Idaho’s tough haul continues with Bengals

Leonard Perry the basketball coach is a little upset at Leonard Perry the schedule maker.

Idaho opened the season at Gonzaga and Washington, which carry the two longest home-court winning streaks in the nation. Then it was off to Washington State. After falling to the Cougars, Perry doubts WSU will lose two home games all season.

Returning home to the Cowan Spectrum for six straight games was supposed to be welcome respite. Instead, Idaho (1-4) was thumped by Eastern Washington before rebounding to earn its first win over Southern Utah.

Next up at 7 tonight is Idaho State (4-1), which is off to the best start in coach Doug Oliver’s eight seasons in Pocatello. The Bengals are averaging 84.6 points per game despite shooting only 42.5 percent. They knocked off Boise State on Thursday and came back from a 23-point, first-half deficit to defeat North Dakota State 91-87 in overtime Saturday. NDSU visits Idaho in two weeks.

ISU point guard David Schroeder, who missed nearly all of the last two seasons with knee injuries, is averaging 16.2 points and 6.4 rebounds. Slim Millien, a 6-foot-7 forward, checks in at 16.8 points and 9.4 rebounds.

ISU is 16-69 in road contests under Oliver.