a 79-77 lead following a Jamison Guerra layup with :56 seconds remaining. WSU would go 1-2 from the free-throw line, then force a turnover from the Bengals with 18 seconds to play. On the ensuing possesion the Wildcats would hit a dagger three-pointer with 3.9 left on the clock, to hand Idaho State the 79-81 loss. 

PLAYER STATS

Connor Hollenbeck delivered the best performance of his Idaho State career, leading the Bengals offensively with a career high 27 points on 9-13 shooting from the floor and 3-7 from deep, while playing 37 minutes and impacting the game on both ends of the floor with his seven rebounds. Martin Kheil followed with one of his strongest outings of the season, scoring an efficient 19 points on 7-12 shooting from the field and 5-10 from beyond the arc in a career-high 39 minutes of play.

Evan Otten played arguably his best game of the 2025-26 season, ending the day with tying his career-high in scoring with 13 points on 5-9 shooting, seven rebounds, three blocks, one steal, and one assist in 22 minutes of action.

Lachlan Brewer finished with seven points, three assists, and one rebounds, while the final Bengal starter, Jamison Guerra, would tally five points, six assists, four rebounds, and one steal.

Off the bench for Idaho State, Blake Daberkow would put up six points and three rebounds, and Louis Bond would total two points, two steals, and two assists. Caleb Van De Griend, Gus Etchison, and Cheikh Sow would also provide Ryan Looney & Co. with valuable minutes off the bench.

TEAM STATS

Idaho State ended the game shooting 53.7% (29-54) from the floor and 40.9% (9-22) from three-point range. The Bengals would end the game with 26 rebounds, 16 assists, seven steals, four blocks, and 11 turnovers committed. 

Weber State finished the contest shooting 47.5% (28-59) from the field and 45.0% (9-20) from beyond the arc. The Wildcats totaled 33 rebounds, 11 assists, six steals, one block, and 11 turnovers committed.

BENGAL BITES

• Connor Hollenbeck recorded a career game, leading the Bengals in scoring for the 7th time this season

• Martin Kheil continued his strong offensive stretch, tying his career high for 3PM in a game (5-10)

• The game featured 11 lead changes and was decided in the final four seconds

• Idaho State's 53.7% shooting marked their 2nd best shooting game of the season 

NEXT UP

Idaho State will finish off their grueling four game road trip with a Monday night game in Portland, OR against Big Sky leaders, Portland State, on Monday, Feb. 2nd at 8 p.m. MT.

The game will be aired on ESPN+, or can listen along to the Voice of the Bengals, Scott Gross, on KISU 91.1 FM.

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