SACRAMENTO, California — Idaho State closed out the 2025-26 regular season Monday night with an 65–83 loss at Sacramento State inside Hornet Pavilion. With the result, the Bengals finish the regular season 12-19 overall and 5-13 in Big Sky play. Idaho State will enter the Big Sky Tournament as the No. 9 seed and will face No. 10 seed Northern Arizona in the opening round on Saturday, March 7 at 5:30 p.m.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Idaho State opened the night with early energy, jumping out to a 7-3 lead after a Martin Kheil three-pointer and a Caleb Van De Griend paint finish. The Hornets responded quickly, knocking down perimeter shots and pushing the tempo in transition to seize control midway through the first half.
Sacramento State shot 57.1 percent in the opening period and built a 46-29 halftime advantage. The Hornets closed the half on a 20-3 surge over the final minutes to create separation.
In the second half, Sacramento State extended its lead to as many as 26 points before Idaho State began to chip away behind its bench unit. Louis Bond ignited a spark, scoring in transition and knocking down a pair of three-pointers to trim the deficit to 17 with just over eight minutes remaining. Bond continued to attack downhill, finishing through contact and converting in the paint as the Bengals found more rhythm offensively.
PLAYER STATS
Connor Hollenbeck led the starters with 12 points and five rebounds, adding three assists and two steals in 26 minutes. Jamison Guerra finished with six points and six assists, while Lachlan Brewer contributed five points. Martin Kheil added three points, and Evan Otten finsihed with one block in limited action.
The Idaho State bench provided a major lift, led by Louis Bond's standout performance. Bond poured in a team-high 15 points on 6-of-10 shooting and 2-of-5 from three, while grabbing five rebounds and adding a block in 23 minutes. Blake Daberkow posted seven points and six rebounds, while Caleb Van De Griend totaled five points and four boards. Quin Patterson added five points off the bench, including a three-pointer, and Cheikh Sow contributed two rebounds.
Idaho State's reserves accounted for 39 of the team's 65 points.
TEAM STATS
Idaho State shot 37.9 percent (22-of-58) from the field, 20.7 percent (6-of-29) from three, and 71.4 percent (15-of-21) from the free-throw line. The Bengals totaled 32 rebounds, 14 assists, five steals, and four blocks while committing 12 turnovers.
Sacramento State shot 53.7 percent (29-of-54) from the floor and 38.9 percent (7-of-18) from beyond the arc, using efficient offense in the first half to build a decisive cushion. The Hornets finshed the game with 33 rebounds, 21 assists, seven steals, four blocks, and nine turnovers committed.
NEXT UP
With the regular season complete, Idaho State now turns its focus to postseason play, looking to carry the momentum from its bench production into the Big Sky Tournament.
