Idaho State women’s basketball battled valiantly before falling to the Montana State Bobcats 60-57 Thursday night in Reed Gym.
The Bengals fall to 8-7, 3-1 BSC and the Bobcats move to 10-7, 3-2 BSC.
Heading into the game, the matchup was set to be an exciting contest and in front of over 1,000 fans in Reed Gym, it didn’t disappoint.
After the first ten minutes, it seemed as if Montana State would run away with the game, outscoring the Bengals 21-12 in the first period.
These Bengals don’t roll over though, instead of panicking, the Bengals relied on their strength in the second quarter, their defense. Over the final 10 minutes of the half, the roaring Bengals held MSU to just seven points and capped off a comeback run with back-to-back three-pointers by Callie Bourne and Carsyn Boswell to tied the game at 28 heading into the locker room.
After the break, Boswell came out of the locker room on fire. In a show of offensive firepower, the Bengal guard hit three straight three-pointers and went four of six from the floor to lead with 11 points in the period.
Headed into the final period, the two teams went back and forth in a brilliant battle of two great teams.
Laura Bello started working the glass and finished the quarter three of four from the floor. At the end of Regulation, the MSU Bobcats were able to hit their final free throws and while the Bengals were able to get a final shot off, it didn’t fall and the Bobcats ended the game with the three-point victory.
Bourne led all-game scoring with 17 points on seven of 18 from the field. Boswell had her second game in a row with double-digit points, scoring 14 with four threes. Bello also ended with 10 points.
The Bengals were outrebounded 47-37. Bourne and Kacey Spink both had eight rebounds.
The Bengals forced the Bobcats into 16 turnovers, a conference-high for the preseason favorites.
Next Up
Saturday, Jan. 14, the Bengals are back in Reed Gym taking on the Lady Griz of Montana. Tip is set for 2:00 PM. Fans are encouraged to wear Orange and ‘Orange Out’ Reed Gym.
