Vandals’ shooting falters

ORANGEBURG, S.C. – The Idaho Vandals men’s basketball team, which entered the week as the sixth-best 3-point field-goal shooting team in the nation at 43 percent, hit just 3 of 28 attempts in falling to South Carolina State 66-59 Wednesday night in non-conference play.

The Vandals (4-5) were also outrebounded 51-40 by the Bulldogs (5-3) of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, who picked up their first Division I victory of the season. Twenty of the Bulldogs’ rebounds came on the offensive boards, leading to 15 second-chance points.

Mac Hopson had a game-high 16 points to lead Idaho. Brandon Wiley added 14 points and nine rebounds.

Jason Flagler and Westley Telfare scored 12 points apiece to lead South Carolina State. Jimmy Williams and Brandon Smalls each scored 10 points for the Bulldogs (5-3).

Idaho missed all 12 of its 3-point attempts in the first half.

The Bulldogs led 29-25 at halftime in a contest that was close throughout.

The Bulldogs hit 15 of 21 free throws in the final 1:32 to keep the Vandals at bay.

“We have to give South Carolina State credit because they did a good job of changing up their defense and not letting us get comfortable,” Idaho coach Don Verlin said. “We had some wide-open looks and just didn’t knock them down.

“I talked to the players after the game about character. Our character is going to show a lot during this season. We have three games coming up at home, we have Vandal fans coming to watch us play, and we need to get to work.”

The teams meet again Wednesday on Idaho’s home court.