SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. (Interstat) — The Idaho State Bengals used a stifling defensive effort and a dominant first quarter to secure a 62-49 victory over the Cal Poly Mustangs in a non-conference women’s basketball game Saturday at Robert Mott Gymnasium.

Idaho State improved to 6-4 on the season, while Cal Poly fell to 2-7.

The Bengals set the tone from the opening tip, which Piper Carlson won for the visitors. Idaho State’s defense was relentless in the first period, forcing eight Cal Poly turnovers and holding the Mustangs to just nine points. The Bengals built a 17-9 lead after one quarter and never looked back, maintaining a double-digit advantage for nearly the entire contest.

The most critical sequence of the game came late in the first quarter, as Idaho State stretched its early lead. After Cal Poly’s Charish Thompson hit a 3-pointer to cut the deficit to 7-4, the Bengals responded with a decisive 8-0 run. Asa Wolfram converted a pair of free throws, then scored on a jump shot off a Camryn Collman assist following another Mustang turnover. Maeva Gauffrenet capped the run with a 3-pointer just before the quarter ended, pushing the lead to 17-7 and establishing a cushion Cal Poly could not overcome.

Idaho State’s defense was the story, generating 21 turnovers and converting them into 20 points. The Bengals also dominated the glass, outrebounding Cal Poly 13-5 on the offensive end, which led to numerous second-chance opportunities. Cal Poly managed just 17 field goals on the afternoon and was held to an offensive rating of 78.2 on 63 possessions.

Charish Thompson led all scorers with 19 points for Cal Poly, adding six rebounds. Nora Perez provided a strong interior presence with nine points, 10 rebounds and three blocked shots. Vanessa McManus contributed 14 points for the Mustangs.

For Idaho State, the scoring was balanced. Aspen Caldwell and Piper Carlson each scored 12 points, with Carlson adding six rebounds. Kacey Spink filled the stat sheet with six points, eight rebounds and six assists. Asa Wolfram provided efficient minutes off the bench with eight points and five rebounds in just 13 minutes of action.

Cal Poly made several pushes to close the gap, but each time Idaho State had an answer. The Mustangs cut the lead to 11 points early in the fourth quarter after a pair of free throws from McManus, but the Bengals responded with a 7-0 run, highlighted by a Carlson layup and a 3-pointer from Gauffrenet, to push the lead back to 18 and effectively seal the game.

Idaho State shot 42.3% from the field and 36.8% from 3-point range. Cal Poly shot a higher percentage at 42.5% but attempted 12 fewer shots due to the turnover disparity and rebounding deficit.

The announced attendance was 453.

Idaho State travels to face Utah Valley next Saturday. Cal Poly faces a quick turnaround, heading to Los Angeles to play UCLA on Tuesday.