2008 Woodie Awards
Big Sky Champions!
Kasie Scott
Issue date: 3/8/06 Section: Sports
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Thursday night Reed Gym hit a record high of 1,310 fans as the Bengals overpowered Montana with a 71-57 victory.
Idaho State captured an early lead and finished the first half strong, taking a 36-28 lead into the locker room. The spread continued to split further into the second half after the Bengals scored a 20-2 run after a seven-minute spell. Just under the ten minute mark, ISU stretched the lead to 60-34.
Natalie Doma collected her eighth double double of the season with 19 points and 14 rebounds. "We just had to take advantages of their disadvantages," Doma said. "We knew we had to get a hand on their offense."
The Lady Grizz chipped the lead down to fifteen with four minutes left in the ball game. With two three pointers, one from Andrea Lightfoot and another from Danica Boyce, the Bengals secured the win and a home game against Montana State for the Big Sky Conference Championship. ISU head coach Jon Newlee said, "We had a great in and out combination on offense. It was a coach's dream."
Sophmores, Andrea Lightfoot and Natalie Doma, combined for 49 of ISU's points as the Bengals survived a scare from Montana State, 77-75. The win gives ISU the right to host the Big Sky Tournament March 9-11 at Reed Gym.
In the first half neither team stretched the lead by more than eight points as the lead changed twelve times. Montana State only led by two coming into the second half.
After a fierce battle and just two minutes remaining in the game, Montana State's Nubia Garcia scored a lay-up and put the Bobcats on top, 73-71.
Johana Hixon then scored a lay up and a foul shot to give the Bengals a one point lead.
ISU's Natalie Doma shot in another layup and was answered with two foul shots by MSU's Jenny Heringer. The Bengals held the lead and Danica Boyce made a foul shot securing the two point victory over Montana State.
Lightfoot scored over 20 points in her fourth straight game and added 5 steals to the Bengals cause. Freshman Michelle Grohs came off the bench to score 10 and pulled down 5 rebounds.
These two wins push ISU's record to 17-11 overall and 11-3 in Big Sky Conference play.
The team shot over 80 percent in both games from the free throw line and is one of the top three-point shooting teams in the nation.
Saturday's game started with a senior ceremony for Chelsey Chambers, Ali Gorny, and Dana Beechie. Chambers, who tore a ligament earlier in the year, started the game for ISU.