Idaho Turns In Impressive Performance, Still Falls Short Against Nevada

The final score of Saturday’s Big West Conference game between Idaho and Nevada didn’t reflect how close the game was.

The Vandals, last in the Eastern Division, fell behind early but rallied to push the Wolf Pack to the limit before a late-game flurry gave Nevada a 78-67 victory before a rowdy crowd of 7,130 at Lawlor Events Center.

Idaho falls to 12-16 overall, 4-10 in the Big West. Nevada kept its share of the division lead with a 17-7 overall mark, 11-3 in league.

“It shows a lot about the character of this team,” UI coach Kermit Davis said. “On the road, with no tournament aspirations, down 21-7 … some teams would have pitched it in.”

The Vandals didn’t, and it was a brief but inspirational chat with Davis that pulled UI within 33-32 at half.

“Coach told us what we needed to do to win,” said center Jason Jackman, who led Idaho with 24 points and five rebounds. “That motivated us. We can play with the best in the league when we do what we’re supposed to do.”

UI’s Eddie Turner had 21 points.

Kevin Bryne had 10 and Robert Scott finished with eight.

Nevada 78 Idaho 67

Idaho (12-16) - Thompson 0-2 1-2 1, Byrne 4-8 2-4 10, Jackman 8-15 8-8 24, Baumann 0-0 0-0 0, Turner, 7-10 7-10 21, Elliott 1-4 0-0 3, Scott 3-3 2-4 8, Harris 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 23-43 20-28 67.

Nevada (17-7) - Hand 5-12 3-4 13, Culbertson 4-9 4-8 14, Morgan 5-6 0-1 10, Carroll 3-7 0-0 8, Brown 8-9 2-2 22, Zapata 0-0 0-0 0, Allen 0-0 1-2 1, Wilson 2-2 0-0 4, Barnett 2-7 0-0 6, Pienkoski 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 29-52 10-17 78

Halftime-Nevada 33, Idaho 32. 3-point goals-Idaho 1-3 (Elliott 1-3), Nevada 10-19 (Culbertson 2-3, Carroll 2-5, Brown 4-5, Barnett 2-6). Fouled out-None. Rebounds-Idaho 25 (Jackman, Elliott, Scott 5), Nevada 29 (Morgan 9). Assists- Idaho 16 (Scott 5), Nevada 23 (Brown 7). Total fouls-Idaho 13, Nevada 17. Technicals-Hand. A-7,130.