Idaho State University’s men’s basketball team achieved its 10th consecutive win in Flagstaff, defeating Northern Arizona University 81–79 at the J. Lawrence Walkup Skydome on Saturday night. With this victory, Idaho State improved its overall record to 9–8 and moved to 2–2 in Big Sky Conference play.
Point guard Jamison Guerra led the Bengals with 22 points on 9-of-16 shooting, marking his second straight game as the team’s top scorer and his second consecutive performance with at least 20 points. Head Coach Ryan Looney’s squad saw significant contributions from multiple players as they held off a late rally by Northern Arizona.
The Bengals started strong, building an early lead through effective interior scoring and ball movement. A key run midway through the first half helped them take a double-digit advantage, but Northern Arizona closed the gap before halftime, trailing just 40–39 at the break.
The second half was closely contested with ten lead changes. Timely baskets from captains Jamison Guerra and Connor Hollenbeck, along with Caleb Van De Griend, allowed Idaho State to regain control after briefly falling behind. Gus Etchison made critical shots during this stretch to help steady the team.
In the final minutes, Idaho State executed well in both the paint and at the free-throw line. Hollenbeck scored inside to give the Bengals a three-point lead with under three minutes left. Van De Griend added a layup with less than a minute remaining, and Hollenbeck secured the win with a floater in the closing seconds.
Statistically, Idaho State shot 55.8 percent from the field—its most efficient shooting of the season—and made 17 of 21 free throws (81 percent). The team recorded 44 points in the paint and scored 19 points off turnovers, tying their second-highest mark for points off opponent turnovers this season.
Guerra finished with six assists and two rebounds alongside his scoring effort. Hollenbeck contributed 16 points and eight rebounds while making eight of ten free throws. Martin Kheil added eleven points; Lachlan Brewer had nine; Evan Otten anchored defense with two blocks; Gus Etchison came off the bench for ten points in six minutes; Caleb Van De Griend posted nine points and seven rebounds.
Northern Arizona was led by Karl Poom’s career-high 22 points and Chris Komin’s career-high sixteen points but could not overcome Idaho State’s efficiency down the stretch.
This result extends Idaho State’s decade-long winning streak in Flagstaff against Northern Arizona to ten games. The Bengals have now scored eighty or more points in five of their last six contests.
Next, Idaho State will host rivals Idaho Vandals on January 15 at Reed Gym for game one of their annual series before facing Eastern Washington Eagles on January 17. Both games will be broadcast on ESPN+ and KISU radio.
Tickets are available through idahostate.evenue.net/list/Athl or by contacting ISU’s ticket office.
