POCATELLO, Idaho — Idaho State secured a 59-54 road victory over Weber State on Saturday afternoon at the Dee Events Center, improving to 19-9 overall and 12-5 in Big Sky Conference play.
The Bengals controlled the tempo for much of the afternoon, leading for more than 36 minutes, and relied on clutch free-throws to close out the win. Kacey Spink led Idaho State with 13 points, 14 rebounds, and six assists, recording her fifth double-double of the season. The performance marked the team's 13th double-double of the year. Piper Carlson added 12 points and nine rebounds.
How It Happened
Idaho State set the tone early. After Weber State briefly grabbed a one-point edge at 7-6 with 6:16 left in the first, the Bengals answered immediately. Maeva Gauffrenet knocked down a second-chance three at 5:25 to put ISU back in front, and free throws from Spink at 4:35 pushed the lead to four.
Halle Wright converted two free throws at the 2:28 mark, and Tasia Jordan scored on a pull-up jumper at 1:37 to cap a six-point stretch that gave Idaho State a 15-9 advantage. Carlson added a late layup with 0:51 remaining in the quarter, and the Bengals closed the period ahead 17-12.
Defense dictated the second quarter. Carlson scored inside at 8:12 to extend the margin to seven, and Spink buried a three-pointer at 7:24 to give Idaho State its largest lead of the afternoon at 22-14. Weber State chipped away, trimming the deficit to two late in the half, but Carlson answered again with a layup at 2:54. Jordan split a pair at the line at 1:01, and Idaho State carried a 25-22 lead into halftime despite shooting 31 percent in the opening half.
The third quarter proved pivotal. After Weber State tied the game at 31-31 with 6:14 remaining, Asa Wolfram responded with a jumper at 5:50 to regain the lead. Moments later, Alyse Aby converted a fast-break layup at 4:33 and completed the three-point play to push the margin to five.
Carlson finished through contact in transition at 2:09 to stretch the advantage to 40-35, and Jordan added a layup at 1:43 to keep ISU in control. Wolfram closed the quarter with a fast-break basket at the buzzer, giving Idaho State a 44-39 lead heading to the fourth.
Aby struck again early in the final period, knocking down a second-chance three at 9:18 to restore an eight-point cushion at 47-39. Carlson followed with a layup at 8:35 to maintain separation.
Weber State made its final surge midway through the quarter, scoring six straight to cut the deficit to 49-47 with 2:50 remaining. Idaho State steadied itself at the free throw line. Tylie Jones scored inside at 1:28, then went 2-for-2 at the stripe at the 1:00 mark to extend the lead to four.
Spink sealed the game in the closing seconds, going 4-for-4 at the line in the final 19 seconds. Wolfram added two more free throws with no time remaining to account for the final margin, securing the 59-54 victory.
Idaho State shot 31.1 percent from the field but controlled the glass, outrebounding Weber State 46-33, including 16 offensive boards. The Bengals also held advantages in fast break points, 18-2, and second-chance points, 14-3.
Bengal Bites
- Idaho State improved to 12-5 in Big Sky play.
- The Bengals outrebounded Weber State 46-33.
- ISU went 18-of-19 from the free throw line, 94.7 percent.
- Idaho State held Weber State to eight second-quarter points.
- The Bengals recorded 12 steals and forced 15 turnovers.
- Spink posted her fifth double-double of the season, the team's 13th this year.
- Carlson finished with 12 points and nine rebounds.
