VINEYARD, Utah (Interstat) — Tasia Jordan scored 26 points to lead Idaho State to a 59-56 victory over Utah Valley in a nonconference women’s basketball game Saturday at UCCU Center. The Bengals, who trailed by four after the first quarter, held the Wolverines to nine points in the second to take a 28-29 halftime lead. Utah Valley drew within one point entering the fourth quarter but could not complete the comeback. Jordan added six rebounds for Idaho State. Piper Carlson posted a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds, and Kacey Spink had 10 rebounds and 10 assists. Saige Gibb led Utah Valley with 14 points. Halle Nelson and Cambree Blackham each added 11 points. Idaho State improved to 7-4 overall. Utah Valley fell to 6-4. Attendance was 1,316.

VINEYARD, Utah (Interstat) — In a game defined more by grit than grace, the Idaho State Bengals overcame a staggering 28 turnovers and a dominant early performance by the Utah Valley Wolverines to escape the UCCU Center with a 59-56 victory in nonconference women’s basketball on Saturday. The contest, witnessed by 1,316 fans, was a stark contrast in styles. Utah Valley’s aggressive, disruptive defense forced those 28 Bengal miscues, converting them into 16 points. The Wolverines also dished out 16 assists to Idaho State’s five. Yet, the Bengals’ relentless work on the glass and a career-defining performance from guard Tasia Jordan ultimately tipped the scales. Utah Valley raced out to an early lead, fueled by the home crowd and sharp shooting. The Wolverines led 20-16 after the first quarter, capitalizing on early Idaho State fouls and turnovers. The Bengals’ offense sputtered, struggling to find any rhythm against Utah Valley’s pressure. The second quarter, however, became the turning point. Utah Valley’s offense went cold, managing only nine points. Idaho State, despite continuing to turn the ball over, clamped down defensively and began to chip away. The Bengals outscored the Wolverines 12-9 in the period, closing the gap to 29-28 at halftime. The defensive stand provided a lifeline, proving that even on a afternoon where ball security was a foreign concept, they could stay in the fight. The third quarter was a back-and-forth affair, with Utah Valley taking a 44-42 lead into the final frame. The stage was set for a tense finish, and the fourth quarter delivered. With the game hanging in the balance, Tasia Jordan took over. The 5-foot-8 guard from Melrose Park, Illinois, scored 10 of her game-high 26 points in the final period, including a critical jump shot with just over six minutes to play and four consecutive made free throws in the final minute. Her final two free throws, with 42 seconds remaining, extended Idaho State’s lead to 57-53. Utah Valley’ Amanda Barcello answered with a clutch 3-pointer with 28 seconds left to cut the deficit to one. After another Idaho State turnover, the Wolverines had a chance to take the lead, but a driving layup by Tessa Chaney was blocked by Jordan with 13 seconds remaining. Piper Carlson secured the defensive rebound for Idaho State and was fouled. The 6-foot-1 forward from Albertville, Minnesota, who recorded a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds, calmly sank both free throws to push the lead back to three with eight seconds left. Utah Valley’s last-second attempt to tie was off the mark, sealing the hard-fought road win for the Bengals. Beyond Jordan’s scoring outburst, Idaho State won the game through sheer physicality and second-chance opportunities. The Bengals dominated the offensive glass, hauling in 15 rebounds to Utah Valley’s five. This led to a 15-5 advantage in second-chance points, a crucial margin in a three-point game. Kacey Spink of Idaho State posted a unique triple-double with 5 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists, though it was coupled with 7 turnovers. For Utah Valley, the loss came despite winning several key statistical battles. Saige Gibb led the Wolverines with 14 points and six rebounds, while Halle Nelson added 11 points, six rebounds, and four steals. Cambree Blackham filled the stat sheet with 11 points, four assists, and a game-high five steals. The Wolverines’ defense was exemplary, but their 33.3% shooting from the field and an 0-for-9 stretch from the floor in the decisive second quarter proved too much to overcome. The victory improved Idaho State’s record to 7-4, while Utah Valley fell to 6-4. Both teams now break for the holidays before entering conference play. Idaho State opens Big Sky action on the road at Sacramento State on Jan. 1. Utah Valley resumes Western Athletic Conference play at California Baptist on Dec. 29. The game, projected by analytics to be a near toss-up, lived up to that billing. In the end, Idaho State’s resilience, embodied by Tasia Jordan’s late-game heroics and a team-wide commitment to rebounding, allowed them to survive a barrage of self-inflicted errors and secure a significant road victory.

Preview: Idaho State Bengals at Utah Valley Wolverines VINEYARD, Utah (Interstat) — Two teams riding winning streaks will meet Saturday when the Idaho State Bengals visit the Utah Valley Wolverines in a non-conference women’s basketball matchup at the UCCU Center. Both teams enter with 6-4 records. Idaho State snapped a two-game skid with a 62-49 road win at Cal Poly last Saturday. Utah Valley has won two straight, including a dominant 97-48 victory over La Sierra on Tuesday. The Bengals have been led by guard Aspen Caldwell, who is coming off a solid all-around performance at Cal Poly with 10 points, three rebounds and three assists in 32 minutes. Caldwell’s playmaking will be key against a Utah Valley defense that has held its last two opponents under 60 points. The Wolverines counter with guard Naia Tanuvasa, who orchestrated the offense in the win over La Sierra, dishing seven assists to go with 12 points and two blocks. Her backcourt matchup with Caldwell will be a focal point. Idaho State’s victory at Cal Poly was a balanced effort. Alongside Caldwell, Piper Carlson scored 12 points and Kacey Spink nearly recorded a triple-double with six points, eight rebounds and six assists. Utah Valley’s recent surge has featured strong contributions from Saige Gibb (14 points, five assists vs. La Sierra) and Kennedy Carlyle (16 points, four blocks). This game serves as a final non-conference tune-up before both teams dive into league play in January. Idaho State will open Big Sky Conference action on Jan. 1 at Sacramento State. Utah Valley begins Western Athletic Conference play on Dec. 29 at California Baptist. Saturday’s tipoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. MST at the UCCU Center.