Idaho State vs Dickinson State post-game blog

Idaho State 97, Dickinson State 54

For a full game recap, click here
For a photo gallery, click here

Star of the game: Let’s see, four guys scored in double figures and seven different Bengals made 50 percent or more of their field goal attempts. But I’ll go with Andre Hatchett as star of the game No. 1. The senior started the night aggressively and scored 14 of his 20 points by half.
    The big downside to Hatchett’s game Monday night — and really the entire team’s from an offensive perspective — is that he missed five of his nine free throw attempts. As a team, ISU shot 66 percent from the field (33-50) and 60.6 percent from the free-throw line (20-33).
   
Star of the game 2: Tomas Sanchez was great (16 points, seven assists, one turnover), Jeffrey Solarin showed great promise (14 points, five rebounds) and Chris Hansen’s shooting stroke is a thing of brilliance, but freshman Justin Smith was a major bright spot.
    The Colorado Springs, Colo., native hit all three of his shots for nine points and he pulled down five boards and snagged three steals. Smith’s importance to the Bengals in 2013-14 can’t be overstated. Their depth took a major hit when they learned Ben Wilson and Andre Slavik both had to redshirt this season. Smith will have to play major minutes off the bench, and Monday turned out as a great start.

Reason for concern: Ajak Magot. Magot is the 6-foot-11 center who transferred in from Cochise junior college. Along with Ayibakuro Preh, he was a major piece slotted in to help Idaho State defend the paint and improve its rebounding numbers.
    Magot hurt his foot in the first half, the same foot he broke this past summer. The extent of the injury is unknown (meaning, he could be fine), but there’s a concern it could be a recurring issue. If so, that’s killer.
    Idaho State started Monday with nine players, and finished the night with eight. The official season hasn’t even begun yet, and the Bengals might be down to eight guys.