POCATELLO, Idaho ? The University of Idaho frittered away a 10-point lead in the final 5:07 and a questionable call with 11-seconds remaining allowed Idaho State University to steal a 61-59 victory.
Idaho (6-7) led 54-44 with 5:07 remaining, but was outscored 17-5 by Idaho State (3-10) down the stretch. The Vandals led 59-57 with the ball and 24 seconds remaining, but an unforced turnover gave the Bengals the ball with 16 seconds remaining. Idaho State tied the game with two free throws with 11.1 second remaining after an Idaho foul, and Mac Hopson was called for a charge as the Vandals attempted to inbound the ball, giving the ball back to Idaho State. Amorrow Morgan, who scored 11 of his game-high 18 points in the second half, sealed the Bengal comeback with a 10-foot jumper with 1.5 seconds remaining.
“This is a tough one to swallow,” Idaho coach Don Verlin said. “This was the best we have played in a long time. We looked like a prepared basketball team and we didn't miss a lot of assignments. We had control for about 30 minutes of the game and we didn't execute like we should have down the stretch. That put us in a situation where it allowed someone else to control our destiny. When you do that the results don't always happen the way they should.
“I have been doing this a long time and all I can say is ?wow'. But our program will be run with class and we give Idaho State credit because they made the plays when they needed to and we didn't.”
Idaho led 54-44 with 5:07 remaining, but Idaho State scored the next seven points. The Bengals pulled within two points on three occasions before tying the game for the fourth time at 59-59 and earning the ninth lead change with the 61-59 final score.
Idaho committed four turnovers in the final 3:52.
Hopson led the Vandals in nearly every category with 16 points, seven rebounds, five assists and three steals. Kashif Watson chipped in 10 points and four assists
The first half saw eight lead changes and three ties and Idaho's 30-24 halftime lead was the largest by either team. The Vandals led 17-16 with 9:38 remaining before the lead changed four times over the next 3:03. Idaho State regained the margin at 24-23, but Idaho closed the half on a 7-0 run to earn to six-point margin.
Idaho State started the second half scoring the first five points to pull within 31-30, but the Vandals steadily increased its margin with a 15-6 run to give Idaho a 46-36 lead with 9:29 remaining. Idaho State responded with a 6-0 run, but the Vandals pushed the lead back to 10 at 54-44 to set up the events of the final 5:07.
The Vandals begin Western Athletic Conference play Saturday (Jan. 3) at Nevada at 7:05 p.m.
