Idaho State Athletics
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The Idaho State Bengals battled to a 77-70 win over the Hornets of Sacramento State Saturday in Sacramento, Calif. The Bengals are now at a program best 10-1 and 8-0 (Big Sky Conference) record. In a game that saw 13 lead changes, the Bengals hit vital field goals at the end of the fourth and survived a strong Sacramento State surge to end the game.
After four early lead changes in the first quarter, Delaney Moore hit a layup with 3:14 to play in the period giving the Bengals a 14-13 lead. The Bengals would then go on to hit four-of-five field goals to lead 23-20 at the end of the first after a Dora Goles buzzer beating three-pointer.
The Hornets came back in the second, hitting a layup with 6:12 left to cut the Bengal lead to 29-24. They then went on a 7-0 run to take a 31-29 lead with 3:34 left in the period..
The Bengals didn’t back down, Diaba Konate hit a free-throw with 2:49 left, bringing the score to within one at 31-30. With 46 seconds left in the half, Moore battled through a pack of three Hornet defenders for a layup to give the Bengals the 32-31 lead heading into halftime.
The Hornets came out in the third and retook the lead with 6:36 to play after a pair of free throws to make the score 40-36. Goles responded with a three-point jump shot to bring the Bengals back within one. Both teams battled back and forth until 2:12 left in the period whenMoore hit a jump shot to tie the game at 45 apiece. The Bengals went on a 8-0 run over the final two minutes that was highlighted by a three-point buzzer beater by Bourne to give the Bengals a 53-45 lead entering the final period.
The Bengals started the fourth by extending their lead to 15 points with 6:29 left after a layup by Estefania Ors to make the score 63-48.
The Hornets countered with a 15-0 run over the next two and a half minutes that saw three 3’s and three free throws to tie the game at 63-63 with 3:52 to play.
Facing the Hornets comeback push, Goles stole the ball and dished to Ors who laid it in to give the Bengals a 67-66 lead with 2:17 to play. The Bengals then iced the game thanks to layups by Goles and Moore and a pair of free throws by Konate and Goles to win the contest 77-70.
The Bengals finished the game shooting 50.9 percent from the field on 28-of-55 shots.
Four Bengals scored in double digits with Callie Bourne scoring a career-high 21 points on nine-of-16 shooting. Goles scored 15 points and Konate and Moore brought in 12 apiece.
From behind the arc, the Bengals shot 37.5 percent with Goles going three-of-five. Ors hit another three in the game giving her sole possession of second-place for all-time three pointers made in ISU history.
The Bengals tied the Hornets in rebounds with 31,. Bourne led the Bengals with eight boards including a team-high three offensive grabs. Moore finished with seven rebounds.
The Bengals return home on Thursday, Jan. 21 and Saturday, January 23 as they host the Portland State Vikings. Coverage will be provided on Pluto TV and KISU with radio host Mark Liptak calling all the action. Visit ISUBengals.com to follow along with the action and receive news and updates.
