BLOGS

Notebook: Jacks, Bengals not separated by much

Terry Vandrovec
tvandrovec@argusleader.com
Idaho State forward Nnamdi Ezenwa and South Dakota State forward Cody Larson go for a rebound during the World Vision Basketball Classic on Thursday in Logan, Utah.

Here are a few notes from the ongoing World Vision Classic hosted by Utah State. I'll have more live coverage from the Spectrum tonight:

In its 75-72 victory over Idaho State on Thursday, South Dakota State finished even with the Bengals in 3-pointers (five), rebounds (45) and blocks (seven). Also both teams shot less than 39 percent from the field. The Jacks' starting backcourt was scoreless over the first 13-plus minutes, while ISU leading scorer Chris Hansen finished 4 of 19 from the floor.
The contest featured 10 ties and 12 lead changes.

The Bengals dropped to 5-61 in non-conference road and neutral-site games over the last six years. By comparison, they're 19-14 in home non-conference games in that time.

Tonight, the Jacks (7-3) will face Bakersfield at 6:30 p.m. CT. The Roadrunners dropped a 57-56 decision to Utah State on Thursday night as the Aggies improved to 50-1 all-time in home tournaments.
The reported attendance: 7,049. There were no more than a couple hundred fans around for much of the SDSU vs. Idaho State affair, and most of those were backing the Jacks. They had fans on hand from Brookings, Alaska (center Connor Devine supporters) and Chicago (guard George Marshall's parents).

The 6-foot-10 Devine posted 13 points on 5 of 7 shooting in a reserve role for the first double-digit showing of his college career. That's after putting up seven points the last time out.
"I'm just trying to be a little more aggressive on offense," the former Alaska prep player of the year said. "That (Idaho State) zone was pretty tough for our guards so I was trying to demand the ball and get it inside."

Utah State recently opened a new basketball practice facility and volleyball game facility called the Wayne Estes Center. The venue covers 32,000 square feet and cost $9.5 million with $5.25 million coming from a single donor.
Some of the SDSU coaches toured the center Thursday, and came away thoroughly impressed. The Jacks have designs on adding a practice facility in the coming years; that's part of their documented master plan.

The football season continues in Logan as the Aggies face UTEP in the New Mexico Bowl in Albuquerque on Saturday afternoon. USU has qualified for the postseason despite losing nine starters due to injury.

Terry Vandrovec also posts regular updates on his Twitter page.