Idaho St defeats Sacramento St 97-84
Idaho St Edges Out Sacramento St in Conference Thriller
Reed Arena, home of the Idaho State University Bengals, played host to a thrilling conference matchup between the Bengals and visiting Sacramento State Hornets on January 2nd. In a battle that saw both teams trading baskets, Idaho State emerged victorious with a 97-84 win over their Mountain West rivals.
The game was tied at 41-41 at halftime, but the Bengals' home court advantage proved to be the deciding factor as they outscored Sacramento State by seven points in the second half. Idaho State's largest lead of the night came when the Bengals built a 20-point margin with just over six minutes remaining.
Sacramento State struggled from beyond the arc, shooting just 26.0% from three-point range (5/19). In contrast, Idaho State was a more efficient three-point unit, making 14 of their 30 attempts (47.0%). The Hornets, on the other hand, relied heavily on free throws, converting 73.0% of their 37 attempts.
Despite outrebounding Sacramento State by just one rebound, Idaho State's bench played a crucial role in securing the win. The Bengals' bench outscored the Hornets' bench by seven points, thanks to a strong performance from several reserve players.
Key statistics that highlighted Idaho State's dominance included their impressive free throw rate (41.5%) and true shooting percentage (63.1%), which were indicative of a team that capitalized on its opportunities at the rim. Sacramento State, meanwhile, struggled with turnovers, committing 12 against just seven for the Bengals.
The win marked a significant victory for Idaho State, as they improved to [insert ranking or context if provided]. The loss dropped Sacramento State's record to [insert ranking or context if provided].
In the end, it was a night that showcased the importance of home court advantage in conference basketball. With their convincing 13-point win over Sacramento State, the Bengals proved themselves to be a force to be reckoned with in the Mountain West Conference.
Game Leaders
* Idaho St:
+ 19 points (T.J. Loyd)
+ 5 blocks (Trevor Huffman)
* Sacramento St:
+ 21 points (Caleb Hansen)
+ 10 rebounds (Chase McLoughlin)