Vandals suffer tough setback

MOSCOW, Idaho – The Idaho Vandals have lost 19 men’s basketball games this season, none tougher to swallow than their 72-70 overtime loss to Fresno State on Saturday at the Cowan Spectrum.

But they gained an appreciative fan who also happens to be their coach.

“A couple of games ago when we lost, I didn’t scold them, but I did tell our team that I couldn’t be more disappointed because of what we did in the second half and how we didn’t come out mentally ready to play,” Idaho coach George Pfeifer said. “I told them after this game it was really enjoyable to be your coach. A break or two here, or a change (call) goes the other way. … I thought we got some tough breaks, but we battled.”

The Vandals battled without Keoni Watson, who is suspended indefinitely, according to Pfeifer. Watson, who leads Idaho in scoring at 17.1 points per game, wasn’t allowed in the building.

“Hopefully, he’ll find his academic pathway and join the team on Monday,” Pfeifer said. “I love Keoni, but I want to see him graduate and he needs to make a better effort in the classroom.”

After a rocky start, Idaho (3-19, 1-9 Western Athletic Conference) rallied and held the lead most of the way against the athletic Bulldogs (16-7, 5-5).

Fresno State, limited to 12 points in the first half of its last game, had 13 points in the first 2:40. The Bulldogs led 13-5, but Idaho responded with a 14-2 run. When Michael Crowell hit a 3-pointer in the middle of the spurt, all five Vandals starters had scored.

Idaho had one of its best shooting halves of the season (48.1 percent) and stretched its lead to as many as eight before settling for a 35-34 halftime edge. Once, Idaho’s five players on the floor had a combined scoring average of 21.4 points.

Both teams’ shooting percentages dipped into the low 20s in the second half. Idaho maintained a small lead until Quinton Hosley hit a pair of free throws with 5:31 left to give the Bulldogs their first lead since early in the first half.

Watson’s absence was perhaps most noticeable in the closing minutes and in overtime. True freshman point guard O.J. Avworo, who gamely played all 45 minutes and finished with nine rebounds and eight assists, found himself with the ball and time dwindling on the shot clock on several occasions. He committed one turnover and had his runner in the lane swatted on another.

Idaho trailed 58-55, but got a break when Trevor Morris was fouled on a 3-point attempt with 18.4 seconds left. Morris, who equaled his career high with 16 points, made all three free throws and Idaho exhaled when Bulldogs forward Dominic McGuire missed from close range in the closing seconds.

Idaho forged ties in OT, but had no answer when Fresno State guard Ja’Vance Coleman, who had missed all six of his shot attempts, canned a 3-pointer from 23 feet over the 6-foot-5 Johnson’s outstretched arms. That gave Fresno State a 65-62 lead with 1:05 left. The Bulldogs hit 7 of 8 free throws to hold off the Vandals.

Fresno St. 72, UI 70 (OT)

Fresno State (16-7, 5-5)—Bell 4-8 1-4 11, McGuire 8-17 4-6 21, Miller 3-6 1-2 9, Hosley 3-12 7-8 14, Coleman 1-7 8-8 11, Taylor 0-1 0-0 0, Hernandez 1-5 0-0 3, Parker 1-5 0-0 3. Totals 21-61 21-28 72.

Idaho (3-19, 1-9)—Crowell 5-7 2-2 15, Avworo 1-6 2-2 5, Nagle 3-11 0-0 7, Jackson 6-11 2-2 14, Morris 4-14 5-7 16, C.Johnson 1-4 0-0 3, Webb 1-5 0-0 3, M.Johnson 2-3 0-0 4, Nwoke 1-3 1-1 3. Totals 24-64 12-14 70.

Halftime—Idaho 35, Fresno State 34. Regulation—Fresno State 58, Idaho 58. 3-point goals—Fresno State 9-28 (Bell 2-4, Miller 2-5, McGuire 1-1, Hernandez 1-4, Parker 1-4, Hosley 1-4, Coleman 1-6), Idaho 10-31 (Crowell 3-4, Morris 3-10, Avworo 1-2, C.Johnson 1-3, Webb 1-4, Nagle 1-6, M.Johnson 0-1, Jackson 0-1). Fouled out—M.Johnson, Morris. Rebounds—Fresno State 39 (Hosley, McGuire 14), Idaho 48 (Avworo 9). Assists—Fresno State 12 (McGuire 7), Idaho 17 (Avworo 8). Total fouls—Fresno State 14, Idaho 25. A—1,310.