Greeley, CO-Idaho State men's basketball team traveled to Greeley, Colorado for their final game of the season as they went up against the University of Northern Colorado Bears. The Bengals and Bears battled in a tight first half as neither team led the other by more than six points. The Bengals were able to ride a 7-0 run before the end of the half and take a one-point lead at halftime 39-38. In the second half the Bengals came out sluggish, giving up nine straight points to the Bears to start the half to give them a 47-39 lead over the Bengals just five minutes into the second half. However, the Bengals kept their cool and responded well, raveling off 12 straight points to cut the Bears lead down to just one point with six minutes left in the game. However, this was the closest the Bengals would get as the Bears ended the game on a 19-5 run and downed the Bengals 87-72. After the loss, the Bengals fall to 11-20 on the season and 8-10 in conference play. The University of Northern Colorado Bears will jump to 11-19 on the season and 6-12 in conference play after the win.
Miguel Tomley was the Bengals leading scorer on the night as he finished with 18 points on 7-of-14 shooting from the field and 4-of-8 from three-point land, two rebounds, and three assists. Brayden Parker finished the game with 12 points, six rebounds, three assists, and one block while we also saw fellow Preston, Idaho native Austin Smellie put up 10 points and three assists. Maleek Arington and Kolby Lee both had good games off the bench for Idaho State tonight as Maleek Arington tallied eight points, four rebounds, and two assists and Kolby Lee added four points, five rebounds, and one block. AJ Burgin also came in off the bench and wreaked some havoc, as he had two points, five rebounds, and two steals.
The Bengals finished the game shooting 43.8 percent from the field and 28.6 percent from deep making 6-of-21 shots from three-point territory. The Bengals tallied 13 assists, 35 rebounds, and 4 blocks. The University of Northern Colorado finished the game shooting 55.2 percent from the field and 27.8 percent from distance.
The Idaho State men's basketball team will be traveling to Boise, Idaho this weekend to play in the Big Sky Conference men's basketball tournament. The tournament begins on Saturday March 4th and runs through Wednesday March 8th. Following Portland State's loss to Sacramento State tonight the Bengals will lock up the 5th seed and play the 4th seeded University of Montana Grizzlies on Monday March 5th at 5:30 P.M. in the second round.
