Graduate guard Estefania Ors dropped 22 points and shot 50% from three point range to lead Idaho State University to a 67-57 win as the Bengals handed the Tommies their seventh loss of the season Saturday at Schoenecker Arena.
The Tommies (2-7) struggled to make stops and defend the pick and roll against a mechanical and well-executed Idaho State (4-6) offense.
Both teams came into the game off a win against their respective opponents. Idaho State secured a three-point win over Carroll College, while the Tommies went on the road to take a five-point win over Chicago State University. Despite the loss, coach Ruth Sinn was inspired by the way her team competed.
“It’s all about taking steps,” Sinn said. “We’re coming into a very experienced Idaho State team, we knew we were going to have our hands full and was proud of the way the girls competed.”
Rebounding was the key in a game where the Tommies drew close but couldn’t make the stops necessary to pull ahead. The Tommies were outrebounded 37-24 against a physical Idaho State team, who used their height to outscore St. Thomas by sixteen points in the paint.
Sinn talked about forming habits along with the DI transition
“We knew Idaho State. I mean, they’re averaging twelve offensive rebounds a game,” Sinn said. “We haven’t developed habits that we need to develop in order to be consistent with that.”
The third quarter was an example of habits that still need to form for this young Tommie team. Idaho State took advantage of offensive rebounds and putbacks to increase their field goal percentage to fifty percent on the quarter.
Starting first-year point guard Jade Hill scored eleven points and went 2-6 from three point range in the loss.
“Kudos to them because they did a good job taking advantage of our defense,” Hill said. “It was kind of hard for us to make a decision as a player; do we want to help on the roll or do we want to stay out?”
Emphasis on building back as a team and focusing on the next step was the story of the post game.
“Every team is going to bring their best,” Hill said. “It’s always about countering and focusing on the next play, leaving it in the past because we’re not doing that anymore.”
Sinn spoke to Hill’s journey from Minneapolis South to a blossoming DI program, and the hardships and victories that come with it.
“We’re still learning the system and she’s done a phenomenal job,” Sinn said. “In this situation, we’re asking Jade to come in and be a leader with that and be a facilitator and she’s been a scorer.”
The Tommies will stay at Schoenecker Arena Wednesday, Dec. 15 to play against Northland College, who are 1-5 on the season, at 7 p.m.
Jonathan Rosario can be reached at Rosa8273@stthomas.edu.