FARGO, N.D. - The University of Idaho men's basketball team found its offense Tuesday evening but struggled on the defensive glass as it fell 71-64 to North Dakota State at the Bison Sports Arena.  The Vandals fall to 3-13 on the season.

"We had the game where we wanted it and had opportunity after opportunity," Idaho head coach Leonard Perry said. "I'm proud of the way the kids competed all the way to the end."

Idaho shot 50 percent for the game (24-of-48) and 57 percent (8-of-14) from the three point line, but the Bison were able to pull away from the Vandals with 22 second chance points.  North Dakota State out-rebounded Idaho 41-to-24, including 20 offensive rebounds. 

"The difference in the game was their offensive rebounding," Perry said. "But 20 offensive rebounds is something we can control.  It's something we can work on and improve on."

The Bison went up 5-0 early in the first half before the Vandals responded with an 8-2 run over three minutes to take their first lead of the game at 8-7.  The Vandal lead didn't last long as Brett Winkelman knocked down a 3-pointer on the Bison's next possession.  Idaho eventually retook the lead at the 10:31 mark on a Keoni Watson jumper and pushed its lead to three at 16-13.  From there the two teams recorded five lead changes and four ties.  Idaho was able to establish a four point lead at the 2:07 mark after a Watson 3-pointer, but North Dakota State went on a 7-2 run to close the half and took a 36-35 lead into halftime.

"We were ready for this game.  We changed up our defense and it confused them," Perry said.

The Vandals shot 52 percent (14-of-27) from the floor in the first half and was 5-of-9 (56 percent) from the three point line.  North Dakota State held a 19-12 rebounding margin at the break, including 12 offensive rebounds.

"We gave up 12 offensive rebounds in the first half and that is the only reason that we weren't up 12 or 13 points on this team," Perry said.

North Dakota State scored the first four points of the second half to increase its lead to five before Idaho got its first field goal of the half at the 16:40 mark. Watson scored all six of Idaho's points in the first seven minutes before Tanoris Shepard made a layup at the 12:42 mark to tie the game at 43.  The Bison again pushed their lead to five points at 48-43 before Shepard and Matt Forge knocked down back-to-back three pointers for Idaho to give the team its first lead of the second half, 49-48.  North Dakota State regained the lead on its next possession and again increased the lead to five points with 8:37 remaining. 

The Vandals went the next three minutes without a field goal before Shepard hit a jumper at the 6:04 mark to cut the lead to two points.  The Bison went on a 9-1 run from there and took its biggest lead of the game at 65-55 with 3:04 left.  David Dubois completed a three point play at the 2:09 mark to end Idaho???s drought and cut the lead to seven, but the Vandals couldn't get a defensive stop or rebound down the stretch as the Bison pulled away for the 71-64 win.

Igor Vrzina did not make the trip to Fargo because of the stomach flu, and Idaho was forced to rely on a three man rotation at the forward position.  David Dubois, Desmond Nwoke and Mike Kale combined for 17 points and nine rebounds for the Vandals.

Keoni Watson led the Vandals with 19 points on 8-of-16 shooting, six assists and four steals.  Tanoris Shepard added 16 points and six assists for Idaho while Dubois chipped in 15 points and four rebounds.

North Dakota State was led by Ben Woodside who connected on 7-of-14 shots, including 5-of-9 from beyond the three point line.  Lucas Moormann led the Bison with 12 rebounds.

The Vandals (3-13) return to WAC play on Sat., Jan. 28 as they host Boise State at the Cowan Spectrum beginning at 2:05 p.m.

"I think we have our kids believing now that we are talented enough to win some games," Perry said.  "We improved during this game and I'm looking forward to Saturday's game.  I fully expect to win this game on Saturday."