Idaho falls to CSU Bakersfield 68-45

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – Idaho struggled early and could not recover, falling to CSU Bakersfield 68-45 on Tuesday night. Turnovers were the main issue for the Vandals (1-1), as they committed 20 to CSUB’s (2-0) 10.

“CSUB did a great job of applying pressure, taking us out of our sets,” said head coach Don Verlin. “Ultimately, this falls on me. I didn’t get our guys ready for this. I didn’t get them ready like they needed to be. We have to use this as a learning experience. What we need to do is sustain our effort and sustain our intensity.”

The roles were reversed from the season opener, as the Roadrunners went on an early run to take a double-digit lead in the opening minutes. The Vandals fought to keep the score close, eventually trailing 38-26 at the break. CSU Bakersfield was on fire from deep in the first half, with Damiyne Durham connecting on 4-of-6 attempts, including a couple from well beyond NBA-range.

The second half was much of the same, with Idaho scoring its first bucket four minutes in. The Roadrunners kept up their hot shooting, ballooning the lead to as many as 26.

Victor Sanders was the lone Vandal to score in double-figures, finishing with 10 points and two rebounds. Pat Ingram grabbed six rebounds, a team-high.

Idaho shot 30 percent (12-of-40) from the field and 26.7 percent (4-of-15) from 3-point range. CSU-Bakersfield connected on 21-of-51 (41.2%) field goal attempts and 9-of-18 (50%) 3’s. The Roadrunners held a narrow advantage on the glass, outrebounding Idaho 31-30.

The Vandals will get a shot at redemption against the Roadrunners, with CSU Bakersfield coming to Memorial Gym on December 2.

Idaho returns home to take on Linfield on Saturday night at 7.