Poor start dooms UI to defeat

RUSTON, La. – The University of Idaho men’s basketball suffered through a dreadful beginning to Wednesday’s game and never recovered in a 68-59 loss at Louisiana Tech.

With its eighth consecutive loss, Idaho fell to 3-22 on the season and 1-12 in Western Athletic Conference play. Louisiana Tech improved to 8-17, 6-7.

Through the first 24 minutes, 27 seconds, Idaho was a combined 6 of 35 (.171) shooting from the field, including 0 of 10 from the 3-point line, and committed 11 turnovers. The Vandals also gave up 39 rebounds during the span, 18 on the offensive end, and found themselves trailing 43-20 with 15:13 remaining in the contest.

The Vandals had a chance to make a late run, thanks to Louisiana Tech’s 17 turnovers.

La. Tech 68, Idaho 59

Idaho (3-22, 1-12)- C.Johnson 0-2 0-0 0, Watson 2-13 7-9 12, Avworo 2-4 2-3 6, Nagle 2-6 3-4 9, Jackson 0-4 1-3 1, Webb 7-16 1-1 18, Morris 4-9 0-0 9, Madsen 1-1 0-0 2, Nwoke 0-4 2-2 2. Totals 18-59 16-22 59.

Louisiana Tech (8-17, 6-7)- McKenzie 7-15 3-4 17, Washington 2-6 0-0 5, McDowell 6-12 5-7 19, Disy 6-14 1-2 13, Richardson 4-6 0-3 8, Smith 0-3 0-0 0, Gibson 0-0 0-0 0, Elliot 2-8 1-4 5, Parker Jr. 0-1 1-2 1. Totals 27-65 11-22 68.

Halftime—Louisiana Tech 33, Idaho 20. 3-Point Goals—Idaho 7-25 (Webb 3-9, Nagle 2-4, Watson 1-5, Morris 1-5, Avworo 0-1, Jackson 0-1), Louisiana Tech 3-14 (McDowell 2-4, Washington 1-4, Richardson 0-1, McKenzie 0-1, Disy 0-1, Elliot 0-3). Fouled Out—Elliot, Richardson. Rebounds—Idaho 38 (Nagle 10), Louisiana Tech 51 (Disy 16). Assists—Idaho 5 (Avworo 3), Louisiana Tech 14 (McDowell 4). Total Fouls—Idaho 21, Louisiana Tech 21. A—1,014.