Idaho State's Jamison Guerra stole the show at the J. Lawrence Walkup Skydome, leading his team to an 81-79 win over Northern Arizona. Guerra's impressive performance, which included 22 points and 6 assists, was the deciding factor in a game that saw both teams trade baskets throughout. The Bengals' guard was instrumental in his team's success, consistently finding open teammates and creating scoring opportunities for himself.
Northern Arizona's Karl Poom was equally impressive, scoring 22 points and grabbing 5 rebounds in a losing effort. Poom's teammates, Chris Komin and Arne Osojnik, also chipped in with 16 and 13 points, respectively, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Bengals' balanced attack. Idaho State's Connor Hollenbeck added 16 points and 8 rebounds, while Martin Kheil contributed 11 points to help seal the win.
The game was a back-and-forth affair, with Idaho State taking a 40-39 lead into halftime. The Bengals extended their lead to 5 points midway through the second half, but Northern Arizona refused to back down. The Lumberjacks rallied to tie the game with just over 2 minutes remaining, setting up a thrilling finish. In the end, Idaho State's clutch free throw shooting and Guerra's playmaking ability was the difference.
With the win, Idaho State improves to 10-11 on the season, while Northern Arizona falls to 7-14. While neither team is likely to make a deep postseason run, the victory is still an important one for the Bengals' resume. As a Quadrant 4 win, it may not carry significant weight, but it does demonstrate Idaho State's ability to compete on the road against inferior opponents.
For Northern Arizona, the loss is a tough pill to swallow, particularly given the team's strong performance. As a Quadrant 4 loss, it won't hurt the Lumberjacks' tournament chances, but it does highlight the team's struggles against mid-tier opponents. With a net ranking of 308, Northern Arizona faces an uphill climb to become a relevant player in the postseason conversation.
In the end, Idaho State's narrow victory over Northern Arizona serves as a reflection of the Bengals' resilience and determination. With Guerra leading the charge, Idaho State has the potential to pull off a few more upsets late, which could significantly boost their tournament chances. As it stands, the Bengals' resume is still a work in progress, but wins like this one will certainly help their cause.