Cougars Can’t Catch UI Vandals Pull Upset By Stalling Fontaine

Washington State scoring machine Isaac Fontaine is one of the most innovative offensive threats ever to come through the Palouse.

But even Fontaine and his 21.9-point average can’t score without the basketball.

Idaho’s defense separated the two on Tuesday night and stymied the Cougars 73-66 before a spirited Kibbie Dome crowd of 5,064.

UI’s Eddie Turner, who scored 18 points on an array of floating jumpers off the dribble, and Kris Baumann, who scored 13, slowed Fontaine.

Fontaine finished with 16 points, but took only 11 shots.

“I just face-guarded him the whole time,” Turner said.

“It’s what we call ‘no catch’,” UI coach Kermit Davis said. “Sixteen points, that’s a heck of a deal.”

For Idaho, the win vaporized last week’s discouraging two-game road pratfall. The Vandals improved to 11-13, avenged a 69-57 loss to WSU and, with the surprise return of guard Reggie Rose, take momentum into a home game with North Texas on Thursday.

The loss dropped WSU to 11-12 before a Saturday road date with rival Washington. The Cougars have lost seven of eight games.

“They just played a lot harder this time,” WSU’s Carlos Daniel said. “They just came at us until things started going their way.”

It started going Idaho’s way after Baumann poked the ball away from Fontaine for a turnover. WSU led 44-38 at the time and had Fontaine isolated on the wing.

“They were physical with me, holding and grabbing me, basic stuff I’ve seen all year,” Fontaine said. “But they were able to do it successfully.”

From there, UI’s Jason Jackman scored 10 consecutive points and Troy Thompson used one of his 15 rebounds on a tip-in that put the Vandals up 50-44.

WSU’s scoring drought lasted 6:30 as unsightly turnovers and errant jump shots piled up.

The Vandals led 64-52 before WSU’s full-court press created three turnovers and point guard Blake Pengelly dropped in a pair of 3-pointers.

UI went cold at the foul line, helping the Cougars move within 66-64 with 1:19 left.

Jackman’s free throw made it a three-point spread and Daniel was called, somewhat curiously, for an illegal screen. Turner buried both foul shots and Thompson’s second-effort tip-in sealed matters, sending Davis down the sideline pumping his fist.

“They deserved the win,” WSU coach Kevin Eastman said. “I don’t think the slant should be on what Washington State didn’t do as much as Idaho deserves some positive pub.”

Said Davis: “I’ve been at Idaho three years and that’s maybe the best win I’ve had here. It’s really comparable to the two games (in 1989-90 during Davis’ first stint as coach) when we won to go to the NCAA Tournament. We needed it so desperately.

“That’s a good team we beat. The way I measure it up, Washington State would win the Big West or would have a great chance to win it.”

Jackman worked feverishly for 21 points and nine rebounds. Rose, who had been sidelined for more than a month with a torn knee ligament, provided an emotional spark that had been absent. He was cleared to play at mid-afternoon.

Rose played just 6 minutes and wasn’t at full speed, but his impact was apparent. WSU was led by Daniel’s 18 points and 10 rebounds.

UI led 18-13 with 8 minutes remaining in the first half before suffering a 4-minute dry spell. WSU barged in front 30-20 as Pengelly chipped in four points and Chris Crosby five in a 17-2 run.

Idaho 73, Washington St. 66

Washington St. (11-12) - Daniel 8-16 2-4 18, Fontaine 5-11 5-8 16, Johnson 4-9 0-0 8, De la Fuente 0-1 4-6 4, Jackson 0-2 0-0 0, Pengelly 3-9 1-2 10, Archibald 0-2 0-0 0, Crosby 3-5 0-0 8, Slotemaker 1-4 0-0 2. Totals 24-59 12-20 66.

Idaho (11-13) - Thompson 3-7 4-4 10, Byrne 1-2 0-0 2, Jackman 9-15 3-4 21, Baumann 3-11 5-6 13, Turner 7-12 4-6 18, Scott 0-1 0-0 0, Elliott 2-3 3-8 9, Rose 0-1 0-2 0, Harris 0-2 0-0 0. Totals 25-54 19-30 73.

Halftime-Washington St. 32, Idaho 27. 3-Point goals- Washington St. 6-19 (Fontaine 1-5, De la Fuente 0-1, Pengelly 3-7, Archibald 0-2, Crosby 2-3, Slotemaker 0-1), Idaho 4-12 (Baumann 2-7, Turner 0-1, Elliott 2-3, Harris 0-1). Fouled out- None. Rebounds-Washington St. 32 (Daniel 10), Idaho 40 (Thompson 15). Assists-Washington St. 10 (Fontaine, Pengelly 3), Idaho 6 (Jackman, Turner 2). Total fouls-Washington St. 23, Idaho 18. A-5,064.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color photo