Topalovic scores 27, Idaho St. beats Sacramento St. 71-65

Jan 21, 2018, 04:22 am

POCATELLO, Idaho -- Novak Topalovic had career highs of 25 points and 17 rebounds, and Jared Stutzman made five free throws in the final 18 seconds to help Idaho State beat Sacramento State 71-65 on Saturday night.

Izayah Mauriohoohoo-Le'Afa made a 3-pointer to pull Sacramento State to 62-60 with 2:12 remaining. Topalovic answered with back-to-back dunks and stretched the Bengals' lead to 66-60 before Stutzman closed it at the free-throw line.

Topalovic was 12 of 14 from the floor and Stutzman finished with 13 points. Geno Luzcando added 13 points and Brandon Boyd had 10 for Idaho State (9-9, 4-3 Big Sky Conference).

Mauriohoohoo-Le'Afa and Justin Strings scored 14 points apiece to lead Sacramento State (5-15, 2-5).

Calvin Martin's jumper gave the Hornets their last lead, 28-25 midway through the first half. Boyd hit a 3-pointer and made a pair of free throws as Idaho State closed the half on a 13-9 spurt for a 38-37 halftime advantage, and then led the rest of the way.