CHENEY, Washington — Idaho State men's basketball fell 75–88 to Eastern Washington on Thursday night at Reese Court, marking the Bengals' eighth straight loss and 10th setback in their last 12 games. The eight-game skid is tied for the second-longest losing streak during the Ryan Looney era.

Despite a strong performance from captain, Connor Hollenbeck, Idaho State was unable to slow an efficient Eastern Washington offense that shot better than 55 percent from the field and gradually created separation in the second half.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The first half featured back-and-forth momentum, with Idaho State building an early lead before Eastern Washington answered. The Bengals took a 15–9 advantage at the 15:39 mark following a Jamison Guerra free throw, but the Eagles responded with a 7–0 run over the next 1:33 to reclaim the lead.

Idaho State settled in offensively midway through the half, using interior finishes and transition baskets to keep pace. A Blake Daberkow layup at the 8:01 mark gave the Bengals a four point advantage, but Eastern Washington answered with an 14-2 stretch between the 8:01 and 4:31 marks to push the margin to eight in favor of EWU.

Connor Hollenbeck trimmed the deficit to five with a layup in the final minute of the half, but Eastern Washington carried a 45–38 lead into the break after shooting just under 55 percent in the opening 20 minutes.

Eastern Washington extended its advantage early in the second half. A 4–0 run over the first 1:22 pushed the margin to double digits, and later a 11-1 stretch from the 11:44 mark to 9:13 gave the Eagles a game-high 18-point cushion.

Hollenbeck scored eight points over the final eight minutes, including a three-point play at the 1:57 mark, but Idaho State could not close the gap inside single digits as Eastern Washington secured the win.

PLAYER STATS

Connor Hollenbeck led Idaho State in scoring for the 10th time this season, finishing with 16 points on 5-of-8 shooting while adding eight rebounds and converting all five of his free-throw attempts. Jamison Guerra added 14 points and three assists, while Evan Otten chipped in two rebounds. Lachlan Brewer totaled three points and three rebounds, and the final Bengal starter, Martin Kheil ended his evening with seven points and one assist.

Off the bench for Idaho State, Caleb Van De Griend chipped in 13 points on 6-of-8 shooting with four rebounds, and Gus Etchison provided 10 points, knocking down key baskets to keep Idaho State within reach early on. Balek Daberkow would put up four points and three rebounds in 11 minutes of play. Louis Bond and Cheikh Sow added minutes defensively as the Bengals rotated through lineups in the second half that also saw Quin Patterson, Landen Birley, and Kasen Carpenter see playing time.

TEAM STATS

Idaho State shot 44.2 percent (23-52) from the field, 23.8 percent (5-21) from three-point range, and 80.0 percent (24-30) from the free-throw line. The Bengals totaled 31 rebounds, 6 assists, two blocks, two steals, and committed 13 turnovers.

Eastern Washington shot 55.8 percent (29-52) from the floor, 33.3 percent (6-18) from three-point range, and 92.3 percent (24-26) at the free-throw line. The Eagles finished with 21 rebounds, 22 assists, six blocks, seven steals, and committed just six turnovers. 

BENGAL BITES

• Idaho State made 24 free-throw's, their 3rd most in a single game this season.

• Connor Hollenbeck led the team in scoring for the 10th time this season.

• The game featured 11 lead changes in the first half before Eastern Washington created separation after halftime.
   

NEXT UP

Idaho State finishes off their final multi-game road trip of the 2025-26 regular season with a Valentine's Date with rivals, the Idaho Vandals, in Moscow, ID on Saturday, Feb. 14th, tipoff is set for 4 p.m. MT.

The Bengals and Vandals men's and women's teams are split 1-1 in the season series in the Battle for King Spud. If either school's men's and women's teams split the matchups on Saturday, they will win King Spud outright. If the teams split once again, then it will go to a point total tiebreaker, which the Idaho Vandals currently own by five points.

Both games 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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