Vandals evaporate at end

MOSCOW, Idaho – Idaho has been a lot of things this season, but it’s doubtful the Vandals have looked as good and as bad as they did against Boise State on Saturday night.

For the first 20 minutes, they were in charge, thrilling a loud gathering of 3,084 at the Cowan Spectrum with precise execution in grabbing an eight-point lead. In the final 20 minutes, Idaho managed just three field goals and was trampled by the Broncos, who cruised to a 75-57 men’s basketball victory that stretched their winning streak in the series to 11.

“I think a lot of us got a little too happy early,” UI senior guard Keoni Watson said. “We can’t have that. We’ve got to be focused all 40 minutes.”

Idaho’s focus certainly drifted on offense. The Vandals made two field goals in the first 4:30 of the second half. After that, only one shot found the mark – Watson’s 3-pointer with 7 minutes remaining. That bucket narrowed BSU’s lead to 57-49, but the Broncos quickly pulled away.

Idaho dropped to 3-17, 1-7 in the WAC. The Vandals remain tied with San Jose State, which visits Moscow Thursday, for last place in the conference. Boise State improved to 11-8, 5-3 by outscoring Idaho 46-20 in the second half.

“We just challenged them and talked about how good a team we want to be and where we want to go with the season,” BSU coach Greg Graham said. “It wasn’t about any X’s or O’s or making changes. It was about us playing hard.”

And keeping Watson, who had 13 first-half points, under wraps. That job fell on senior Eric Lane, who watched Watson go 3 for 3 on 3-pointers in the first half, including a buzzer-beater from 22 feet that gave Idaho a 37-29 lead.

Watson made just 2 of 10 attempts in the second half, often forcing shots after penetrating the lane. No other Vandals stepped up to pick up the scoring slack.

“I think I missed a lot on my own, but that was probably the best defender all year on me,” Watson said.

Idaho’s lead was down to 42-38 when Kenny Wilson, one of four BSU seniors to deliver big games, drove for a layup and drained a 3-pointer. BSU led 43-42 and never trailed again. Senior Coby Karl, after a quiet first half, scored 14 of his game-high 24 points in the final 11:25.

After it was over, Karl was visiting with a fan near the scorer’s table when mascot Joe Vandal approached. Karl simply turned around, high-fived Joe and trotted off the court.

“He didn’t say anything,” Karl said. “He was just trying to be a little jokester. It was a good time for us. Eric and I have been here four years and the fans have been tough of us. It was a load off our backs to get this one, especially the way Idaho played (in the first half).”

The Vandals’ promising start was fueled by an 11-2 run that included Watson’s floater in the lane and a banked 3-pointer, which he acknowledged by throwing his hands up in an apologetic manner after the ball went through the hoop.

BSU turned the momentum by scoring 26 of the first 33 points in the second half, taking the steam out of Idaho and the crowd.

“I can’t answer the question why we came out so flat in the second half,” Idaho coach George Pfeifer said. “I have to go back and re-examine that. We did some good things in the first half. The second half we just went south.”

Boise St. 75, Idaho 57

Boise State (11-8, 5-3)—Lane 4-11 2-2 12, Karl 6-14 10-10 24, Tiedeman 0-1 0-0 0, Nelson 1-3 0-4 2, Larry 6-17 1-4 14, Wilson 3-7 1-2 9, Robinson 6-7 1-1 13, Thomas 0-1 0-0 0, Bauscher 0-2 1-2 1. Totals 26-63 16-25 75.

Idaho (3-17, 1-7)—Watson 7-20 2-2 21, Crowell 1-3 0-2 3, Avworo 0-1 0-0 0, Nagle 2-10 2-2 6, Jackson 2-5 2-2 6, C.Johnson 3-4 0-0 7, Morris 1-7 8-8 11, Nwoke 1-2 1-2 3. Totals 17-52 15-18 57.

Halftime—Idaho 37, Boise State 29. 3-point goals—Boise State 7-20 (Wilson 2-3, Lane 2-6, Karl 2-8, Larry 1-1, Bauscher 0-2), Idaho 8-25 (Watson 5-9, Crowell 1-2, C.Johnson 1-2, Morris 1-7, Avworo 0-1, Jackson 0-1, Nagle 0-3). Fouled out—None. Rebounds—Boise State 46 (Larry 16), Idaho 33 (Jackson, Nagle 9). Assists—Boise State 10 (Karl, Lane, Wilson 2), Idaho 9 (Avworo, C.Johnson, Watson 2). Total fouls—Boise State 13, Idaho 18. A—3,084.