Louisiana Tech big man Millsap boxes out energized Idaho

MOSCOW, Idaho – Compared to Thursday’s loss to New Mexico State, the effort of the University of Idaho men’s basketball team was better in almost every phase of the game Saturday.

Unfortunately for Idaho, the competition was better. In particular, Paul Millsap, a 6-foot-8, 245-pound rebounding machine carried Louisiana Tech to a 66-61 victory in front of an announced crowd of 1,062 at the Cowan Spectrum.

Millsap, who has led the NCAA in rebounding the past two years, hauled in 15 rebounds, 11 offensive – including two late putbacks that gave the Bulldogs (9-6, 2-0 WAC) breathing room against the energized Vandals (3-9, 0-2).

“He’s a pro,” Idaho coach Leonard Perry said of Millsap, who finished with 21 points and four blocks, three of those coming late in the game. “Anytime you are playing defense against a guy and doing everything textbook and perfect, and the kid still effortlessly makes the play, that’s a pro.”

Millsap has 52 career double-doubles in 74 games. He looked into his NBA prospects last year after his sophomore season but was advised to return to college. Millsap, who passed Karl Malone on La Tech’s rebounding list, is one of five players to win consecutive NCAA rebounding titles. The others are Jerry Lucas, Artis Gilmore, Kermit Washington and Leroy Wright.

“You guys are seeing it for the first time,” Louisiana Tech coach Keith Richard said. “I’ve been watching it for 2½ years, and it is something unique. He’s not a great half-court offensive player, which people think he is because of his numbers, but he is a tremendous offensive rebounder, maybe the best in the country.”

He’ll get no argument from the Vandals, who played a sagging zone defense to effectively limit Millsap’s touches, but not his ability to collar rebounds.

“His offensive rebounds were the biggest difference in the game,” Idaho forward Mike Kale said. “You know that kid is going to do something with that much talent. He’s just a phenomenal athlete.”

Idaho continually challenged Millsap on the defensive end and often had success. He picked up two first-half fouls and sat out the last four-plus minutes. However, Louisiana Tech extended its lead from 24-20 to 32-24 with Millsap on the bench, despite Kale’s scoring nine of his career-high 10 points in the first half.

The Vandals were crisp offensively for most of the second half and took their only lead, 49-47, when Keoni Watson dished to Desmond Nwoke for a layup with 8:20 remaining.

Over the next 4½ minutes, Millsap had three blocks and two offensive rebounds that he converted into buckets, pushing La Tech in front 58-53 with 2:45 left.

“I was just trying to keep doing what I’ve been doing whole year – help my team, rebound and get second shots,” Millsap said.

Idaho was within three after Nwoke’s putback dunk and had a chance to tie, but Watson took an ill-advised 22-footer early in the shot clock that was well off the mark with 38 seconds left.

The Bulldogs made 6 of 8 free throws to seal their second straight WAC road win.

“Every night these kids lay it out there,” Perry said. “We made a lot of progress from (Thursday). If we get this game on the court Thursday, I really believe we win that game.”

Idaho shot 49 percent, well above its season average of 42, but continued to have turnover problems. The 5-10 Watson, who collected 10 rebounds and 10 points, and senior guard Tanoris Shepard each had five turnovers.

Louisiana Tech 66, Idaho 61

Louisiana Tech (9-6, 2-0)—Wilds 1-5 0-0 3, Haskins 1-8 6-9 8, Elliott 3-7 7-8 16, Dean 3-7 0-0 6, Millsap 9-12 3-4 21, McKenzie 2-9 0-0 5, Washington 0-2 0-0 0, McDowell 0-2 0-0 0, Richardson 3-4 1-2 7, Disy 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 22-56 17-23 66.

Idaho (3-9, 0-2)—Watson 4-9 2-2 10, Shepard 5-13 0-0 11, Ledbetter 2-4 0-0 6, Dubois 5-6 0-0 10, Nwoke 3-5 0-0 6, Forge 0-2 0-0 0, Bowden-Key 0-0 0-0 0, Vrzina 2-4 4-4 8, Kale 3-6 4-5 10. Totals 24-49 10-11 61.

Halftime—Louisiana Tech 32, Idaho 24. 3-point goals—Louisiana Tech 5-16 (Elliott 3-6, McKenzie 1-2, Wilds 1-3, Dean 0-1, McDowell 0-2, Washington 0-2), Idaho 3-9 (Ledbetter 2-4, Shepard 1-3, Forge 0-1, Watson 0-1). Fouled out—Dubois. Rebounds—Louisiana Tech 37 (Millsap 15), Idaho 27 (Watson 10). Assists—Louisiana Tech 12 (Dean 5), Idaho 12 (Watson 6). Total fouls—Louisiana Tech 16, Idaho 21. A—1,062.