POCATELLO, Idaho — Idaho State used a dominant third quarter, and surged forward in the fourth quarter to defeat Eastern Washington, 77-65, Thursday night at Reed Gym. The Bengals improved to 17-7 overall and 10-3 in Big Sky play, while the Eagles fell to 12-13, 5-7 in conference action.
How it Happened
Eastern Washington built an early 7-2 lead after a Jaecy Eggers three-pointer at the 7:59 mark of the first quarter. Idaho State answered behind Tasia Jordan, who scored on a fast break layup at 6:30 following her own steal to cap a 6-0 Bengal run and give ISU an 8-7 edge.
The first quarter featured three ties and three lead changes. Alyse Aby tied the game at 14-14 with a jumper at 1:30 after a steal, and Asa Wolfram converted a second-chance hook shot with 11 seconds left to send Idaho State into the break ahead 18-15.
In the second quarter, Jordan sparked a key stretch. She scored in transition off a steal at 8:58 to push the lead to 22-15, and Piper Carlson followed with a layup at 7:53 after multiple offensive rebounds to extend the margin to 24-15. After Eastern Washington trimmed the lead to 24-21 on back-to-back threes, Idaho State responded with a 10-0 run. A three-pointer by Aby at 3:54 and a floating jumper from Tylie Jones at 3:27, both off turnovers, highlighted the surge. Aby's two free throws at 2:46 made it 31-21. The Eagles closed the half on a 7-0 run, cutting the deficit to 31-28 at intermission.
Idaho State seized control in the third quarter. Carlson opened the half with a layup at 9:31, and Jordan followed with a steal and fast break score at 9:13 to stretch the lead to seven. After Eastern Washington cut it to 40-35, Jordan again converted off a steal at 6:43, completing a three-point play to cap a 9-0 burst and give the Bengals a 45-35 advantage.
Later in the period, Halle Wright knocked down two free throws at 5:51 and Kacey Spink added a pull-up jumper at 5:37, pushing the lead to 49-35, the largest of the night to that point. Idaho State carried a 54-46 lead into the fourth.
In the final quarter, Jordan scored in the paint at 8:51 to make it 56-49. Wright converted a second-chance layup and free throw at 8:01 to extend the margin to 59-49. After Eastern Washington trimmed the lead to six, Idaho State answered with back-to-back three-pointers from Wright at 4:12 and 2:51, both coming off turnovers, stretching the advantage to 69-57.
Maeva Gauffrenet added consecutive three-pointers at 1:40 and 0:51 to seal the game, giving ISU a 75-63 lead. Aspen Caldwell converted two free throws with 31 seconds remaining as Idaho State closed out the 77-65 victory.
Bengal Bites
- The Benagls 5 turnovers is the least against a DI opponent since 1/27/2022 when ISU had 3 against Sacramento State
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Tasia Jordan led Idaho State with 21 points on 9-of-17 shooting.
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Ella Gallatin scored 20 points to lead Eastern Washington.
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Piper Carlson added 15 points and 12 rebounds for a double-double.
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Idaho State forced 17 turnovers and scored 35 points off those turnovers.
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The Bengals shot 44.1 percent from the field and outscored the Eagles 23-18 in the third quarter.
