Written by Jon Match
POCATELLO, Idaho – Estefania Ors hit a three-pointer with 4:19 to play in the first quarter en route to one of the highest individual scoring performances in school history. Bengals didn’t look back as they downed the Montana State Bobcats 67-57 Saturday Afternoon in Reed Gym.
The Bengals’ exciting win started off uneventful, scoring their first points with 7:19 to play in the first quarter and not scoring again until Ors’ first three pointer with 4:19 to play.
Once the scoring drought broke though, the Bengals took advantage going on an 11-2 run to close out the quarter with a 14-8 lead. In the first, the Bengals' run was propelled by their dominance on the glass. The Orange and Black outrebounded the Bobcats 15-6 with five O boards.
In the second quarter, the Bengals held onto the lead matching the Bobcats shot for shot. Ors led the charge in the second, going perfect from the field on three-of-three shooting with two three-pointers.
The Bengals headed into the locker room with a seven-point lead over the Bobcats after shooting five-of-15 from behind the three-point line.
Heading into the third, the Orange and Black knew they couldn’t have a slow start to the second half. The Bengals didn’t’ wait, scoring 23 third quarter points on 10-of-20 shooting from the field. The Bengals were led by Ors nine points and Tomekia Whitman added eight points to the Bengals’ spread.
With 3:13 left in the third, Montana State retook the lead after Kola Bad Bear converted an and-1 scoring play. Not 10 seconds later, Whitman hit a three-pointer to tie the game back up. MSU would tie the game one more time before the Bengals put the foot on the gas outscoring the Bobcats 6-1 in the final two minutes to head into the final period with the lead.
Taking a six-point lead into the final 10 minutes the Bengals looked to close against the bobcats. Ors took the chance to show her leadership and in the final 10 minutes of play went a perfect three-of-three from the field with two three pointers, two free throws, two rebounds and two assists.
The Bengals withstood the final period and secured the conference win over the Bobcats 67-57.
Ors had a career night. Her 33 points are good for one of the best individual performances in school history. She went 12-of-18 from the field with seven three pointers made. She set new career bests in field goals made, three-pointers made and career points. Not only did she dominate offensively, but Ors also tacked on six rebounds, three assists and a steal to her already impressive afternoon.
During this effort it was almost overlooked that Ors is now the fourth highest scorer in ISU history with 1502 career points. Up next is Mandi Carver in third with 1538 points.
Ors didn’t do it alone though, Whitman finished the game with 13 points on five-of-14 shooting from the field. Diaba Konate also had a strong day offensively with nine points in the game.
Whitman continued her defensive dominance against the Bobcats, the junior guard had three steals and in the last six games is averaging a Big Sky Conference best 4.1 steals per game.
The Bengals dominated the battle on the glass, outrebounding the Bobcats 45-30. The Bengals had 14 offensive rebounds and were able to score 17 points on second chance opportunities.
Up next for the Bengals is a resurgent Weber State Squad in Ogden on Saturday Jan. 8 at 1:00 p.m.
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