Vandals’ woes on the road continue with loss at Fullerton

FULLERTON, Calif. – Neither the best offensive performance in Tanoris Shepard’s collegiate career nor a season-low four turnovers could keep Idaho from losing another road game Thursday night.

Cal State Fullerton made Shepard’s 24 points irrelevant in an 84-74 Big West Conference victory in front of 2,076 at Titan Gym.

The Vandals’ sixth loss in seven road games could prove pivotal in their efforts to get a first-round bye in the Big West’s basketball tournament.

The top four teams receive those byes, and fifth-place Idaho (8-17, 6-8) trails fourth-place Fullerton (14-8, 8-5) by 21/2 games with four to play.

Senior guard Shepard made 8 of 17 shots from the field, including 3 of 6 from 3-point range. Anton Lyons added 18 points for Idaho and Dandrick Jones, the conference’s leading scorer as the week began, finished with 16 points.

Shepard attributed his success to playing with confidence.

“The coaches told me before the game, ‘Just take what they give you.’ If it’s a pass or a shot, take it with confidence,” he said.

But the Vandals inadvertently made coach Leonard Perry a prophet. Before the game, Perry said the team wouldn’t have a chance if it didn’t get back in transition.

Fullerton shot 62.5 percent in the second half, 54.8 percent for the game. The Titans also grabbed 12 offensive rebounds in outrebounding Idaho 42-27.

“We didn’t get back on transition defense and we gave up too many second shots,” Shepard said. “With the type of team we’ve got, we can’t afford to give up 17, 18 offensive rebounds and still win.

“It’s pretty much impossible for us to do so.”

Idaho held a 15-12 lead when Fullerton used a 12-0 blitz to move ahead 24-15 with 11:11 left in the first half. Jerod Haynes’ layin forged a 34-all tie with 3:21 left in the half, but a 10-1 surge extended the Titans’ lead to 44-35 at halftime.

After making six of their first 10 field-goal attempts, the Vandals converted only six of their next 19 in the first half.

Idaho trailed by as many as 13 points before narrowing the deficit to 75-69 with 2:44 to play. But Ralphy Holmes shoveled a layin, and Jermaine Harper followed with a 3-pointer to give Fullerton an 80-69 lead with 1:59 left.

Holmes finished with 21 points and 11 rebounds, as the Titans earned their sixth victory in seven games. Jamaal Brown added 20 points and Bobby Brown scored 19 points.

The home attendance was Fullerton’s largest in 12 years.

Cal State Fullerton 84, Idaho 74

Idaho (8-17, 6-8)–Lyons 8-15 1-2 18, Davis 3-8 0-0 6, Jones 6-20 2-5 16, Haynes 3-5 0-0 8, Shepard 8-17 5-5 24, Higdon 0-1 0-0 0, Johnson 0-0 0-0 0, Kahrimanovic 0-1 0-0 0, Kale 1-1 0-0 2. Totals 29-68 8-9 74.

Cal State Fullerton (14-8, 8-5)–King 5-13 0-0 11, Holmes 9-17 3-4 21, J.Brown 9-13 2-3 20, B.Brown 7-13 2-3 19, Harper 3-5 0-0 9, Burns 1-1 1-2 2, Clemmons 0-0 0-0 0, Cottrell 0-0 1-2 1. Totals 34-62 9-14 84.

Halftime–Cal State Fullerton 44, Idaho 35. 3-point goals–Idaho 8-18 (Shepard 3-6, Haynes 2-4, Jones 2-5, Lyons 1-1, Higdon 0-1, Kahrimanovic 0-0), Cal State Fullerton 7-19 (Harper 3-4, B.Brown 3-8, King 1-4, J.Brown 0-1, Homles 0-2). Fouled out–None. Rebounds–Idaho 27 (Lyons 8), Cal State Fullerton 42 (Holmes 11). Assists–Idaho 19 (Haynes 4), Cal State Fullerton 24 (B.Brown 6). Total fouls–Idaho 15, Cal State Fullerton 11. A–4128.