Idaho State's Heidi Gifford had a game-high 26 points
and led three other players in double-figures as the visiting Bengals
defeated Cal State Fullerton, 74-58, in a non-conference women's basketball
match-up on Wednesday afternoon at Titan Gym.
The Titans fell to 0-9 overall this season, having lost their last 12
consecutive contests dating back to the end of the 2002-03 campaign. Idaho
State improved to 7-3 overall and has won two straight, including the
only two meetings with Cal State Fullerton.
The Titans were led by senior guard Tamara Quinn, who scored a season-high
17 points to led Fullerton. Senior center Rochelle Ortega was also in
double-figures, scoring 15 points – 12 of those coming in the second
half – and grabbing nine rebounds.
Both teams opened the game with 7-0 runs as the Bengals jumped out to
the quick lead before the Titans answered. Fullerton got to within seven
points on three different occassions, but an 11-0 run over a span of 3:38
following the 7-7 tie gave Idaho State an unbeatable advantage.
ISU finished the half with a 15-5 run over the final 7:47 to head into
the lockerroom up, 41-24, at the half.
The second half was very similar as the Bengals scored 13 of the first
17 points of the period and led by as many as 28 points with 6:37 off
the clock in the half. Cal State Fullerton cut the lead to 15 points with
just under six minutes remaining in the game, but could not get any closer.
Molly Hays and Christa Brossman each had 11 points, while Lindy Whitley
added 10 points in the victory. Annie Anderson came off the bench to grab
a team-best nine boards in 15 minutes of action.
Idaho State shot .460 from the field for the game and outrebounded Fullerton,
42-33. The Bengals had 21 assists on 29 made baskets compared to the Titans'
seven assists on the day. Fullerton shot just .352 from the floor for
the game.
The Titans have failed to top 60 points in each of its last four games
(averaging 55.3 ppg in that span) and in eight of nine contests this season.
The 63 points scored by Cal State Fullerton against Alabama State on Dec.
7 are a season high.
Cal State Fullerton returns to action this weekend as the Titans open
up the 2004 Big West Conference season on the road. Fullerton will meet
Cal State Northridge on Saturday night (Jan. 3) at 7 p.m. before heading
to the Bay Area to meet Pacific on Monday (Jan. 5) at 7 p.m. in Stockton,
Calif.
