POCATELLO, Idaho - The Idaho State Bengals wrapped up the 2023-24 regular season Monday evening against the Montana Lady Griz in Reed Gym. The Bengals narrowly fell to Montana 67-65 in front of 957 fans in Reed Gym.
Down to only seven players, the Bengals met the Montana Lady Griz toe to toe in Reed Gym. The Game went back and forth with the Orange and Black never giving up for 40 minutes.
With five minutes left in the game, UM was able to extend the lead to nine and it looked as if they would pull away.
Instead of rolling over, these Bengals didn't quit. Kacey Spink hit an and one layup to cut the lead to six. Sophia Covello then followed it up with a fastbreak layup.
With 1:13 left, Maria Dias made a pulll up jump shot to cut the lead to four.
The Bengal defense was ferocious on the other end of eh court and forced a jump ball. The Bengals then drove the court and Dias hit a driving layup to cut the lead to two.
The Bengals went back to the fight on defense and with eight seconds left, Laura Bello forced a steal and driving the court, Spink narrowly missed the game tying rebound. Halle Wright was able to grab an offensive board with two seconds left and put another shot up but it wouldnt fall and Montana held on for the 67-65 victory.
Notes
- Sophia Covello led the Bengals with 19 points on seven of 10 shooting from the field, going four of five from three point range.
- The Bengals lost the battle on the glass 34-26 with UM scoring 12 second chance points.
- The Bengals dominated the paint scoring 40 points under the basket to Montana's 20
- The Bengals had just seven turnovers on the game, while forcing Montana into 14.
- Kacey Spink is now 10th all-time in single-season steals with 59 on the year.