POCATELLO, Idaho – Idaho State men's basketball dropped its sixth straight game and eighth in its last 10 outings on Thursday night, falling 73–79 to Northern Arizona at Reed Gym. A scorching first-half shooting performance by the Lumberjacks proved too much to overcome, despite strong individual efforts from Connor Hollenbeck and Jamison Guerra and a more balanced second half from the Bengals.
Northern Arizona shot 70.8 percent (17-24) from the field and 71.4 percent (5-7) from three-point range in the opening half, building a six-point lead at the break and setting the tone for the night. Idaho State matched the Lumberjacks point-for-point in the second half, but the early deficit ultimately held up down the stretch.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Northern Arizona and Idaho State battled the entire first half, neither team building a lead larger than three. Until Northern Arizona would go on a 5-0 run in the final 1:06 of the first half, givign the 'Jacks a six-point lead at the break, 40–34, after shooting better than 70 percent in the period.
The Bengals and Lumberjacks remained tight in the second half, after NAU grew their lead to a game-high 12 points with 10:32 remaining, ISU would respond cutting the deificet to just four in a minute and fifty seconds.
Idaho State continued to battle and cut the deficit to four points multiple times in the final six minutes. With under a minute remaining, the Bengals had a chance to make it a one-score game, but Northern Arizona converted at the free-throw line to seal the outcome.
PLAYER STATS
Connor Hollenbeck led Idaho State with a strong all-around performance, finishing with a game-high 23 points on 8-of-14 shooting while knocking down all six of his free throws. Jamison Guerra added 11 points, five assists, and six rebounds, continuing his steady play at the point guard position. Martin Kheil contributed nine points on 3-of-6 shooting from three, five rebounds, and three steals, while Lachlan Brewer chipped in four points, two rebounds, and two assists, and Evan Otten added four points, three rebounds, and six blocks.
Off the bench for the Bengals, Caleb Van De Griend provided a spark with 14 points and six rebounds, going a perfect 4-for-4 from the free-throw line. Louis Bond added four points, while Gus Etchison and Blake Daberkow each scored two. Cheikh Sow logged two assists and minutes defensively as Idaho State rotated through its frontcourt.
TEAM STATS
Idaho State finished the night shooting 54.0 percent (28-50) from the field, 35.0 percent (7-20) from three-point range, and 75.0 percent (12-16) at the free-throw line. The Bengals totaled 25 rebounds, 16 assists, three blocks, four steals, and comitted seven turnovers.
Northern Arizona shot 59.2 percent (29-49) overall, 50.0 percent (10-20) from beyond the arc, and 73.3 percent (11-15) at the free-throw line. The Lumberjacks recorded 31 bench points to go along with 18 rebounds, 15 assists, three steals, one block, and committed just five turnovers, their lowest in any game this season.
BENGAL BITES
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Northern Arizona's 70.8 percent first-half shooting marked the highest field-goal percentage allowed by the Bengals in any half this season.
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Connor Hollenbeck led Idaho State in scoring for the 9th time this season.
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Jamison Guerra finished with a team-high six assists and continued his stretch of consistent backcourt play.
