Whitworth falls shy of ISU in exhibition

POCATELLO – Dustin McConnell’s 3-point attempt as time expired just missed off of the back iron as Idaho State held off Whitworth 68-65 in a men’s basketball exhibition Tuesday. George Valle and McConnell led the Pirates with 15 points apiece. Taylor Farnsworth had 12 points and five rebounds. Chris Hansen scored 23 points and Melvin Morgan added 20 for the NCAA Division I Bengals. Idaho State took a 57-45 lead, its largest of the game, about midway through the second half. The Pirates got to within 63-62 on McConnell’s layup with just more than 4 minutes to play, but the Bengals pulled away with five straight free throws. Idaho State’s big advantage on the night came at the free-throw line. The Bengals made 25 of 31 from the stripe, while Whitworth hit 11 of 16. The Pirates hit 48 percent (24 of 50) of their shots from the field, including 63 percent (6 of 14) from 3-point range, while limiting Idaho State to 39 percent (17 of 44) shooting. The Pirates open their season at home Nov. 17 against St. Thomas (Minn.).