The Citadel Bulldogs secured a thrilling 62-61 victory over the Idaho State Bengals on Saturday night, thanks to a last-minute rally led by guard Kaelon Smith. Smith scored 19 points in the final minutes of the game to help the Bulldogs come from behind and secure the win.
The Bulldogs had trailed for most of the game, but Smith’s hot shooting in the second half helped them close the gap and eventually take the lead. Smith was 8-for-13 from the field, including 4-for-6 from beyond the arc, and he added three assists and two steals in the victory.
The Bulldogs also got strong contributions from forward Zane Najdawi, who had 15 points and seven rebounds, and guard Preston Parks, who had 11 points and four assists. The Citadel’s defense was also key, as they held Idaho State to just 37 percent shooting from the field.
The win was a huge boost for The Citadel, who had been struggling in recent weeks. The victory snapped a four-game losing streak and improved their record to 13-13 on the season. The Bulldogs will look to build on this momentum as they head into their final four games of the regular season.
The win was especially sweet for Smith, who has been a key contributor for The Citadel all season long. He has now scored in double figures in nine of his last 10 games and is averaging 16.3 points per game on the season. With his performance against Idaho State, Smith has proven that he is one of the best players in the Southern Conference.
The Citadel will now turn their attention to their next game against Western Carolina on Tuesday night. If they can continue to get strong performances from Smith and their other key contributors, they should be able to keep their winning streak alive and make a strong push for a spot in the conference tournament.
