Bsu Serves Up Win Over UI Cravens’ Prediction Wrong As Team Suffers 3rd Straight Loss

Boise State made Idaho men’s basketball coach Joe Cravens eat his words.

Cravens, who predicted after last month’s loss to BSU that Idaho would kick the Broncos’ fannies in the rematch, dined on crow as the BSU posted a physical 57-53 win on Friday night at the Kibbie Dome.

“I’m not going to tip my hat (to BSU), but I’ll eat my hat,” Cravens said. Then, with a big grin, he added, “This (BSU) team is for real, but I still plan on kicking their butts next time.”

Though disappointed by the loss, Idaho’s third straight, Cravens couldn’t fault his team’s effort in a foul-and turnover-filled contest viewed by 4,127.

“As I’ve said all week, that’s the type of effort I want. I’ve got no problem,” he said. “We may not win again - and you may see me working at McDonald’s next year - but if I get that type of effort that’s all I care about.”

However, BSU matched Idaho’s intensity. The Broncos (11-9) improved to 7-1 in the Big Sky Conference and they share first place with Montana State. Idaho is 9-10 and 3-5, awaiting Idaho State’s visit tonight at 7:05.

Idaho led 8-2 before the game settled into a bruising, defensive battle. The Vandals committed 14 first-half turnovers and trailed 25-22 at intermission.

BSU’s lead was 29-24 when Idaho point guard Kris Baumann scored five rapid-fire points to trigger a 10-0 run.

The persistent Broncos reclaimed the lead when Mike Tolman rebounded a missed free throw and J.D. Huleen capitalized with a layup. That put BSU on top 50-48 with 3:30 left.

“That play came back to haunt us,” Cravens said. “We’ve got to get that (rebound).”

Idaho trailed 54-51 after Reggie Rose, who was limited by a tender ankle, scored with about 30 seconds left.

BSU played keepaway as UI futilely tried to foul. About 15 seconds ticked away before Huleen was fouled.

His free throw gave BSU a 55-51 lead. Idaho’s Eddie Turner scored with 1.9 seconds remaining, but the Broncos’ Gerry Washington sealed the victory with two free throws.

Jason Jackman, with 12 points, was the lone Vandal in double figures. Idaho shot just 20 of 48 from the floor.

BSU made only 17 of 43 from the field, but connected on 18 of 22 from the line. Tolman, who hit three 3-pointers in the second half, and Joe Wyatt each scored 13 points.

“When you have a rivalry like this there aren’t going to be a lot of open shots,” BSU head coach Rod Jensen said. “It wasn’t a free-flowing game and that was to our advantage. Because of their great defense, they actually helped us control the clock.”

Boise St. 57, Idaho 53

Boise St. (11-9) - Tolman 5-6 0-0 13, Rodman 4-7 3-4 11, Van Kirk 1-1 0-0 2, Washington 0-8 4-5 4, Wyatt 4-10 4-4 13, Flanagan 0-0 0-0 0, Hagman 1-2 0-1 2, Huleen 1-7 7-8 9, Tharp 1-2 0-0 3. Totals 17-43 18-22 57.

Idaho (9-10) - Jones 1-1 0-1 2, Harrison 3-5 2-3 8, Jackman 5-11 2-3 12, Baumann 2-4 0-0 5, Dirden 2-5 3-4 7, Rose 2-9 3-5 8, Thomas 0-0 0-0 0, Turnder 4-9 1-1 9, Gardner 1-4 0-1 2. Totals 20-48 11-18 53.

Halftime-Boise St. 25, Idaho 22. 3-Point goals-Boise St. 5-16 (Tolman 3-3, Washington 0-5, Wyatt 1-5, Tharp 1-2), Idaho 2-10 (Dirden 0-2, Baumann 1-2, Rose 1-6). Fouled out-Boise St., Flanagan. Rebounds-Boise St. 27 (Huleen 8), Idaho 35 (Harrison 10). Assists-Boise St. 8 (Washington 3), Idaho 7 (Baumann 2). Total fouls-Boise St. 19, Idaho 22. A-4,127.

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