Idaho stumbles at Northridge

The Idaho Vandals started an important three-game portion of their schedule with a 95-93 los s at Cal State Northridge. UI (4-2) led by 14 in the second half, 63-49, but let it slip away and eventually trailed by eight before a furious (and ultimately futile) late-game rally.

Kashif Watson scored a team-high 21 points (on 15-of-15 shooting from the free-throw line, the second-best mark in the NCAAs this season) while Mac Hopson had 19 and Steffan Johnson had 16. Kenny Daniels scored a career-high 39 for the Matadors.

The Vandals play Portland on Sunday at 5 at Memorial Gym before traveling to rival Washington State on Wednesday.