2008 Woodie Awards
Horrid half costs Bengal women
Bob Devine
Issue date: 3/19/08 Section: Sports
All seemed right in the world for about three minutes last Friday night when Idaho State jumped out to a 12-7 lead over the Montana State Bobcats in the Big Sky Tournament semi-finals. 3-pointers came from Devin Diehl and Michelle Grohs, along with a few baskets by Natalie Doma and everything appeared to be going smoothly. Then the wheels came off the bus, the building collapsed, hell froze over, and the blue moon rose as the Bengals were outscored 21-1 over the next 11 minutes to go down 28-13. They could not buy a basket nor hold onto the ball as 12 turnovers in the first half converted into 16 points for Montana State. Oana Iacovita ended the cold streak with a basket and foul shot to complete a 3-point play, but Montana State would continue to outscore the Bengals 11-5 over the last five minutes to go up 39-21 at halftime.
Whatever Coach Newlee said or did not say in the locker room at halftime must have stirred some passion, as the Bengals returned to form coming out of the locker room and went on a run. Grohs and Doma, along with Diehl and Jenna Brown mounted an offensive charge over the first seven minutes of the second half and cut the lead to six points. During that stretch, Idaho State missed only two shots, striking fear into the hearts of Montana State players, coaches and fans. But over the last 10 minutes of the game, the Bengals would cut the lead to six points four more times, only to have the Bobcats respond each time by stretching the lead back out to 10 points. Idaho State could get no closer than six, going on to lose 83-72.
22 turnovers cost the Bengals dearly, as Montana State scored 25 points off of those turnovers. The Bengals shot 25 percent in the first half on seven-of-28 shots. Andrea Lightfoot was a mysterious non-factor in the game as she went scoreless for only the second time this year.
The bright spot of the game was Natalie Doma. She had a career night with 34 points and 19 rebounds, nearly tying the Big Sky tournament record of 20 rebounds. Michelle Grohs had 12 points with four rebounds, two assists and a blocked shot. Jenna Brown scored 10 points with 7 assists, and Devin Diehl had eight points to highlight the Bengal effort.
All is not lost for the Bengals. Montana's championship win over Montana State on Saturday night ensures that Idaho State receives an automatic berth for the conference in the Women's National Invitational Tournament (WNIT), while Montana goes to the NCAA Tournament. The pairings for the first round of the WNIT will come out Monday evening, and the Bengals should play sometime between Wednesday and Friday at a location to be announced.
Whatever Coach Newlee said or did not say in the locker room at halftime must have stirred some passion, as the Bengals returned to form coming out of the locker room and went on a run. Grohs and Doma, along with Diehl and Jenna Brown mounted an offensive charge over the first seven minutes of the second half and cut the lead to six points. During that stretch, Idaho State missed only two shots, striking fear into the hearts of Montana State players, coaches and fans. But over the last 10 minutes of the game, the Bengals would cut the lead to six points four more times, only to have the Bobcats respond each time by stretching the lead back out to 10 points. Idaho State could get no closer than six, going on to lose 83-72.
22 turnovers cost the Bengals dearly, as Montana State scored 25 points off of those turnovers. The Bengals shot 25 percent in the first half on seven-of-28 shots. Andrea Lightfoot was a mysterious non-factor in the game as she went scoreless for only the second time this year.
The bright spot of the game was Natalie Doma. She had a career night with 34 points and 19 rebounds, nearly tying the Big Sky tournament record of 20 rebounds. Michelle Grohs had 12 points with four rebounds, two assists and a blocked shot. Jenna Brown scored 10 points with 7 assists, and Devin Diehl had eight points to highlight the Bengal effort.
All is not lost for the Bengals. Montana's championship win over Montana State on Saturday night ensures that Idaho State receives an automatic berth for the conference in the Women's National Invitational Tournament (WNIT), while Montana goes to the NCAA Tournament. The pairings for the first round of the WNIT will come out Monday evening, and the Bengals should play sometime between Wednesday and Friday at a location to be announced.
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