GREELEY, CO – Idaho State men's basketball showed resilience and offensive efficiency in the second half but was unable to overcome a decisive first-half surge by Northern Colorado, falling 72-85 Thursday night at Bank of Colorado Arena. The loss dropped the Bengals to 8–8 overall and 1–2 in Big Sky Conference play, while the Bears improved to 11–5 overall and 1–2 in league action.
Northern Colorado's perimeter shooting in the opening 20 minutes proved to be the difference, as the Bears built a 15-point halftime lead and maintained control despite Idaho State's improved shooting after the break.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Idaho State opened the game with an early basket from Evan Otten at the 19:39 mark, but Northern Colorado quickly found its rhythm from the perimeter. After Jamison Guerra connected on a three-pointer at 18:16 to pull the Bengals within one, the Bears answered with a 14–3 run from the 18:16 to 13:06 mark, fueled by four three-pointers, to build a double-digit advantage.
Northern Colorado continued to stretch the lead behind efficient ball movement and outside shooting. A 9–0 run between the 8:45 and 4:12 marks pushed the margin to 33–19, and the Bears closed the half on a strong note to take a 40–25 lead into the locker room after shooting 50.0 percent from the field and 45.5 percent (10-22) from three in the first half.
The Bengals responded with greater urgency after halftime. Jamison Guerra scoring or assisting on Idaho State's first eight points of the second half, and the Bengals shot 57.7 percent from the field over the final 20 minutes. Idaho State trimmed the deficit to 12 on multiple occasions, including following a Louis Bond pull up jumper at the 4:57 mark that made it 62-74.
Despite the improved offensive execution, Northern Colorado answered each run. A pair of late Zach Bloch three-pointer's for Northern Colorado, sealed the outcome for the Bears as Idaho State was unable to string together consecutive stops down the stretch.
PLAYER STATS
Jamison Guerra led all scorers with 26 points, shooting 9-of-13 from the field while adding two rebounds, one assist, and one steal.
Evan Otten contributed six points, one rebound, and one block, while captain, Connor Hollenbeck was held to a season-low, two points, to go along with five rebounds. Martin Kheil was held scoreless for the first time since being called into the starting lineup on Nov. 21st. The final starter for Idaho State in this one was Lachlan Brewer, who would register just two points and four rebounds.
Outside of Guerra, the Bengals starters would struggle to find their offensive groove, totaling a combined 10 points on 4-15 shooting from the field and 0-6 shooting from beyond the arc.
Off the bench for the Bengals, Cheikh Sow provided a strong presence inside, finishing with his first career Division I double-double, totaling 10 points and a game-high 12 rebounds. Louis Bond delivered an efficient scoring effort, totaling nine points on a perfect 3-of-3 shooting night, including a three-pointer. Gus Etchison would be the final Bengal to reach double figures in scoring, putting up 10 points on 4-9 shooting from the field. Caleb Van De Griend added two points and three rebounds in limited minutes and Blake Daberkow would end his night with five points and one rebound.
TEAM STATS
Idaho State finished the game shooting 45.6 percent from the field, including 57.7 percent in the second half, but struggled from beyond the arc, connecting on just 3-of-17 (17.6 percent) from three-point range. The Bengals went 17-of-23 (73.9 percent) at the free-throw line, totaled 35 rebounds, just two assists, four steals, and committed 10 turnovers.
Northern Colorado shot 51.8 percent from the field and a blistering 45.7 percent from three-point range, knocking down 16 three-pointers. The Bears finished with 31 rebounds, 16 assists, five steals, and eight turnovers, using their perimeter efficiency to control the game.
BENGAL BITES
• Northern Colorado hit 10 three-pointers in the first half and finished with 16 for the game.
• Idaho State shot nearly 58 percent from the field in the second half.
• Jamison Guerra scored a game-high 26 points on 9-of-13 shooting.
• Cheikh Sow recorded a double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds.
• The Bengals outscored Northern Colorado 47–45 in the second half.
• Idaho State recorded 36 bench points.
• Idaho State's two assists was the lowest total assists in a game since they also finished with two nearly eight years ago, against Northern Colorado on Jan. 21st, 2018.
NEXT UP
Idaho State finishes off their quick two game road trip in Flagstaff, AZ against Northern Arizona, where Idaho State has won the last nine meetings in a row in the J. Lawrence Walkup Skydome against the Lumberjacks. Tip is scheduled for 6 p.m.
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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Fans can purchase tickets at idahostate.evenue.net/list/Athl. The ISU Ticket Office can be reached at (208) 282-4093 or joyerin@isu.edu.
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