Three observations from last week’s ISU games

A gutting Thursday night loss, a missed opportunity and a big-time second half are all things that stand out from last week’s two games.

Idaho State’s one-point defeat crippled its chances to host the Big Sky tournament. A win and the Bengals would have been 8-4, tied with Eastern Washington, Montana State and Northern Colorado for second place, two games behind Montana.

Instead ISU is way back in sixth.

Of course, Idaho State’s players knew all of that, too, which makes the first observation even more poignant.

1. Idaho State dismantled and destroyed North Dakota in the second half

Down five at the half to mascot-less North Dakota, ISU was in trouble.

After the game head coach Seton Sobolewski commented how both Kaela Oakes and Ashleigh Vella were exhausted. It seemed that some of Thursday night’s defeat had carried over into Saturday.

But, no, Vella, Oakes and the rest of the team stymied UND’s heavy-screen offense on the way to a 42-20 clobbering in the last 20 minutes.

2. But let’s not ignore the truth that UND really can’t shoot

North Dakota hit less than 28 percent of its field goal attempts for the game. Part – a large chunk – of the credit goes to Idaho State’s defense. But UND is ninth in scoring offense (58.7 ppg), ninth in field-goal percentage (37 percent), 10th in free-throw shooting (66.1 percent) and dead last in turnover margin (-3.38).

Here’s my point: North Dakota’s offense is mediocre to poor. It’s a big, bruising, plodding group and once ISU stopped the bleeding on the boards (ISU allowed nine offensive rebounds in the first half and one in the second), UND could not – repeat, could not – score.

3. Kara Jenkins’ value

I’ve written this before but I want to reiterate the point.

What Kara Jenkins provides on a nightly basis is far, far beyond the stats. This past week, the junior averaged 32.5 minutes, 6.5 points and three rebounds.

But it’s plays like the one at the 10-minute mark of the first half against the Bears. Off a missed Bengal shot, the ball ricocheted off the rim. Jenkins was under the basket and the ball flew over her head, but she turned and dove full length for the loose rebound as a Northern Colorado player was picking it up.

Jenkins had no business getting her hands on that ball – creating a jump ball, possession arrow to ISU.

Another example is against North Dakota Saturday. The Bengals have the lead, UND is pushing, pressing and attempting to speed up the game, its only shot for a comeback. Off an ISU steal on its end of the court, Jenkins took off down the sideline caught the pass from whoever had stolen the ball (I can’t remember). By the time Jenkins had the pass, though, a UND defender had sprinted back. So Jenkins had a choice, drive to the basket or pull up and take time off the clock and stay in control of the game.

She slowed down, waited for the rest of her team and that possession led to Lindsey Reed’s only field goal of the game (a layup that made it a 48-37 game with just over three minutes left).

So it’s not just Jenkins’ hustle plays and stellar defense that don’t resonate on the stat sheet. It’s her heady play and the way she never tries to do too much.

One more note. Right before the National Anthem Saturday, there was a short ceremony for Kaela Oakes celebrating her 1,000 career point. She was given a special ball commemorating the event.

After the game, Oakes said, “I was completely surprised. I didn’t even know we were doing it. I was standing there, ready for the pledge. Seton was like, ‘Kaela!’ ‘Why’s he calling my name?’

“But it was awesome. The basketball’s so nice. It just adds on to everything that’s happened. I couldn’t be more thankful. The cheer just made me feel good.”

Oakes went on to score 20 points.