Photo Courtesy of Idaho State Athletics
Taylor Meeks
Sports Editor
The Idaho State University women’s basketball team defeated Seattle U, 73-48, in Reed Gymnasium on Nov. 1.
The Bengals knocked down 27 of 61 shots from the field for an overall 44.3 shooting percentage as well as shooting 46.7 percent from behind the three-point arc (7-15). The Bengals also made 12 of 18 from the line.
“We have this thing we do in our locker room where we have this trophy and it’s handed out, player-to-player, according to how they played during the game,” head coach Seton Sobolewski said. “It was really hard to figure out who to give the trophy to this game because there’s so many people who made amazing contributions.”
Montana Oltrogge led the Bengals on the offensive end with 19 points and seven rebounds. The sophomore made six of 10 from the field, sunk three of five three-pointers and was perfect from the line making four of four free throws.
Lone senior Estefania Ors contributed a double-double against the Redhawks putting up 13 points and securing 10 of the team’s 50 boards. Ors was five of 11 from the field and one of two from the three-point arc.
The Bengal defense had a phenomenal performance causing 17 turnovers and eight steals that resulted in 13 points. The Orange and Black held the Redhawks to just a 25.4 shooting percentage from the field and 16.7 three-point percentage.
“We have to have that,” Sobolewski said. “It’s a big part of our culture. We want to work hard and play good defense. When you aren’t playing well on the offensive end, hopefully a good defense will allow you to hang in the game.”
Seattle U fought early in the game with the score tied, 12-12, with just over two minutes remaining in the first quarter. ISU took advantage of the remainder of the time and started hot in the second quarter to go on a 12-0 run, putting them up 24-12, with 7:32 left in the second quarter.
ISU picked up 35 defensive boards led by Callie Bourne with eight and Diaba Konate with six. The Redhawks came back to cut the Bengals lead to 24-18 but would not get any closer for the remainder of the game. ISU led 34-25 at halftime.
“I think we are getting better each game, each practice,” Oltrogge said. “We still have a lot to work on. We have some big games coming up. It gets better every day.”
The Bengals went on to dominate Seattle U, outscoring them 26-10 in the third quarter and leading by as much as 29 points early in the fourth quarter.
ISU played a match on Tuesday night against Oklahoma State in Stillwater, Okla. after this edition was printed. ISU continues its road trip in Durham, N.C. against Duke Thursday evening, Nov. 21 at 5 p.m.
“No changes,” Oltrogge said. “We are going to practice like we always practice, prepare for them like we always prepare and just mentally go in strong and ready to compete.”
