IDAHO STATE’S HOT SHOOTING DOWNS MEN’S BASKETBALL
1/25/2008
POCATELLO, Idaho -- Logan Kinghorn had 11 points and 14 rebounds and Idaho State shot 60.4 percent from the field, including 82.6 percent (19-23) in the second half, on the way to an 86-63 victory over Sacramento State in a Big Sky Conference men’s basketball game Friday evening at Holt Arena.
The loss was the fifth in a row for the Hornets (3-16, 1-7) and the team fell to 0-11 on the road this season. With the victory, Idaho State improved to 7-12 overall and 4-2 in the Big Sky.
Sacramento State has now allowed five straight opponents to shoot better than 50.0 percent from the field. In fact, the Hornets, who lead the Big Sky with 9.1 steals per game, have allowed the opposition to shoot 49.8 percent (526-1056) from the field this season. Five different Bengals shot better than 50.0 percent from the field tonight, including Donnie Carson’s 6-for-8 shooting and his team-high 16 points.
The Hornets got off to a quick start, taking a game-high seven point lead (14-7) with 12:33 remaining in the first half after Justin Williams knocked down a jumper. However, Idaho State quickly responded with a 13-2 run which was highlighted by three three-pointers from Austin Kilpatrick. Sacramento State would tie the game on one occasion (21-21 at the 8:49 mark), but would never lead again. The Bengals outscored the Hornets, 10-4, over the final 5:32 of the first half to take a 35-27 lead into the break.
Idaho State dominated the second half, outscoring the Hornets 51-36, and missing just four shots from the field during the entire stanza. In fact, the Bengals converted on each of their first eight shots from the field during the second half (including a pair of three-pointers). By the time the final of those eight shots found the bottom of the net (a three-pointer from Matt Stucki), the Bengals led, 53-33, with 14:32 remaining. Sacramento State closed to within 16 points of ISU’s lead, but would get no closer the rest of the way.
Four Bengals scored in double figures, comprised of Carson, Kinghorn, Stucki (15) and Kilpatrick (15). Kinghorn’s 14 rebounds were nine more than any other player on the floor. Kilpatrick went 4-of-5 from beyond the arc and led Idaho State to a high percentage from the three-point line (.500, 7-of-14). Overall, the Bengals converted on 32-of-53 (.604) from the floor, the second highest percentage the Hornets have allowed this season.
Conversely, Sacramento State struggled from the field, shooting 36.1 percent (22-61) from the field and 26.3 percent (5-19) from the three-point line. The Hornets did score 12 second-chance points off 15 offensive rebounds and shot a respectable 70.0 percent (14-20) from the free throw line, but could not overcome Idaho State’s torrid shooting night.
Hornet junior Loren Leath scored a game-high 21 points (7-of-19 shooting, 4-of-10 from beyond the arc) to go along with a team-best five rebounds in 32 minutes. Joining Leath in double figures for the Hornets were senior Justin Williams (15 points, four rebounds and a game-high tying three steals) and sophomore Alonzo Young (10 points, three assists). Young could have added to that total, but went just 4-of-9 from the free throw line.
Freshman Vinnie McGhee, Jr., added nine points, five assists and two steals. Senior Clark Woods, who scored a career-high 21 points on Wednesday night, could not find the rhythm tonight, converting on 1-of-7 shots from the field while missing all five of this three-point attempts.
The Hornets return to Sacramento for a three-game homestand beginning next Saturday, Feb. 2, against Northern Colorado at 7:05 p.m. The team will also play Eastern Washington (Feb. 7) and Portland State (Feb. 9) during the homestand.
POCATELLO, Idaho -- Logan Kinghorn had 11 points and 14 rebounds and Idaho State shot 60.4 percent from the field, including 82.6 percent (19-23) in the second half, on the way to an 86-63 victory over Sacramento State in a Big Sky Conference men’s basketball game Friday evening at Holt Arena.
