2008 Woodie Awards
Bengals making push in Big Sky
Lady Bengals beat league leader Northern Arizona
Nate Cuoio
Issue date: 2/15/06 Section: Sports
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Northern Arizona led 67-66 with less than four minutes remaining in the game. Danica Boyce was fouled, connected on the shot, and completed the three point play, sparking a Bengal 9-0 run.
The Bengals extended the lead to 8, but had it cut to 5 after a three by NAU guard Kim Winkfield. ISU then closed out the game with a 9-0 run to secure the victory.
Natalie Doma pumped in a game high 26 points on 10-21 shooting from the field and 6-6 from the stripe. Doma also cleaned off the glass with 14 rebounds.
Andrea Lightfoot also contributed big to the Bengal victory with 23 points on 6-14 shooting, including 2-2 from 3 point land, and 9-9 free throw shooting. She also gave the Bengals 5 rebounds and 4 steals.
The 84-71 victory over NAU wasn't the only thing Bengal fans had to cheer about. Senior forward and team captain Chelsey Chambers made her first appearance since tearing her ACL against South Dakota State on Jan. 2. Midway through the second half, Chambers entered the game and received a standing ovation from the crowd.
Saturday afternoon at Reed Gym, the lady Bengals played host to Sacramento State and downed the Hornets 75-60. It was a big win for ISU, moving the Bengals into second place in the Big Sky.
Natalie Doma recorded her sixth double-double on the season with 13 points and 10 rebounds while Andrea Lightfoot scored a team high 17 points and pulled down 12 rebounds, giving her the first double-double of her career.
In a whole team effort, Doma and Lightfoot got help from three other Bengals who reached double figures. Joanna Hixon charted 13 while Danica Boyce and Michelle Grohs both added 11.
After Saturday's game, Doma commented on the Bengals play over the last week.
"I think the main thing to note when looking at our success these past couple games is the defense. We played awesome defense for the whole game. In past games, we'd lose our defensive intensity in the second half, but in these last couple we've stuck with it. Our communication and intensity on the court has helped a lot too."
Chelsey Chambers also sees how important defense is to this team.
"It seems like all of our hard work is paying off. Our team is coming together and playing well together. I really think that defense will win us the conference tournament. We can score on any team; it's just a matter of defense."
The lady Bengals are playing very well, winning 4 of their last 5 games. They head out on the road this week to take on Portland State on February 16 and Eastern Washington on February 18.