POCATELLO, Idaho – Idaho State's return to Reed Gym ended in a 67–56 loss to Northern Colorado on Thursday night, as the Bears used a decisive third-quarter surge to pull away. The Bengals (9–5, 2–1 Big Sky) were within six at halftime but could not recover after Northern Colorado stretched the margin to as many as 16 in the second half. Head Coach Seton Sobolewski said afterward that "when big moments happen, big plays need to happen. They made them, not us."
How it Happened
Idaho State scored the first four points of the game on baskets by Kacey Spink and Tasia Jordan, taking a 4–0 lead at the 7:21 mark of the first quarter. Northern Colorado answered with a 7–0 run fueled by second-chance opportunities, then closed the period on a 9–2 run, capped by a Gabi Fields three at the horn, to take a 21–15 lead after one.
The Bengals chipped away in the second quarter behind interior scoring from Piper Carlson and Asa Wolfram. Wolfram's layup at the 5:49 mark cut the deficit to 23–21, but the Bears responded with a 6–0 run to restore a two-possession cushion. Idaho State stayed within range, and Carlson's hook shot with 0:33 left pulled the Bengals within four before a late Heather Baymon jumper sent Northern Colorado into halftime leading 31–25.
The game turned in the third quarter. After Spink opened the half with a three to make it 34–28, Northern Colorado went on a 9–0 run over the next three minutes. The surge included a Julia Riley three and finishes by Aniah Hall and Tatum West, pushing the lead to 43–33 at the 3:15 mark. The Bears continued to control the paint and the glass, extending the margin to 49–36 by the end of the quarter, their largest lead of the night at 16.
Idaho State made a push early in the fourth. Aspen Caldwell opened the period with a jumper, and the Bengals later put together an 8–0 run, highlighted by Spink and Tylie Jones, to cut the deficit to nine. Northern Colorado answered with interior baskets and free throws to halt the momentum and keep the lead in double figures the rest of the way, closing out the 67–56 win.
Spink led Idaho State with 13 points, a performance Sobolewski praised afterward, calling her "our steady Eddie, someone you can always count on."
Bengal Bites
Kace Spink now sits at 227 career steals, tied for first in the Idaho State record book. She needs one more to own the record outright
• Idaho State shot 35.5 percent from the field and 25.0 percent from three.
• Northern Colorado held a 36–33 rebounding edge and scored 30 points in the paint.
• The Bears' largest lead was 16 in the third quarter.
• Kacey Spink finished with 13 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and two steals.
• Idaho State was outscored 18–11 in the third quarter, the decisive frame.
