POCATELLO, Idaho –The Idaho State men's basketball team returned to Reed Gym tonight to face off against Sacramento State. The Bengals have lost their last two in a row and five of their last six to the Hornets, including a 66-64 loss in Sacramento earlier this season.
The Bengals looked like they had a point to prove in this game, as they would storm to a 14-4 lead early on and never look back. They would grow their lead to the largest of the first half at 17 points, 30-13 with just 1:11 remaining in the half. Following a Miguel Tomley three-pointer the Bengals took a 33-16 lead into the halftime break.
Idaho State looked to out this one out of reach early on in the second half, extending their lead to the largest of the game at 21 points, 39-18, following an Isaiah Griffin fastbreak layup with 17:08 remaining in the game. Idaho State would look to put the final touches on this one early, following a Brayden Parker mid-range jump-shot the Bengals would lead by 31 with just 4:15 remaining, and cruise to victory, avenging their loss to the Hornets just a few weeks ago, 68-40. The second lowest score Idaho State has held an opposing team to this season, and the lowest they have held a D1 opponent to this season. After the win, Idaho State improves to 10-14 overall and 5-6 in Big Sky play. Following the loss, Sacramento State falls to 6-18 overall and 2-9 in Big Sky play.
Brayden Parker led Idaho State in this one, putting up 20 points on 9-of-13 shooting from the field, while also grabbing five rebounds, two blocks, and one steal. Maleek Arington would continue his hot-streak, dropping 13 points on a perfect 4-for-4 shooting from deep (the second most efficient three-point shooting game in Idaho State history), tying a career-high with eight assists, four steals, and two rebounds, and the final Bengal scoring in double figures was Miguel Tomley, as he also put up 13 points on 5-of-11 shooting from the field and 3-of-8 from beyond the arc, five rebounds, and two assists. Isaiah Griffin would end the game with nine points on 4-of-6 shooting from the floor, four rebounds, and a career-high five assists, and the final starter for Idaho State, Kiree Huie, would finish the game with eight points, six rebounds, two blocks, and one assist. Briggs Ranstrom and AJ Burgin would come in and provide with Bengals with valuable minutes tonight. Burgin would record two rebounds and two assists in 22 minutes, and Ranstrom would pull down three boards for the Bengals in 14 minutes of play.
Following the win Head Coach, Ryan Looney, earns his 49th career win and 30th win in Big Sky play with the Bengals. Needing just one more win to earn his 50th career win at the helm for Idaho State.
Idaho State finished the game shooting 53.8 percent from the field, and 42.1 percent from three-point territory, going 8-of-19 from behind the arc. The Bengals tallied 18 assists, 30 rebounds, and 5 steals.
Sacramento State finished the game shooting just 29.6 percent from the field and 23.5 percent from three-point land (4-for-17). The Hornets finished the game with 25 rebounds, 3 steals, and 9 assists.
The Bengals men's basketball team will be back in action in Reed Gym on Saturday, February 10th for their game with the Portland State Vikings at 6 pm.
