Idaho State wins first Big Sky Tournament game in 11 years

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Austin Smellie scored 16 points, Chier Maker had 15 points and 12 rebounds and Idaho State won its first Big Sky Conference Tournament game in 11 years with a 64-62 victory over Northern Arizona on Wednesday.

No. 11 seed Idaho State will play No. 3 seed Montana on Thursday for a chance to end a 19-game losing streak in the series. The Bengals haven’t defeated the Grizzlies since Dec. 13, 2010.

Malik Porter added 12 points and three blocks for Idaho State (8-22).

Idaho State closed the first half on a 13-0 run for a 15-point lead, but Northern Arizona answered with a 13-0 run of their own to get within 44-42. NAU tied it at 50 with 11:16 to go, but ISU scored the next six and never trailed in the second half.

Brooks DeBisschop had 17 points and 11 rebounds for the Lumberjacks (16-14). Bernie Andre added 16 points and eight rebounds, and Cameron Shelton had 13 points and eight rebounds.