POCATELLO, Idaho - Idaho State erased multiple double-digit deficits and closed the game with a decisive fourth quarter to earn a 79–70 road win over Northern Arizona on Wednesday night at the Walkup Skydome. The Bengals trailed by as many as 12 points in the opening quarter but stayed composed, steadily chipping away before taking control late, securing their fifth win in the last six games. "I loved our team's fight tonight. Multiple times we had a double digit deficit that we fought back from," said Head Coach Seton Sobolewski. Idaho State improves to 15-7 on the year and 8-3 in Big Sky play.
How It Happened
Northern Arizona came out sharp offensively, opening the game on a 7–0 run in the first two minutes before Idaho State settled in. The Lumberjacks extended the lead to 13–2 at the 6:35 mark of the first quarter, forcing the Bengals to play from behind early. Idaho State responded with baskets from Aspen Caldwell and Piper Carlson to slow the momentum, but NAU continued to push the pace and held a 24–18 advantage at the end of the opening period.
The Bengals began to find their rhythm in the second quarter. After Northern Arizona stretched the lead back to double figures at 28–18, Idaho State answered with a steady response rather than forcing quick shots. Tylie Jones sparked an 8–0 run with a layup and free throws, and Asa Wolfram followed with a jumper in the lane to cut the deficit to two. Idaho State briefly grabbed the lead late in the quarter following a Spink drive and dish that led to a finish inside, but NAU hit a three-pointer with one second remaining to take a 41–40 lead into halftime.
The third quarter was tightly contested and featured multiple lead changes. Idaho State opened the half with free throws to move in front, but Northern Arizona countered with an 11–2 run midway through the period to regain control and push the lead to seven. The Bengals answered again, this time with strong interior play and second-chance points. Carlson converted on a putback, and Caldwell added a transition basket to keep Idaho State within one possession. Despite the back-and-forth, NAU held a slim 58–56 edge heading into the fourth.
Idaho State took control in the final 10 minutes. The Bengals opened the quarter with a 5–0 spurt, highlighted by a Wolfram jumper and a Spink finish at the rim, to reclaim the lead. After Northern Arizona briefly tied the game, Idaho State delivered its most decisive stretch of the night. Alyse Aby knocked down back-to-back three-pointers during a 10–2 run that pushed the Bengals in front by eight with 5:38 remaining.
From there, Idaho State continued to apply pressure on both ends. The Bengals dominated the paint down the stretch, converting inside looks while limiting NAU to contested perimeter shots. Idaho State extended the lead to double digits with under three minutes remaining and closed the game at the free-throw line, outscoring the Lumberjacks 23–12 in the fourth quarter to secure the 79–70 road victory.
Bengal Bites
• Kacey Spink led all scorers with 17 points and posted a double-double with a game-high 11 rebounds, adding four assists and two steals.
• Piper Carlson was highly efficient, finishing with 16 points on 8-of-12 shooting to go along with five rebounds.
• Alyse Aby reached double figures with 10 points, knocking down two three-pointers and scoring key baskets during Idaho State's fourth-quarter run.
• Aspen Caldwell impacted the game across the box score, contributing six assists, three steals, and a team-high three blocks.
• Tasia Jordan grabbed five rebounds and dished out four assists while logging over 22 minutes off the bench.
• Idaho State placed four players in double figures and held a +13 rebounding advantage, 41–28.• Idaho State outscored Northern Arizona 23–12 in the fourth quarter.
• The Bengals held a 48–24 advantage in points in the paint.
• Idaho State finished with a 17–7 edge in second-chance points.
• The Bengals posted 24 bench points while limiting NAU to two.
• Idaho State improved to 15–7 overall and 8–3 in Big Sky play with the win.
