POCATELLO, Idaho – After playing Pac-12 Utah on Friday, the Evergreen Geoducks felt a little more at home against NCAA Division I Idaho State but it was the Big Sky Bengals who earned the win, 99-62, in a men’s basketball exhibition game on Saturday night at Reed Gym in Pocatello, Idaho.

In the first half, the Bengals (1-0) came out excited in their season opener as they pushed the pace and built an early lead over the Geoducks.  A 15-0 run gave ISU a large first half lead as Evergreen was forced to play from behind.  As Idaho State continued to make baskets, the Geoducks won the closing minutes of the first half, using a 12-4 run to cut the deficit to 20 at half, 49-29.

Evergreen came out strong in the second half, matching the Bengals shot for shot as the Geoducks headed into the first media timeout having outscored the Bengals, 9-7, in the opening minutes of the second period.  The Evergreen dominance wouldn’t last as Idaho State came out of the first media timeout pushing the pace as the lead began to grow again.

Idaho State’s fresh legs coupled with four games in five days for the Geoducks began to show as the second half continued as the Bengals pulled ahead before taking the game by a final of 99-62.

Evergreen was led by 22 points from sophomore Frankie Johnson (Renton, Wash/Hazen HS).  Marc Taylor (Boise, Idaho/Skyview HS/Edmonds CC) put up 14 points against his father’s Dan’s alma mater, also adding 10 rebounds to collect the double-double.  As a team, the Geoducks shot 37% form the field, making 23-of-62 attempts from the field, including 10 three-pointers.

Idaho State was led by 23 points from Jeffrey Solarin, who was 10-of-11 from the field to go with 10 rebounds. Tomas Sanchez added 15 points in the win while Chris Hansen the earned the double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds.  The Bengals shot 50.8% from the field and were given 35 free throws, sinking 27 from the stripe.

The Geoducks hit the hardwood again on Friday night, traveling to Tacoma to take on Puget Sound as part of the Doug McArthur Tip-Off Classic.  Tip with the Loggers is set for 8 p.m. at Memorial Fieldhouse.

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